Newsletter - April 2008

Help develop Operation Noah's leadership: participate in the May 10th AGM Greetings from the Operation Noah staff team (all four of us! Ann, Mark, Kari and Helen)! We have a number of important updates regarding our first AGM and other upcoming events.
Leadership for Operation Noah NASA's James Hansen	From the Director In a 'startling reappraisal' of the threat posed by climate change, one of the world's leading climate scientists, Dr. James Hansen, has said that if 'humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilisation developed' then we will need to cut CO2 emissions much more radically than currently proposed. When Operation Noah's current board of trustees, after months of careful and considered debate, defined the campaign's 'ask' of the British government, they opted for a radical demand: 90% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. I think its fair to say that some in the green movement mocked this goal, and challenged its apparently radical aims. James Hansen's warnings indicate that far from being off-mark, the board was exercising real leadership. Now the board is up for election, and you have a chance of participating in that process. If you wish to stand for election you could help to lead this growing movement of campaigners based in, or linked to faith organisations. The current board is not complacent. Members are aware that we need more women, more representatives from black churches, and more young people. We are also inviting scientists and theologians to step forward and play a leadership role. The process for nominating and electing is outlined below. Please read carefully, and submit nominations to the Operation Noah office by the 2nd May, 2008. Ann Pettifor
Help elect Operation Noah's leaders	Operation Noah's democratic process On the 10th May, 2008, at the Church of St. Mary and St. John, Oxford, Operation Noah will hold its first AGM as a newly constituted body. Under its rules, the founding trustees must retire. (However, they are entitled to be nominated and re-elected for one year only (up to a maximum of five years).) Under Operation Noah's Articles of Association elections to the board must take place at the AGM on the 10th May, 2008. Up to 12 Trustees must be elected at the AGM. In addition, and in order to ensure balance on the board, the Trustees have the power to co-opt additional trustees (e.g. experts on the science of climate change; on theology etc.) Nominations must by submitted in writing to the ON office by the 2nd May, 2008. Proposed composition of the new board A vital, and indeed the only qualification for election to the board is that any nominee should be committed to ensuring that the campaign achieves its goals. In addition the founding trustees are concerned that the new board should be representative, where possible, of the major denominations and of different strands of Christianity. As guidance the board would like to see more of the following skills and demographics represented on the new ON board: More women, to ensure gender balance As good representation as possible from the four nations, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland Representatives from the black majority churches Younger people, e.g. students and/or people in their 20s An economist A scientist (possibly someone connected with the Environmental Change Institute) A theologian Someone from a church development agency Someone with a detailed understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework needed for a "Zero Carbon" Britain Someone with experience of non-violent affirmative action for change A senior church leader How to vote at the AGM The new board will be appointed by Operation Noah's supporter members. To vote at the AGM supporters will need to a) register as supporters on the Operation Noah website and b) register to attend the AGM. If you do not have a computer you may register by writing to Operation Noah, at the Grayston Centre, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT. ON does not currently have a requirement for supporters to pay subscriptions. This will be a matter for the AGM to debate and decide. However, the campaign is heavily dependent for its success on donations, and so supporters are encouraged to make a contribution by a) becoming an Ark-angel and donating Â£20 on the website or b) making a separate donation via the website www.operationnoah.org. How the board will be made up The board takes the form of a 'college' with three distinct sections nominated in the first instance by three different constituencies, but elected at the AGM by all those supporters present. At the AGM a minimum of 1, but no more than 4 trustees can be elected to each section of the board. How to nominate to the board There are three categories of people entitled to nominate individuals to the board. The first two are Christian Ecology Link and the churches' Environmental Issue Network - both founding organisations of the campaign. The third category is made up of supporters and supporter groups. Each category can nominate persons, who will then be elected by everyone present at the AGM. a) Christian Ecology Link (CEL) is entitled to nominate no less than three people to the board, but can nominate more, as there is no maximum. b) Environmental Issues Network (EIN) is entitled to nominate no less than six, but possibly more, as there is no maximum number of nominations. c) ON individual supporters and groups are entitled to nominate a minimum of three, but possibly more candidates, for election by the whole AGM to the board. Timing of nominations Nominations must be submitted to the Operation Noah office no later than the 2nd of May, 2008. These nominations will then be notified to all of ON's registered supporters, via email. How the board will be elected On the 10th May, at the AGM, all the supporters present will vote for elections of a maximum of four people to each of the three sections of the board. We want to thank you for participating in this important, democratic process for electing a board of trustees to oversee the work of the campaign. And I personally look forward to meeting you all at the AGM. Ann Pettifor 7th April, 2008
Are you coming to the AGM?	Operation Noah's first AGM will kick off at St Mary and St John Church in Cowley Road, Oxford at 12:30 p.m. on the 10th of May with drinks and snacks and a viewing of the highly praised documentary God is Green by Operation Noah campaign strategist Mark Dowd. It will continue with talks, singing and poetry and fellowship. You don't want to miss it! In order to help us plan accurately, if you are going to attend the AGM, please RSVP at campaigns@operationnoah.org. We would be happy to help you find other folks in your area to travel with. Just let us know!
Mark Lynas drops out, but David Wasdell and Ruth Jarman drop in!	Regrettably, Mark Lynas who had been scheduled to speak at the AGM is unable to attend. Michael Northcott, the theologian, was also invited to attend, but is currently in New Zealand on a stint at a university. Both send sincere apologies, and Michael has indicated that he will be back in the UK soon, and would be delighted to be nominated to the Operation Noah board. David Wasdell, who is the director of the Meridian Programme and has both a scientific and theological background, and Ruth Jarman, a member of the steering committee of Christian Ecology Link, will now both make presentations to the meeting.
We need singers for the AGM!	Our AGM is not going to be your usual stuffy, bureaucratic affair. No, it's going to be a joyful occasion, with singing just one of the activities that will help bond us together to face the big tasks that lie ahead. However our choir mistress needs more male singers. Ask any African and they will tell you that all you need to sing is your voice. So please volunteer and help us amplify everyone's voices.
Greenbelt - we need volunteers	If you're a Greenbelt groupie, you will already be looking forward to it. If you are planning to attend again this year, Operation Noah is looking forpeople to volunteer a couple of hours on our stall during the four days. You will need to know something about our work, and its importance; and must be able to navigate around our website, to help punters register. If you can offer some time, we would be really pleased. Write to our co-ordinator, Kari Stewart at kari@operationnoah.org if you are interested, and she will be in touch with you.)
Operation Noah is blessed by two bishops, a moderator-elect and an abbess	We have had some ringing endorsements: one from the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, another from the Anglican Bishop of London, famous for signing a pledge on TV not to fly for a year - a pledge to which he held firmly, and a third from the Moderator-elect of the URC. This is what they have to say about Operation Noah: Bishop of London, Richard Chartres: "Operation Noah brings together a rainbow coalition drawn from across the faith spectrum. They combine a rigorous respect for the scientific facts of the case together with campaigning passion. If we want to be part of the solution of the problem of Climate Change, Operation Noah is a good ship to enlist on." Revd John M Marsh, Moderator-Elect of the General Assembly (2008-2010), the United Reformed Church: "We need Operation Noah to make us listen properly and help us understand better why we must address climate change issues now. 'Single issue' campaign organisations can be a real pain - and so they should be. We don't expect to enjoy understanding and adapting to climate change, but realise that hopeful progress often involves creative pain. Operation Noah deserves support" Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith:Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith: "It is becoming very clear now that dealing with the environmental effect of climate change is an urgent and important issue. Whilst generally there is a much greater awareness of this than a few years ago, clearly much still needs to be done. Groups such as Noah, which ground the scientific evidence in a sound Christian theology of Creation, have a vital role in continuing to raise awareness, especially amongst Catholics and other Christian group." In addition we have had a letter from the Abbess of Poor Clare Monastery, Nottingham, promising to pray for our work.
Bolton Faith and Climate Change - 19 April	Operation Noah is organising an event with local churches, other faiths, local politicians and schools, in Bolton on April 19th, that will be a template for future events around the country. It is being organised by Mark Dowd, who is going back to his roots, and launching the first in this series of events in his home town, Bolton. If you would like Operation Noah to organise a similar event in your town, please contact us. See our website for more about the Bolton event. And if you are anywhere near Bolton on April 19th, DON'T MISS IT!
Come and make your voice heard! - 22 April	The Climate Change Bill is set to be law by summer, but it is still not strong enough. Come and make your voice heard at a public meeting on 22nd April from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ. Speakers include: Hilary Benn (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Peter Ainsworth (Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Tony Juniper (Director of Friends of the Earth). The discussion will be chaired by Anne McElvoy, Executive Editor of the Evening Standard. Your help is needed to do the following: Come to the public meeting to show you want a stronger Climate Change Bill. It is free and no booking is required. Bring others - family, friends, neighbours, colleagues. It's crucial that this event is packed! It is critical that we do all we can to press for 90% reduction in emissions by 2030 and inclusion of aviation and shipping in the bill. We look forward to seeing you there!
Opportunity
Money Makes the World go Round! Operation Noah needs your financial support - and a new treasurer	Donate: As we grow and campaigning work expands, we need more financial support, and help with financial management. If you can give, please do. We know that because of work and family commitments many of you cannot give of time, but instead wish to show support by making a donation. You can become an Arkangel by donating Â£20 or more here. Can you give time? Are you a retired accountant? Or if not, do you have a keen eye for some simple accounting? Could you help us fundraise? Operation Noah needs a treasurer. This is a relatively simple task of keeping an eye on a modest annual budget and helping us fundraise. For more info, email our office manager, Kari Stewart: kari@operationnoah.org
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