By Clare Fussell, Operation Noah’s Bright Now Campaign Director

Did you notice that this year the seasons seemed to change overnight? In the UK, we went to sleep at the end of August under sunny skies and hazy warmth, only to wake up on 1st September to the arrival of rain, darkening evenings, and a desire to dig out the fleecy slippers and curl up with a good book!

This speedy transition into autumn has also meant a sudden arrival of the Season of Creation, which is the annual space carved out in the Church calendar to reflect on, celebrate and take action for God’s glorious creation. 

My church is marking the Season of Creation with a month of ‘all age’ services focusing on different environmental issues each week. So far they’ve been prayerful, diverse and just a little chaotic as the children enthusiastically take part! Together we’re planting bulbs, creating an interactive prayer station on plastic waste, challenging each other to annually measure our carbon footprints, and – this year, for the first time – engaging with the faith letter calling for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty.

This has met with some questions: after all it’s not a phrase that rolls off the tongue, especially when referred to by its acronym FFNPT! But it’s an important way that churches can honour and protect God’s creation. 

Why do we need a new Treaty?

Despite decades of climate agreements, we are still dependent on coal, oil and gas for our energy, and we know that this is the primary driver of the climate crisis. Although the much-lauded Paris Agreement clearly outlines what’s needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, governments still plan to produce around 110% more fossil fuels by 2030 than would be consistent with this agreed upon goal.

Globally we aren’t on track, and progress is too slow. No fossil fuel producing country wants to be the first to commit to leaving their resources in the ground, and therefore we urgently need a new framework for nation states to commit to phasing out fossil fuels in a timely, just and equitable manner. 

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a global initiative proposed to address the climate crisis by managing and eventually phasing out the production and use of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas. Modelled after the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it seeks to ensure a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. The treaty aims to fill the gaps left by current international climate agreements, which focus more on reducing emissions rather than curbing fossil fuel production itself. 

What can churches do?

Churches can add their voice to a global letter, signed by hundreds of faith institutions worldwide – including Operation Noah – which calls on governments to commit to leaving reserves untapped and transitioning to renewable energy as well as putting pressure on other nations to make fossil fuels extraction politically and economically untenable. 

This Season of Creation marked a Global Day of Action on 21 September to promote this campaign, but you can sign as a church or individual any time; click here to add your voice.

If you’re working towards an Eco Church award, this is also a great way to demonstrate your church’s engagement in global campaigns.

As we enjoy the beauty and blessings that autumn brings, may we also take action to help build a greener world and safeguard our seasons for future generations.