Hundreds of people braved the rain on 9 December 2023, to take a stand for climate justice by joining Scotland United for Action, an event organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland including Christian Aid. This was part of the COP28 Global Day of Action where people across the world showed decision makers that we’re united in wanting bold and decisive action on the climate and nature crises. There were inspiring speakers, great live music, a silent vigil, crafts, a petition for Scottish party leaders and more!
Among those attending were David and Anne Bethune from Selkirk Parish Church. David explained why it felt important to be part of the day:
We really needed to be here (at the Global Day of Action) because our politicians need to be aware that ordinary people want change and politicians shouldn’t be frightened to take drastic dramatic action now. It’s a problem for the world, everyone is feeling the effects of climate change. We’re standing here in the cold under this tent but there are people living in tents like this because of climate change and we need to change our direction and stop it before it gets worse: for ourselves, for our children and for our grandchildren.
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Highlights included a pre-event inter-faith prayer service run by eco-congregations where people gathered to pray together and to make placards. We also heard an inspiring talk from Dr Maureen Sier the Director of Interfaith Scotland who called for us to act in unity as it is the only way that the climate crisis can be solved.
The event ended with a powerful silent vigil, jointly organised by Christian Aid and the Quakers, where we stood for 10 minutes remembering and praying for people around the world affected by the injustice of climate change.
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Christian Aid were particularly thrilled to see people of all ages enjoying Fischy Music perform songs we co-wrote with them including Let Justice Roll Like a River and Speak Up. The songs are part of a new range of resources available for schools to use when learning about climate justice and global citizenship.
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'Let Justice Flow' by Fischy Music at the COP28 Global Day of Action, Edinburgh, 2023
During the event people could add their voice to the New Year’s resolution to Scottish Party leaders, a petition asking for our MSPs to act now to deliver a bold climate plan, to show global leadership through world-leading Scottish nature and climate policies and to make polluters pay for the crisis they are causing.
There was also a chance to add a personal message outlining what you want to see in 2024 from the Scottish Government. You can sign this petition until the middle of January 2024, so please do spread the word as we want as many people to sign it as possible.
Scottish party leaders will be presented with the petition and the messages in the form of a large card in January. We are delighted that artwork by Nuala from Catterline School has been selected for the front of the card. Nuala created her artwork as part of Creative for Climate Justice a project for school children to learn about climate justice and then express themselves in art.
There is going to be an exhibition of artwork produced by Scottish schools in the Scottish parliament in September 2024. If you would like your school to take part, please contact Emma Gardner.
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If you would like more information about the Christian Aid climate justice campaign, please check out our UK-wide and the Scotland specific websites. Lucy le Roux our Campaigns and Advocacy Coordinator would love to hear from you, and she is happy to answer any questions you have: lleroux@christian-aid.org / scotlandcampaigns@christian-aid.org and 0131 2201254.
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Learn more about our campaigning and advocacy work in Scotland on our Climate Campaign page, or by contacting lleroux@christian-aid.org or scotlandcampaigns@christian-aid.org.