The world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities are feeling the impact of the climate crisis like never before and in many cases the resulting loss and damage is irreversible.

The Bishops of Truro and St Germans, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen and the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson strongly support the call made by local churches and Christian Aid for the rapid creation and implementation of an international fund for Loss & Damage and we urge the UK Government to push for this at the UN climate talks – COP27 – and beyond.

Bishop Hugh Nelson, who chairs the Creation Care group for the diocese, said: “It is clear climate change isn’t a problem for the future, but a very real and present catastrophe for the poorest and most vulnerable communities right now. These places have contributed least to the environmental disaster they are facing and there is a clear moral call on wealthy nations, including our own, to properly pay for climate change related loss and damage.”

The Creation Care Network, part of the Diocese of Truro, is calling on all Cornwall’s MPs to actively support Christian Aid’s loss and damage campaign.

Ben Lillie, Diocesan Environment Officer, said: “We see in Jesus’ miracles; he is not the stick-on plaster of humanity and with it all creation…He is the restorer of Loss and the healer of Damage, and he completes what he starts! I urge our politicians, government, and world leaders to do the same this COP27 and beyond.”

Alongside this, individuals and parishes are being encouraged to write to their local MPs and the Prime Minster to request the UK Government supports and actively pursues the creation of an international fund for the mitigation of loss and damage.

Christian Aid have developed an MP Briefing for churches and you can download that here: Loss and Damage MP Briefing – Christian Aid