Environment Group
Publications
The Environment Group produces and regularly updates a series of papers on current environmental issues, which are available here for download. Click on the title of the paper to read or download it:
The Group published REPORT 2000 and subsequently two series of Discussion Papers in 2001 and 2002 (thanks to funding from the Stuart Bowman Foundation and the Waste Management Environment Trust). All have been distributed freely and widely within the County, nationally and abroad. Printed copies of these, now dated, are still available.
Cumbria County Library: Understanding the Environment Collection
Cumbria County Library has developed an Understanding the Environment book collection in partnership with the Environment Group and the Sustainable Communities project.
All titles can be ordered through your local library - click here to view the book list.
Purpose and History
The Environment Group was founded in 1990 to ‘Research the Christian Response to the Coming Environmental Crisis’ It has always consisted of environmental scientists, many of national standing, theologians, religious and interested lay people. The expertise within the group is outstanding.
The objects of the Group are to:
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Maintain an awareness of the developing scientific issues as they affect our society and its future.
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Reflect theologically on these environmental concerns and seek to explain to the churches the vital importance of these themes.
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Suggest practical ways by which churches, communities and individuals can reflect these concerns in their way of life.
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Seek to explain how we can make the Earth a better place and to advise those in positions of authority and leadership how this may be done.
The Environment Group started within the Anglican Diocese of Carlisle. At the time it was the only diocesan group in the country set up to consider these growing issues. Now there is no diocese or church in the country without a group or individual with a similar role and many more national groups have been established, e.g. Christian Ecology Link (CEL) and The John Ray Initiative.
In 1993 the Group reported to the Diocese and thought its work done. It is interesting that this first ‘controversial’ report was only accepted by a single vote majority at the Diocesan Synod. Bishop Ian Harland’s review team saw the work of the group as important and recommended that it be continued and become ecumenical. In 1994 it came under the auspices of Churches Together in Cumbria and members from the other denominations were recruited.
The advice and influence of the Environment Group has been used by church leaders, politicians and individuals to further the understanding of God’s creation. Our constant theme is that humanity must learn to share the generosity of creation and our mother Earth, with all people and the rest of creation, so that a sustainable future can be achieved.