Giant 'carbon footprint' to spark debate at Methodist Conference

The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) will beusing a red, two metre high 'carbon footprint' at this year'sMethodist Conference to highlight the danger to developingcountries posed by climate change. The charity will be challengingConference representatives to measure their own carbon footprintsand to act to reduce them. As more people commit to actionthroughout the Conference, the footprint will gradually turngreen.

MRDF Director Kirsty Smith said: "The average Briton isresponsible for ten times more carbon emissions than someone in ElSalvador, and up to a hundred times more than someone in parts ofAfrica like Mali or Niger. Poor countries, where MRDF partnerorganisations work, are already feeling the impact of climatechange: rainfall patterns are changing, drought is increasinglysevere and extreme weather is more likely. This Conference, we mustface up to the impact that our lifestyles and decisions have on theworld's poorest people and take positive action."

The Conference will debate a resolution entitled 'caring forcreation in the face of climate change' which encourages every partof the Methodist Church to monitor and reduce its carbon emissions."MRDF believes that by working together Methodists can take a leadin tackling climate change through political action and personalchoices," continued Ms Smith. "It's time we stood up and werecounted." To help Conference representatives get started,energy-saving starter kits will be available from MRDF in a limitededition bag made from re-used Indian newspapers.

MRDF will also be launching its Harvest Pack at the Conference,which shows how MRDF is helping farmers in El Salvador to achieve aHarvest, despite widespread environmental damage and the increasingeffects of climate change. The free pack includes all-ageactivities, colour posters, worship materials and stories of'Harvest against the odds'. Alejandro Martinez is pictured with histomato crop on the cover. He is one of the many small-scale farmerswho have been trained by MRDF in low-cost, environmentally friendlyfarming techniques. Although he is now able to reap an improvedharvest without harming the environment, disrupted rainfallpatterns caused by climate change continue to threaten hislivelihood in the future. MRDF hopes that churches across the UKwill use this pack at Harvest for fundraising events, specialservices and to raise awareness about environmental damage andclimate change.

Outgoing Vice President of Conference, Dudley Coates, will also belending his support to MRDF at Conference. He will arrive in hiswalking boots, fresh from completing a sponsored 100-mile trekalong the South West Coast Path.

MRDF will be thanking Conference delegates for making smallmiracles possible in the world's poorest countries over the pastyear - by offering chocolate, vanilla and lemon thank you cup cakes- kindly donated by a Trustee.