When we come through the pandemic, will we see the climate crisis in a new way? Simeon Mitchell reports on the Joint Public Issues Team’s conference

The emergency situation created by the coronavirus pandemic is currently all-consuming. It has prompted mass government action and mobilised local communities into many acts of creativity and compassion. Just days before social distancing rules were introduced in the UK, a conference brought together 300 delegates to imagine a similarly comprehensive response to a no less significant emergency: the global climate crisis.

The conference heard that redesigning the economy to work for the wellbeing of people and planet was vital if climate change is to be taken seriously. At this crucial time, churches were urged to call politicians to account and join with others to be agents of change.

The theme of ‘Renewal and Rebellion: Faith, economy and climate’ brought together leading politicians and economists, theologians and practitioners to start conversations and inspire people of faith into action. Held in Derby on Saturday 7 March, it was organised by the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT), which draws the United Reformed Church, Methodist Church, Church of Scotland and Baptist Union together to work on issues of peace and justice. Keynote speakers included the Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Barry Gardiner MP; Katherine Trebeck, political economist at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance; Professor Anthony Reddie, Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture; Christine Allen, Director of Cafod; and Ross Greer MSP…

Simeon Mitchell is the United Reformed Church’s Secretary for Church and Society. Watch the JPIT conference at bit.ly/jpitconf2020. Read JPIT’s conversation starter on the climate crisis and the economy at

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This is an extract from an article that was published in the May 2020 edition of Reform

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