Time to have Faith in the Environment...

An innovative ‘Faith in the Environment’ project in Peterborough is set to help people of different faiths understand how their lifestyle choices impact the environment locally and globally.

The project is being delivered by the city’s green charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) and will work with four of the major faith groups locally – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist.

According to Sue Rampal, Assistant Cohesion Manager at Greater Peterborough Partnership, there is some lack of environmental awareness among faith groups in Peterborough. “All faith traditions contain teachings about how important it is to look after the planet. But when it comes down to each individual actually doing their bit, understanding is limited.”

This three year scheme will help different faith groups understand how their everyday actions have an impact on climate change. It will also encourage greater cohesion between faith groups because a key part of the project will involve inter-faith workshops and discussions.

It is hoped that the project will draw people from a range of faiths together to explore how their religious teachings about preserving the environment can translate into real action at an individual level.

PECT is keen to stress that whilst the project’s focus will be on working with Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist groups, no faith group will be excluded. “There are opportunities for a diverse range of people to get involved at different stages throughout the project”, says Karen Lawrence Project Officer from PECT. “The project has already received the backing of the Interfaith Council, and the Peterborough branch of Christian Aid which is helping local churches to reduce their environmental impact through the national Eco-Congregation programme”, she continues.

Karen believes that pioneering projects like Faith in the Environment demonstrate why Peterborough’s growing reputation for environmental innovation is well deserved. She said, “The first year of the project will focus on engaging different faith groups through interactive workshops with films, games, talks from experts and discussion. We want to get people thinking about how the things they do every day can have an impact on the environment both at home and globally.

“Simple things like our choices when we are shopping impact the environment – depending on the choice the impact can be far-reaching even affecting people on the other side of the world. Climate change has a range of harmful impacts causing unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, flooding in some areas, drought in others, food and water shortages. The good news is that we can all take action to stop this from happening and a few simple actions like reducing the number of plastic bags we use or saving water really does make a difference.”

The second and third years of the project will support people to ‘green’ their lives and work together to create art and film about what they have learned. This community art-work will be displayed for everyone in Peterborough to enjoy at an exhibition at the Museum in the final year of the project.

Anyone wishing to get involved in the project should contact Karen Lawrence on 01733 866436 or email Karen.lawrence@pect.org.uk