Wycliffe will be at COP27!

Anthony, who is attending COP for the first time, says: ‘We have been feeling the effects of climate change in Kenya for some years. We have about 3.5 million people on the brink of not having a meal every day. The climate has been changing – droughts are becoming longer and the rainy seasons shorter. There is not enough food – not only for people’s animals, but even for their households. The drought issue is getting worse.

‘So I’m really looking forward to how COP27 tackles the issue of agriculture for Africans, because while the climate is changing and getting worse, something we know we can respond with is having sustainable farming systems to ensure food security for most Africans.

‘The future belongs to all of us. It’s not for Africa, it’s not for Europe. The future is for all of us, and if we are to enjoy this future together, we need to start working together right now, so we can participate in choosing what the future has for us.’

And what would constitute a good result for marginalised groups from COP27? Andy continues: ‘There are two areas where we need to see results at this COP. First, that the rich countries finally make good on their 2009 pledge of $100 billion annually for adaptation in the poorer countries. And second, that a mechanism is set up and funded, outside existing aid and development mechanisms, to help communities rebuild after catastrophic loss and damage from climate impacts.

‘For Wycliffe and SIL, it’s a place of opportunity. It’s also a place for SIL to witness to the way our faith motivates us for creation care, and thus giving honour to the Creator. It’s where we can network and get new partners to bring support to vulnerable communities, and strengthen relationships with other faith-based organisations involved in creation care. And it’s where we can report back to our organisations – and wider – about the climate crisis and provide a wake-up call so more people get involved and do their bit.

Want to read more on this topic?

Find out about Faith and Farming, one practical initiative that Wycliffe is involved in to combat climate change.

Download the press release text here.

Notes to Editors

1. For further information, call Jeremy Weightman at the Wycliffe Communications team on 0300 303 1111 or jweightman@wycliffe.org.uk.

2. Wycliffe Bible Translators seeks to create a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible. It does this through a range of activities, including Bible translation, literacy and Scripture use initiatives. Currently, Wycliffe has 360 people from the UK and Ireland serving 470 million people who speak 350 languages in 70 countries. Of the 7,300 or so languages spoken worldwide today, only 724 have the Bible. Around 1.5 billion people (1 in every 5 people) do not have the Bible in their language. As a result, translation of the Bible into people’s languages is one of the critical needs in world mission, to enable the growth of evangelism and discipleship ministries.

3. Wycliffe and its partner organisations are currently involved in about three-quarters of global Bible translation efforts.

4. Images. You can download the following images to accompany the press release, by clicking on the ‘Image’ link and then saving to your desktop. All images should be credited as follows: © 2022 Wycliffe Bible Translators.

1. Indigenous protesters prepare to march at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.

2. Protesters march at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.

3. Wycliffe’s Faith and farming in action.