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.
Sue Rampal, assistant cohesion manager at Greater Peterborough
Partnership, said: “All faith traditions contain teachings about
how important it is to look after the planet. However, there is
limited understanding about how individuals can actually do their
bit.
"This three-year scheme will help members of 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.
While the project will focus 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,” said PECT project officer
Karen Lawrence. “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.”
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
Peterborough 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
Ends
Additional information:
Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is a charity set up
following Peterborough’s designation as a UK Environment City in
1992. PECT carries out research and implements practical projects
to protect and improve the environment.