Bishop David Urquhart is urging people to leave the car behind and make short journeys by foot or bicycle despite the shortening of the days and the arrival of wintry weather.

In his monthly Diocesan Newsletter the Bishop suggested that people should aim to make one less fuel-powered journey each day and to use a green alternative like walking or cycling.

He said: “I am committed to walking through winter for a number of reasons. Going by foot does not produce any carbon and shrinks my personal footprint; it gives me a chance to reconnect with the seasons and enjoy the variations in the weather and it is a chance for me to look closely at my local environment and understand what is happening on the streets, in the parks and on my local High Street.

“Once the weather changes and the nights become longer it is all too easy to stay inside in a centrally-heated room and then to jump straight into a car, bus or taxi without really spending any time outdoors. In this way we can become disconnected from the seasons and the climate patterns which in turn may begin to make us insensitive to the needs of the planet and the environment on a global scale.”

“As Christians we believe that God’s work of love and generosity involves both making and repairing the whole of creation – and that our most important job is to work with him.”

Bishop David said that although the problems of the planet could seem overwhelming the impact of many people taking small steps to cut carbon could have a significant impact.
Last winter Bishop David urged people to avoid waste at Christmas and hosted a green give-away where more than 450 unwanted gifts were given to visitors to Birmingham Cathedral as a reminder that presents don’t have to cost the earth to be valuable. He also led a service at a household recycling centre on the same day.

This November the Bishop is launching a five day art installation based on the story of Noah’s Ark which will be exhibited at Birmingham Cathedral. Primary School children will be invited to visit the exhibition and take part in workshops designed to help them reflect on climate change. The installation is being produced by students in Year 8 at Bartley Green School.