New Delhi, Aug 14 : With yet another heatwave sweeping Britain this weekend, many churches across the country are offering large, stone structures as a refuge for people looking for a respite from the oppressive temperatures.In London In London, Rev.John MacKenzie, vicar of St Luke’s Church, West Holloway is providing a respite for those who want to escape their homes that are overheated.
He stated: “Throughout history, churches have been places of refuge, so it’s only fitting that our cool, nice structures are a place of refuge for those trying to stay cool.
“Whether it’s running food banks or providing night shelters for homeless people churches are usually trying to assist the local community, so when we have these massive stone structures, it is logical to open them to the general public to utilize.
“We’ve been offering iced drinks and free internet access to those who need to get out of high-rise flats or other areas that are too hot in the heat of the day.
“These heatwaves only highlight the dangers that we face due to climate change.It is also an opportunity to remind the next Prime Minister that they must to make climate change the top priority.”
Christian Aid’s Senior Climate Advisor Mary Friel, said: “Climate change is accelerating extreme weather events and heatwaves across the globe which includes in the UK.This is particularly true in East Africa, where the most severe drought in 40 years has put millions of people at risk of hunger.
“This ever-growing extreme weather situation needs to be a wake-up-call for our politicians.Many people are losing their lives and livelihoods.Scientists have warned that this is the most crucial decade to take action on climate change in order to limit global temperature under 1.5C.If the world’s leaders do not act sooner on climate change, then we are likely to see the situation continue to get worse.
“What causes climate change to be unjust is that those most affected have been the least responsible for causing it.This is why support should be given to those who are who are on the frontline of the crisis of climate and we need to redouble our efforts at home to move to net-zero as quickly as is possible.”
In the summer of this year, Christian Aid published a report, called Scorched Earth which examines the ways that climate change and drought are impacting 10 cities around the world including London.
The report includes Environment Agency CEO, James Bevan who warns that in twenty-five years London and the South East of England could run out of water.The cost of severe drought to the London economy has been estimated by Thames Water to be 330m pounds per day.This could have serious environmental, social and economic consequences.
The current situation in East Africa has got so dire that Christian Aid has launched an appeal to help repair wells, transport water to areas affected by drought and also provide water purification kits and food.
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