10 April 2002

Rev Richard Lawrence will address the spiritual side of climate change at an extended service at St Andrews on the Terrace Presbyterian Church, Wellington this Sunday. The service is part of a campaign by the Church in support of the Kyoto Protocol.

In his address Mr Lawrence will speak on the Presbyterian Church's view of ecology, New Zealand's present position on climate change and the Church's stance on the Kyoto Protocol.

"Climate change issues are deeply spiritual, in the sense that they remind us of our dependence on the earth, our oneness with the earth and the need to preserve the earth for generations to come." Mr Lawrence said.

"New Zealand will always be a small contributor to reversing climate change, but we can play a strong role both practically and symbolically," Mr Lawrence continued. "In fact, having a fairly small population within a fairly well forested land, New Zealand could in time go beyond the Kyoto Protocol."

Mr Lawrence has had a long involvement in ecological issues. He became involved with the World Council of Churches' programme on climate change in 1993, following the WCC's participation alongside the Rio Earth Summit. Mr Lawrence has participated in a number of international ecumenical gatherings to produce educational material and submissions on accelerated climate change, including the Presbyterian Church's submission on climate change to the Government. He is presently a tutor at the Waikato Institute of Technology

The service at St Andrews will begin at 10am and conclude at noon. It is being hosted by the St Andrews Social Justice Group.

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