(15/06/08) A sudden breeze came up when the 260 blue balloons made their way up to the sky on the opening of the UEM exhibition »Climate of Justice« on Sunday as if to support them. The UEM delegates from Africa, Asia and Germany, staff and members of the Reformed congregation of Borkum had released the balloons as a symbol for their joint commitment against climate change.

»The Northern hemisphere pollutes the atmosphere and the southern hemisphere gets to feel the consequences - that is unfair«, Bishop Zephania Kameeta illustrated the topic of the UEM exhibition.

The exhibition »Climate of Justice« provides basic information about climate change and all its consequences, particular on the countries of UEM member churches in Africa and Asia, and Germany. It gives theological reasons why responsibility rests with all of us.

Furthermore, the exhibition presents projects of member churches and UEM partners aiming at protecting the environment and reducing carbon diocid emission.

The poor were the first to feel the consequences of climate change, UEM Vice-Moderator Imelda Simangunsong-Matondang said. However, the Southern countries also had their share in environment pollution and should not be left out of responsibility, Simangunsong-Matondang added. Many people in Indonesia contribute to climate change by logging wood in the rainforests as a source of income. When people have nothing to eat, they cannot afford to worry about climate change: they simply have no choice. Therefore, poverty is also an important aspect of climate change. According to Imelda Simangunsong-Matondang, raising awareness is very important.

As the UEM is active in in three continents, global environmental problems become obvious. The churches connected in the UEM try to find solutions and to join in their efforts to preserve the creation, Dr. Jochen Motte says. The exexcutive secretary for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation initiated the exhibition. The biblical verse on the promotion poster reminds visitors that »as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.« (1 Mose 8,22).

Many UEM member churches have begun projects aiming at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania for example has a deforestation scheme. The Amity Foundation in China distributes solar cooking facilities in China to help reduce the amount of wood required for cooking in rural areas. The side effect - as in many such projects - is a very positive one: women do not need to go for hours to collect wood anymore. The Reformed Church in Germany has trained personnel to advise congregations concerning environmental friendly heating systems. "Many such small steps are necessary to make a difference", the Moderator of the Reformed Church, Jann Schmidt said.

The »Climate of Justice« exhibition was initiated by Dr. Jochen Motte. The texts and photographs of the roll-ups as well as the extensive and detailed catalogue were edited by freelance journalist Frank Kürschner-Pelkmann. Students of the Hugo-Kükelhaus-College in Essen designed the make-up of the exhibition. Last but not least, Media Company Berlin designed the roll-ups, the catalogue and other materials. Furthermore, numerous employees of the UEM were involved.