Klimapilgrim
2015 is an ecumenical mobilisation for climate justice in Norway. The campaign
is a part of the ACT-Alliance international mobilisation for climate justice.
Pilgrims brought water from different localities from North to South and over
to Sweden. From there it is brought through Sweden, Denmark, Germany and France
to Paris before COP21.
The pilgrimage for
climate justice in Norway, «Klimapilegrim 2015» was officially launched
at Cape North June the 7th 2015. Water from a melting glacier at Spitsbergen was
mixed with water from Cape North and filled into a bottle which became the
baton for the relay throughout the country. This water-bottle has then been
brought by foot, on bikes, in boats, kayacks and on horseback from place to
place, pouring out some water and adding new drops from each place. Pilgrims in
Norway have all together travelled a distance of more than 57.000 km from North
to South and West to East. [1]
Royal paricipation
The two Crown Princesses from Norway and Sweden
participated in the official seremony and the exchange between the two
countries on Saturday the 22nd of August. From the border the water bottle was
taken over by the Swedish pilgrims. [2]
The water bottle continues its journey through Denmark [3]
and Germany all the way to Paris. [4]
Who is behind?
Klimapilegrim 2015 was a broad cooperation with
several actors, coordinated through «Creation and Sustainability», a ten year
joint program between the Christian Council of Norway, Norwegian Church Aid,
and the Church of Norway. In addition, the YMCA / YWCA, the National Pilgrim
Centre, Changemaker and seven mission organisations has been part of the
national coordination.
Water as a common
symbol
The water bottle was a very good common symbol for the
campaign. It created a great deal of local engagement, by encouraging participants
to collect water from local sources and
pass this water on to the bottle that will be brought to Paris. The water
itself is a good symbol for climate change, for justice and fair distribution
of natural resources, for unity and interdependence and for the pilgrimage
tradition. Through this, Klimapilegrim has managed to connect environmentalists
and activists for climate justice, with people from pilgrimage-communities who
are used to more silent and contemplative actions.
What has been
achieved?
About 170 arrangements and legs has been arranged all
over the country and 7000 participants are registered in some way or another. Klimapilegrim
was present at several festivals during the summer, and people from the
environmental movement, trade unions and scientific communities have been involved.
The minister of climate and environment and several other politicians have been
challenged and contributed in different ways. Also many bishops within the
Church of Norway were publicly supporting and participating in the campaign.
Other churches and other religions communities have also been engaged.
Visibility in Media
The campaign has been visible in local media almost
everywhere it has passed through. Klimapilegrim has also caught the attention
of national media, in particular regarding the St. Olavs festival in Trondheim,
the gathering of political leaders in Arendal, and the exchange between
Norway and Sweden.
Continuation
In the weeks to come, the campaign will continue to
mobilize more signatures to the message for Norwegian politicians: «I want a just climate policy where Norway
contributes with less emissions and more money» The signatures from Norway
will add up to the international campaign for climate justice from Act
Alliance. All signatures will be handed over to Christina Figueres in Paris on
November the 28th prior to the COP21 negotiations.
We hope and pray that these signatures, and the
participation of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world will lead to a
more just and ambitous climate agreement in Paris.
Project-coordinator,
Creation and Sustainability
