Climate change ... not something we often talk about. Yet we know it exacerbates poverty through drought, floods and landslides. As the UN's Rio+20 summit concluded on Friday, many Christians have expressed disappointment at the outcomes. 

Since the Millennium Development Goals are set to 'expire' in 2015, the purpose of the conference was to establish new Sustainable Development Goals (See this video with more info). However, many feel that previous climate pledges were simply repeated, preventing forward momentum.

Churches including the Baptist Union, United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church said the pledges made to prevent climate change are 'inadequate.'

The $175bn fund pledge towards creating sustainable transport systems in developing countries was welcomed, but it was 'not enough'. Few time scales or specific targets were set, leading the Rev Jonathan Edwards to conclude 'it's just words on paper,' and that future generations will be badly affected if we don't act now on climate change. He said it is up to churches to petition governments to live more sustainably. 

However, Alison Doig from Christian Aid said that despite a 'stunning lack of urgency,' the decision for major UK companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to support over six million smallholder farmers in developing countries, is to be celebrated.

We can all influence decisions such as these. Petitioning, spreading awareness, praying ... What could you do to make an impact?