THE bells will be ringing at Durham Cathedral this evening on the eve of COP26, as world leaders discuss climate change.

Durham is among a number of Anglican places of worship joining in the Ring Out for Climate initiative, at 6pm today.

It marks support for the UN Climate Change conference, in Glasgow, running from tomorrow until November 12.

Bells have traditionally been rung to mark significant moments, both in times of celebration and as a warning of impending danger, with ringers across the country supporting the gesture.

The Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, said the planet is on the brink of, “a genuine climate emergency”, and described the bell ringing as, “a clarion call” ahead of COP26.

He added: “Without sustained action to reduce carbon emissions, the effects will be cumulative and irreversible in our own lifetime.”

Edward Gildea, the adventurer and environmentalist, a member of St Mary’s Church, in Saffron Walden, Essex, came up with the idea as a vivid warning of the danger from the climate emergency.

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