The earth is being plunged into “climate chaos”, according to prominent members of the community who are calling on people to take steps to protect the environment.

Anne Hyde, a former executive director for environmental charity Keep Bermuda Beautiful and a member of the Bermuda Climate Action Network, used the term to describe how climate change is posing a serious risk to the planet.

She was joined by several religious leaders at St Paul AME Church Centennial Hall in Hamilton who all gave statements in response to comments made this week by António Guterres, the general secretary of the United Nations, at the COP27 conference in Egypt.

Mr Guterres said that the planet, in the face of global warming, was on a “highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator”.

Ms Hyde said: “We know that climate change has been something that climate scientists have been warning us about for years and years. However, we can see that the climate is now breaking down.

“It is affecting the people who can least afford to be affected and this is going to begin to happen in Bermuda. It will soon be climate chaos.

“There are steps that we can take to make ourselves more resilient. We can also help to reduce our carbon footprint as a country.”

Glenn Fubler, an activist, invited members of the community to attend an interfaith lunch-time service at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity on Church Street tomorrow between 12.25pm and 1.15pm and at Wesley Methodist Church on Church Street on Thursday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

He said: “Given that Bermuda is here in the Atlantic, 600 miles from anywhere, this is something that is of concern to our community.”

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, said: “Sometimes in places like Bermuda we think we have it good. We don’t really see the effects so much, but we are part of a much bigger system.

“It is the way that we relate to resource and its provision which is a matter of justice for those who are vulnerable. It is a matter of care and stewardship of the planet as a whole.”

The Reverend Nicholas Tweed expressed concerns about human health in relation to climate change.

“Much of that is related to poor stewardship we have exercised over the planet — the pollution we place into the oceans, the contamination imposed on the land, the raping of resources …

“Each of us have to begin discussions … that raise all of our consciousness about the role we can all play,” he said.

“What we have seen at COP27 raises this issue and heightens the call, and sounds the continued alarm that we may not have as much time as we think so we must act now.”

Imam Saleem Talbot added: “Humans are supposed to be custodians of the environment but we have become the predator. If human beings see their true role in society we will solve all of these problems.”

All of the speakers cosigned a letter calling on members of the community to pause for thought about the state of the planet and to do everything in their power to protect it.

Other signatories included Joan E Dillas-Wright, the president of the Senate; Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton; and Bishop Wes Spiewak.