Dave Bookless – A Rocha, UK

Dave is co-founder of A Rocha UK, part of a Christian environmental and nature conservation movement founded in Portugal (A Rocha is Portuguese for 'the rock') and now working in 20 countries. A Rocha projects are frequently cross-cultural in character and share a community emphasis, with a focus on science, practical conservation and environmental education. Dave was born in India, studied Modern Asian and African History at Cambridge, worked as a teacher in Bradford and studied for ordination at Trinity College Bristol. After nine years as a vicar, he founded A Rocha UK in 2001 and was its National Director until 2008 when he became Director for Theology & Sustainable Communities. Dave is an ordained Anglican, serves on the Church of England's Mission & Public Affairs Council and its 'Shrinking the Footprint' steering group, and is Moderator of the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain & Ireland. He speaks nationally and internationally on environmental issues and Christian belief. He has also written widely on faith and environment, and on inter-faith relations. His first book 'Planetwise (IVP 2008), has been described as "a compelling book that challenges our fundamental understanding of our relationship with God and our planet" (Andy Reed, MP), and has been commended by Jonathon Porritt and the Archbishop of York, Rt. Revd. John Sentamu. His autobiographical second book 'God doesn't do Waste' was published by IVP in July 2010.