Faith Voices from Copenhagen
Today is the final day of the UN Climate Change Conference, and there are many lessons to be learned from the event - the difficulty of international negotiations, the complexity of the climate challenge, and the deep engagement of young people on climate change, to name just a few. Among all these lessons, one stands out to me: the vital voice of the faith community on this issue. Hundreds of religious leaders have traveled to Copenhagen or written and taken action to declare that climate change is a moral challenge with serious social justice implications. And the world is listening.
Yet some people continue to ask "why is the environment a religious issue"? For the Jewish community, there are many answers: we are commanded to take care of our earth and its resources; we know that the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world are affected most by our changing environment; and we seek energy independence for our own security and for that of Israel. For all these reasons, 22 North American Jewish organizations joined together to raise our voices for an ambitious international climate treaty. As Rabbi Warren Stone, who traveled to Copenhagen to participate in the UN Conference, explains, "these are issues which effect our survival as Jews, the future of Israel and our survival as human beings over the coming centuries." Rabbi Stone sat down the Jerusalem Post to share his own experiences in Copenhagen and talk more about Jewish environmentalism.
And this is not just a Jewish issue. The Reverend Jim Ball, of the Evangelical Environmental Network, has been one of the most outspoken religious voices on climate change for years. He traveled to Copenhagen to be sure that world leaders remember that it is the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world who will be hurt first and worst by climate change. Reverend Ball reportedly happily yesterday that Secretary of State Clinton "just announced what many are describing as a major breakthrough that could break the deadlock in the talks. The 'blockbuster' announcement, as it has already been described by some in the environmental community, has to do with our key concerns: appropriate funding to help the poor adapt to climate impacts and achieve climate-friendly, sustainable economic progress." To learn more about Secretary Clinton's announcement, you can read Reverend Ball's full update from Copenhagen here.
Leaders of dozens of faiths came together in Copenhagen in song and prayer, vigil and protest, and to spread the message that climate change is an issue of justice. My colleagues throughout the faith community have been working for years to tell the unheard stories of those around the world already confronting climate change impacts, and to ensure that as we confront this challenge, we do not leave behind those with the greatest need. Copenhagen has brought global attention to this issue, and brought promises from world leaders for renewed commitments. Now it is up to all of us to ensure that our world leaders, and our religious communities, follow through.
Read more of our blog posts from and about COP 15 here.