Faith leaders issued a joint statement on the 'moral imperative' to tackle climate change and to encourage action for Copenhagen. At a high level event yesterday – which brought together leaders from the major Faith communities – leaders 'recognised unequivocally' of the need to tackle climate change and stated 'we all have a responsibility to learn how to live and develop sustainably in a world of finite resources'.

 

The multi-faith event on climate change brought together key faith leaders and influential community members from the Anglican, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh faiths, amongst others. The event is one of a handful of times multi-faith leaders have convened this year, and the most significant faith gathering on climate change in the Copenhagen year.

 

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and Lord Sacks, Chief Rabbi spoke at the event, which was hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. The impact of climate change in developing countries was a theme reflected by faith leaders, who stated that 'reality that it is the poor and vulnerable who are most profoundly affected by the environmental impact of climate change - especially droughts, floods, water shortages and rise in sea levels.''

 

Whilst the impacts will be greatest for those in vulnerable economies, all corners of the globe will face the impacts of a changing climate, as shown by the recently released map, the impact of a global temperature rise of 4ºC (7 ºF) [4deg map pg].

 

Religious voices for Copenhagen

 

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband called for 'the voice of all the world's religions in the coming weeks as we approach the Copenhagen summit.' The leadership shown by faith groups has the capacity to inspire individuals, families and communities across the world  to demonstrate solidarity and  take action on climate change. He said 'Each generation holds the planet in trust for the next and to fulfil our obligations to these future generations, we must succeed in getting a fair and ambitious agreement.'

 

Faith and climate change seminar: 29 October 2009

 

Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

 

Most Rev. Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

 

Dr. Indarjit Singh of the Network of Sikh Organisations

 

Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi

 

Harfiyah Harleem

 

Dr. Harshad N. Sanghrajka

 

Malcolm M. Deboo

 

Yousif Al-Khoei

 

 

Related links

Read the statement

Religious leaders join to battle climate change, Telegraph 29 October 2009