Thank you for joining us in our social media campaign to promote the #COP22FaithStatement and our Nov 10 event.

Please click here to read the full social media comms pack which provides lots of useful information to do social media for the #COP22FaithStatement.

Feel free to use any of the hashtags below, sample tweets and memes in your social media for the #COP22FaithStatement

Hashtags to Use

• Please note that our main hashtag is #COP22FaithStatement (which we ask you to include in the body of your text)
• Our other main hashtags are #Faiths4DivestInvest #Faiths4ClimateAction – (which we have used before)
• We will always include #COP22 (so it gets picked up by the global COP22 hashtag)

1. To Promote #COP22FaithStatement 

Twitter: Sample tweets include: You choose

• Sign#COP22FaithStatement to ​call 4 URGENT #ClimateAction http://bit.ly/2ecawmo #Faiths4DivestInvest​ ​#COP22 (add in meme)
• Faith leaders call 4 #governments 2 #divestinvest. Sign #COP22FaithStatement http://bit.ly/2ecawmo #Faiths4ClimateAction #COP22   (add in meme)

Facebook: Sample Facebook Posts: You choose

• All of us, all over the world, are already experiencing the early stages of climate change in some form or other. Confronting this crisis is the great moral imperative of our time. It requires urgent, transformative action to slow (and hopefully reverse) the acceleration of global warming that is now underway. Together, we can make a difference! SIGN the #COP22FaithStatement and SPREAD THE WORD. http://bit.ly/2ecawmo.  #Faiths4ClimateAction #COP22 #ClimateAction

• Global warming and climate change threatens life as we know it. We don’t have to sit around and watch this happen. Together, we can call for transformative action. How? SIGN the COP 22 Interfaith Climate Statement and SPREAD THE WORD. http://bit.ly/2ecawmo.
  #COP22FaithStatement #Faiths4ClimateAction #COP22 #ClimateAction

2. To Promote Registration to our Event on Nov 10 – Twitter

• Join #COP22FaithStatement #DivestInvestEventNOV10 #COP22 REGISTER http://bit.ly/2e8eSYQ  (add in ‘join our event’ meme)

3. The Event as it Happens – Twitter

• BREAKING: #COP22FaithStatement delivered @ #COP22 #DivestInvestEventNOV10 http://bit.ly/2ecawmo #Faiths4ClimateAction #Faiths4DivestInvest  ​(add in photo)

Who’s signing

 Sheena Pereira

 Mpho Mohale

 Departamento de Justicia Y Solidaridad (DEJUSOL)

 Alirio Cáceres Aguirre

 Anthony Lioi

 Kevin Queally, TOR

 Catherine Rigby

 maryellen flynn

 Polin Nop

 Chong Faith

 Sunanda Ooi

 Benedict Muyale

 Darryl Nelson

 Maria Leake

 Christina Vincent

 Tiffany Sparks

 Sarina Cornforth

 Eileen Quade

 Suzie Brown

 Rosemary Kinne

 Rudi Thomassen

 Karen Allen

 Barry Ryan

 Anne Gibbins

 Elaine Wainwright

 Peta Anne Molloy

STATEMENT BY RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LEADERS ON THE OCCASION OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S HIGH LEVEL SIGNATURE CEREMONY FOR THE PARIS AGREEMENT

Ahead of the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters on 22nd April 2016, as religious and spiritual leaders, we stand together to urge all Heads of State to promptly sign and ratify the Paris Agreement.

Caring for the Earth is our shared responsibility. Each one of us has a “moral responsibility to act,” as so powerfully stated by the Pope’s Encyclical and in the climate change statements by Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and other faith leaders [1]. The planet has already passed safe levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Unless these levels are rapidly reduced, we risk creating irreversible impacts putting hundreds of millions of lives, of all species, at severe risk. The challenges ahead require honesty and courage and we all must take action to reduce emissions.

Humanity is at a crucial turning point. We as faith communities recognize that we must begin a transition away from polluting fossil fuels and towards clean renewable energy sources. It is clear that for many people significant lifestyle changes will have to be made. We must strive for alternatives to the culture of consumerism that is so destructive to ourselves and to our planet.

The unprecedented consensus resulting in the adoption of the Paris Agreement, welcomed by faith communities the world over, has opened up a new path towards a low-carbon, climate resilient transformation of the global economy. The global collaboration by all nations is proof that our shared values are far greater than any differences that divide us. It demonstrates that the sense of collective responsibility shared by all nations and society is far more powerful than the recklessness and greed of the few.

We are united in our support for the full and ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and of all other decisions adopted at COP 21. To achieve the 1.5C goal, governments must accelerate climate action before 2020 and also greatly increase the level of ambition of the future Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDCs), rapidly converting them into national policies, law and programmes. These commitments must be defined by increasing ambition outlined in national road-maps on how to transform our societies and economies by 2050 and clearly integrated into national development plans. We recognise the importance of peaking of global emissions by 2020, rapid phasing out of all fossil fuel subsidies and a transition to 100 per cent renewable energies by 2050. Finally, we note that more progress on the scaling up of finance, particularly for adaptation and loss and damage, is required so as to help vulnerable countries better prepare for climate impacts and to help us all in our transformation to a safe, zero carbon future.

Climate change presents our global family with the opportunity to embark on a path of spiritual renewal defined by deeper awareness and greater ecological action. Every act to protect and care for all beings connects us to one another, deepening the spiritual dimension of our lives. We must reflect on the true nature of our interrelationship to the Earth. It is not a resource for us to exploit at our will. It is a sacred inheritance and a precious home which we must protect. United with the shared hope that arises from faith, we the undersigned believe that the means, desire, and will to care for Earth and all life can and will become action as our political leaders ratify the promises made in Paris – and thus safeguard the greater promises of this generation and of all those to come.

We therefore:

• Urge governments to rapidly sign, ratify and implement the Paris Agreement, and to increase pledges to reduce emissions in line with keeping the global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels;

• Insist on rapid emissions reduction and peaking by 2020, in order to keep the 1.5C limit within reach;

• Strongly advocate the greater flows of finance, especially for adaptation and loss and damage;

• Urge the swift phase out of all fossil fuel subsidies and transition from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy by 2050;

• Encourage faith communities to reduce emissions in their homes, workplaces and centres of worship and to support and stand in solidarity with communities already impacted by climate change;

• Call for fossil fuel divestment and reinvestment in renewables and low carbon solutions, including within our own communities, and/or by engaging companies on climate change.

Download Full Statement PDF here

For the full list of high level signatures, click here

See a Simplified Chinese translation here and Traditional Chinese here

See a French translation here

See a Hindi translation here

See the Italian translation here

See a Spanish translation here

1] Key recent faith statements on climate change include: Sikh Statement on Climate Change, September 18^th, 2014 www.arcworld.org/downloads/Sikh-Statement-on-Climate-Change.pdf), Interfaith Summit Statement, September 21^st 2014 (www.interfaithclimate.org), Lambeth Declaration 2015 on Climate Change, June 16^th 2015 (www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2015/06/archbishop-of-canterbury-join-faith-leaders-in-call-for-urgent-action-to-tackle-climate-change.aspx), Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, June 18^th 2015 (www.w2.vatican.va), the Islamic Climate Change Declaration, August 18^th 2015 (www.islamicclimatedeclaration.org), the Statement of Faith and Spiritual Leaders, October 20^th 2015 (http://actalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/COP21_Statement_englisch2.pdf), the Buddhist Climate Change Statement to World Leaders, October 29^th 2015 (www.gbccc.org) and the Hindu Declaration on Climate Change, November 23^th 2015 (www.bhumiproject.org)

ENQUIRIES
For any questions, interviews with statement signers or other press enquiries please email Vanya Walker-Leigh, GreenFaith’s Senior Policy and Press Adviser: pressandpolicy@greenfaith.org or Ciara Shannon, Interfaith Statement Coordinator ciarashannon.hk@gmail.com

MEDIA ADVISORY – PRE EVENT
See media advisory issued on April 13th here

See release issued on April 17th here

PRESS RELEASE – APRIL 18TH
See here

See here French translation

PHOTOS

Interfaith Climate Change Statement to World Leaders was handed over by a young faith leader, surrounded by faith leaders to H.E. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the UN General Assembly at the UN Church Centre, April 18th 2016. Credit. Paul Hunt/ WCC

Click below on the flic.kr link or here for more photos, free for use with credit to Paul Hunt/ WCC and Alex Price/ GreenFaith

SOCIAL MEDIA
#Faiths4ParisAgreement (this is our main hashtag) Statement calls nations to quickly Paris Agreement – ADD YOUR NAME: http://ow.ly/ZGiT1

Please use any of the below images.

1) Advocacy

In the last couple of years, faith based organisations have played a critical role in contributing to civil society’s momentum in urging for action on climate change. The importance of faith-based organizations taking a prominent leadership role in influencing policy has become clearer and there has been a noticeable increase in the number of religions at the local, national and international levels addressing climate change as a moral issue, in particular to show solidarity to those most vulnerable. At the international level, there is an Interfaith Liaison Committee with the UNFCCC Secretariat.

At the same time, more governments and the UN are recognising the importance of engaging with religious and faith based organizations in addressing climate change, as they are connected to the grassroots, as well as to leaders.

Listen to a news clipping that highlights the Pope’s encyclical and reactions from people like Naomi Klein.

Learn more about the positive impact that faith based organisation are contributing to, as explained by Sister Jayanti of Brahma Kumaris.

– Statements

Almost every religion has issued a climate change statement.

Key recent (2014-2015), faith statements on climate change include:

The Earth as Witness: International Dharma Teachers’ Statement on Climate Change, 8th January 2014
Falling in Love with the Earth: Thich Nhat Hanh’s Statement on Climate Change for the United Nations, 2nd July 2014
Sikh Statement on Climate Change, 18th September, 2014
Interfaith Summit Statement, 21st September 2014
Catholic Bishops’ Statement in Lima on the Road to Paris, 9th December 2014
Lambeth Declaration 2015 on Climate Change, 16th June 2015
Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, 18th June 2015
The Islamic Climate Change Declaration, 18th August 2015,
The Statement of Faith and Spiritual Leaders, 20th October 2015
Appeal to COP 21 Negotiating Parties (Presidents of regional Catholic Bishops´ Conferences), 26th October 2015
The Buddhist Climate Change Statement to World Leaders, 29th October 2015
The Hindu Declaration on Climate Change, 23rd November 2015
A more detailed list can be found here.

– Climate Change Petitions

In addition to Statements, last year over 1.8 million people worldwide put their names to a collection of faith-based petitions urging political leaders at the COP21 climate summit to take decisive action to curb global warming and deliver a strong, fair deal that helps poor countries adapt to their changing climate. The petitions were presented to the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres and President Hollande on 28th November and 10th December 2015, respectively. See more information here

The interfaith delegation with President Hollande. Credit: Sean Hawkey/WCC – See more at: http://catholicclimatemovement.global/president-hollande-meeting/#sthash.uBCybhTF.dpuf

The Interfaith delegation with President Hollande, 10th December 2015. Credit: Sean Hawkey/WCC

2) Climate Justice Pilgrimages: In 2015, there was 431 faith led pilgrimages for climate justice in Asia, Africa, Europe and USA. Collectively, pilgrims walked hundreds of thousands of miles to raise awareness on the impacts of climate and to urge world leaders to produce a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, December 2015. Click here to see a video of a very catchy and uplifting climate pilgrimage song, Tayo Tayo.

ii) Expeditions

Message for Earth Day, 2016

An expedition of Argentinian explorers (led by Fundación Criteria) is marching towards the North Pole carrying a Laudato Si’ encyclical and a Global Catholic Climate Movement banner calling on world leaders to “PROTECT OUR CLIMATE & OUR COMMON HOME”. – See more here

3) Prayers, Vigils and Expeditions: In monasteries, churches, mosques, Guadwara and temples, on streets and town halls, hundreds of candle-lit vigils took place around the world in 2015, demonstrating a display of hope and compassion for the future of our planet. See more information here

Candle light vigil – Philippines January 2015

Candle light vigil – Philippines January 2015. Credit: Globalissues.org

Prayers

We all come from different faiths, but we breathe the same air, we share the same trees and we live on the same earth with all species.

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for Creation, February 2016: “That we take good care of Creation, a gift freely given, cultivating and protecting for future generations.” See video here.

Click here to read a Du’a written by Imam Zaid Shakir – Co-founder of Zaytuna College

Click here to read Interfaith Prayers for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Click here and see below Sea Prayers with the theme of ‘Raise Your Voice Not the Sea-Level’

4) Fasts for the Climate: Fasting has been part of faith traditions and justice movements from the Hebrew prophets to leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi and Cesar Chavez. In 2015, thousands of people from around the world fasted either once a month, or during Lent to stand in solidarity with those already affected by climate change and to tell world leaders that they need to do more to solve the climate crisis. See more here and here.

5) Capacity Building – Training and Education

Education on climate change not only informs us about the science, the risks and impacts of climate change, but protecting the planet is a moral and ethical imperative and taking action can help us improve the world around us and protect the most vulnerable. We all need to reduce our GHG emissions, the use of plastic and paper, water consumption, consumption in general, use more public transport, plant trees, turn off unnecessary lights and put profit before good.

Many faith group organise conferences, workshops, seminars and webinars to help raise awareness on climate change and identify priority actions on climate change for which faith communities can engage in.

6) Interfaith Collaboration

The importance of collaboration among religious groups in addressing challenges of climate change is vital and the adopted Paris agreement creates a wonderful opportunity to mobilize young leaders of diverse faiths on climate change. We can all benefit from their enthusiasm, as well as connecting with each other and share our resources to deepen our work.

New York, 18 avril. L’ambassadeur Mogens Lykketoft, président de l’assemblée générale des Nations unies, a reçu la Déclaration interreligieuse sur les changements climatiques adressée aux dirigeants du monde signée par 270 hauts responsables religieux, 4970 personnes et 176 groupes religieux du monde entier, lors d’une cérémonie interreligieuse rythmée par des chants bouddhistes, des prières zoroastriennes et des percussions sikhs, hier soir [heure française] au UN Church Centre.

La déclaration a été remise à M. Lykketoft par Stephen Chiu, un jeune homme de 23 ans de la génération du millénaire, spécialiste de la sensibilisation pour la Fondation bouddhiste internationale Tzu-Chi.

Parmi les signataires de la déclaration se trouvent : Sa Sainteté le 14^ème Dalai Lama ; pasteur Olav Fykse Tveit, secrétaire général du Conseil œcuménique des Eglises ; Mgr Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, chancelier des Académies pontificales des sciences et des sciences sociales du Saint Siège ; Swami Aginivesh ; le grand rabbin Shear Yashuv Cohen ; le grand imam Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad ; l’archevêque émérite de Cape Town Desmond Tutu ; sœur Jayanti Kirplani de la Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University ; la prêtresse Beatriz Schulthess, présidente du Conseil spirituel ancestral des peuples autochtones et Cheik Naqshbandiyya-Mujaddidiyya de l’ordre soufi.

Les photos sont disponibles à cette adresse :

Usage libre de droits, merci de créditer Paul Hunt/Conseil œcuménique des Eglises 

« Cette initiative religieuse ainsi que d’autres prouvent que le changement climatique est à présent largement accepté comme une question morale », déclara M. Lykketoft. « La déclaration montre comment les religions peuvent être un catalyseur pour une action commune. Vous dites à vos fidèles que vous reconnaissez la gravité du changement climatique, ses impacts sur la vitalité de la planète et le bien-être de l’humanité. Vous demandez instamment une action sans délais. »

« Le gros de l’action devra provenir des individus. Les communautés religieuses font partie du mouvement plus large de la société civile et jouent un rôle absolument crucial lorsqu’elles sensibilisent leurs fidèles afin qu’ils changent leurs comportements et exigent des politiques intelligentes. Une initiative comme celle-ci me rend confiant : nous pouvons réussir et en effet nous réussirons. »

L’ambassadeur François Delattre, représentant permanent de la France aux Nations unies à New York, déclara que « la convergence d’un nombre aussi important de communautés de foi est réconfortant et encourageant. Le niveau d’engagement des responsables religieux dans la lutte contre le changement climatique et le soutien à l’Accord de Paris est sans précédent. Nous sommes la dernière génération qui puisse empêcher le changement climatique d’échapper à notre contrôle avec des conséquences désastreuses. Il n’y a pas de plan B, pas de planète B. »

« Paris ne fut que le départ d’un voyage long et difficile vers un monde sans carbone, poursuivit M. Delattre, mais ce fut un tournant. La COP21 fut un succès collectif et non pas un succès français, prouvant la vitalité du système onusien et du multilatéralisme. Des choix difficiles se présentent à nous et le scepticisme comme le cynisme sont toujours répandus. Nous devons continuer à écouter notre conscience, c’est pourquoi les communautés de foi sont si importantes et à ce point sources d’inspiration. »

Parlant au nom du représentant permanent du Maroc à l’Onu, son suppléant Dr. Abderrazak Laasel remercia les communautés de foi de se préoccuper du changement climatique. « Il y a de nombreuses opportunités de réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans le cadre de la lutte contre le changement climatique. Il est très important que les responsables religieux fassent progresser la prise de conscience. La communication et l’éducation ont un rôle clé dans la protection des ressources naturelles et il est important de faire progresser les contacts entre les groupes religieux et les autres. »

Halldor Thorgeirsson, directeur de la stratégie au secrétariat de la Convention-cadre des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques dit : « Je suis vraiment encouragé par cette forte expression de soutien. Votre déclaration montre que vous comprenez qu’éviter un changement climatique dangereux requiert une transformation économique fondamentale, non un réglage plus fin des systèmes existants, menant  à une décarbonisation profonde, puis totale, de l’offre énergétique. Cette transition apportera de multiples autres bénéfices et ouvrira d’énormes opportunités. Donc les impératifs moraux et économiques sont concordants dans ce cas. »

« 150 nations signeront l’Accord de Paris ce vendredi et l’entrée en vigueur aura probablement lieu l’an prochain. Nous n’atteindrons pas ses objectifs sans une mobilisation massive de tous les acteurs de la société. Il y a besoin d’une motivation morale profonde à changer – la religion peut poursuivre comme part puissante de la solution. Ce défi a injecté une nouvelle urgence dans le dialogue entre religions. »

Selon Selwin Hart, dirigeant de l’équipe changement climatique du secrétaire général de l’Onu, « les communautés de foi sont vitales pour promouvoir les efforts mondiaux afin de relever le défi du changement climatique. Soixante chefs d’Etat ou de gouvernement seront parmi les 150 nations représentées à la signature de l’Accord de Paris vendredi – c’est un record. Un certain nombre de petits Etats insulaires déposeront leurs instruments de ratification le même jour. »

Le révérend Mark MacDonald, évêque des peuples autochtones de l’Eglise anglicane du Canada, déclara que : « la communion de toutes choses, voilà ce qui est en jeu. Les peuples autochtones sont mis en danger par le changement climatique de façon particulière, bien qu’ils en soient les moins responsables. L’Accord de Paris est un début, nous sommes appelés à aller plus loin. Je vous appelle tous à rétablir cette communion et à réaliser notre transformation morale. »

Sœur Gayatri, représentante de Brahma Kumaris à l’Onu dit que son organisation et son partenaire le World Renewal Spiritual Trust ont, les dernières 20 années, conduit de la recherche et développement en technologies d’énergies renouvelables, installant et faisant fonctionner des centaines de systèmes de four solaires et photovoltaïques, ainsi que mis en place India One, une centrale solaire thermique de 1 MW, pour partie financée par les gouvernements indien et allemand. « Brahma Kumaris croit que la semence d’un renouveau du monde se trouve dans une conscience éveillée – non seulement avec les communautés religieuses et spirituelles, mais comme capacité collective de l’humanité. »

HH Radhanath Swami, membre du Conseil des gouverneurs de la Société internationale pour la conscience Krishna, indiqua que l’écologie actuelle de la planète reflétait l’écologie de nos cœurs. « Le défi du changement climatique est une opportunité de mettre de côté nos différences et nous unir pour appeler les dirigeants du monde à mettre en avant des politiques et actions authentiques afin d’honorer notre confiance sacrée. »

Tomas Insua, fondateur et coordinateur du Mouvement catholique mondial pour le climat de 300 membres, rapporta qu’un groupe voyageant vers le pôle nord avec une copie de l’encyclique du pape sur l’écologie intégrale Laudato Si était retardé par des failles dans la glace, montrant le statut menacé de la glace arctique. « Nous sommes très concernés par le fossé immense entre les beaux mots et les actions effectives des gouvernements, nota-t-il. Ceci est une crise spirituelle. Nous appelons à la justice climatique envers toute l’humanité et toutes les espèces. »

Des déclaration additionnelles furent prononcées par le président de la United Religions Initiative; Kiran Bali ; Iman Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid, vice-président de l’Alliance musulmane d’Amérique du nord et Dr. Kenjuitsu Nakagaki, président du Conseil bouddhiste de New York.

L’événement fut modéré par le pasteur Fletcher Harper, directeur exécutif de GreenFaith, un centre pour le plaidoyer et la formation des responsables religieux sur les enjeux environnementaux, basé dans le New Jersey.

La rédaction et la diffusion de la déclaration ainsi que l’invitation à signature furent le fruit d’une collaboration entre des représentants de : ACT Alliance, Bhumi Project, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Catholic Earthcare Australia, Eco-Sikh, Elijah Interfaith Institute, Global Buddhist Climate Change Collective, Global Catholic Climate Movement, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Lutheran World Federation, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhists, United Religions Initiative et le World Council of Churches. Plus d’informations sur : www.interfaithstatement2016.org

CONTACTS

Martin Kopp, Fédération Luthérienne Mondiale

martinkopp.perso@gmail.com – +33.6.89.04.90.50.

GreenFaith aux Etats-Unis

pressandpolicy@greenfaith.org – +1.929.389.9724.

Photos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/128721081@N04/sets/72157665480717242

Usage libre de droits, merci de créditer Paul Hunt/Conseil œcuménique des Eglises

The COP22 Interfaith Climate Statement was signed by 303 eminent faith leaders from 58 countries from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jains, Quakers, Muslim, Sikh, Unitarian Universalists, as well as Indigenous and Spritual leaders. Some eminent faith leaders who have signed are His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ven. Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chan Khong of Plum Village International Community of Engaged Buddhists, Rev Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of World Council of Churches and Gretchen Castle, General Secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation.

Some Quotes in Support of the Statement from Eminent Faith Leaders Globally

“I consider the issue of climate change vital because it threatens our common house, on the other hand, it is another form of injustice against those who suffer most, our children, women, indigenous and elderly.” Prof. Carlos Reyes, Ministro Religioso, profesor de Teologica, estudiante de derecho (UBA) (Christian, Argentina)

“We live in a relational world. Humans must learn to live within their limits, as well as their aspirations. Not to understand our limits is to court disaster. Being environmentally responsible is core business to people of faith and is ethically non-negotiable.” Bishop George Browning, Inaugural Convener the Anglican Communion Environment Network (Christian, Australia)

“The world has lost precious time in the last few decades, as countries have held back from acting with wisdom, self-transcendence and care for the global common good. Now change needs to happen at emergency speed. We pull together as a human community, or we all lose.” Sr. Berneice Loch rsm, President of Catholic Religious Australia & Leader of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG) (Christian, Australia)

“If we truly care about our home on this planet we will do everything humanly possible to help our home to flourish. If the planet is alive and well so humans and all life will flourish. Climate action is action for the well being of planet earth, our home. It is urgent. Divesting from fossil fuels is a practical and powerful way to play our part in home care. The other side of divestment is re-investment in the future of the planet through renewable energy sources. Our home deserves no less.” The Right Rev. Professor Stephen Pickard, Executive Director, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (Christian, Australia)

“Our world is dependant on us and we are dependant on our world. With this comes a call for responsibility, care and understanding. Every effort must be made by every human being to honour this connection. We now have a precious opportunity to act collectively to heal our world,our earth, our mother, our body.” Anne Markey, Lead for Goolwa Dharma Group and the Ashtree Sangha in Adelaide (Buddhist, Australia)

“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate God made us human beings, responsible for the whole planet and we are accountable for this responsibility… to take care of creation, of our planet and its environments and all life forms. This is part of our responsibility towards God.” Sheikh Isa Amer Quevedo, Centro Islamico Bolivano (Muslim, Bolvia)

“For all traditional black communities, we need a climate of change.” Rafael Soares de Oliveira, Diretor Executivo, Koinonia (Christian, Brazil)

“Climate change is the embracing reality of our time. It is not another issue in a long list.
It is a deeply spiritual matter, demanding answers as to how humankind is going to live with respect in Creation. What kind of ancestors will we be?” Very Rev. Dr. Bill Phipps, United Church of Canada (Christian, Canada)

“Sumaj causan” buen vivir: a good life for the whole of creation needs a climate of change.” Sr. Karoline Mayer Hofbeck, Chairwoman, La Fundaci n de Beneficencia Cristo Vive (Christian, Chile)

“We must use the natural world with future generations in mind just as earlier generations did with us in mind. Depleting our natural resources is equal to extinguishing the human race.” Friar Joseph Kwame Blay, Parish Priest of Christ the King (Christian, Ghana)

“We need collaboration across race, ethnicity, religion, country, and culture to assure that our mountains remain healthy. Global warming and climate change are serious threats to all our mountain environments and communities. Everyone on this planet should take actions in respecting the mountains, protecting the indigenous mountain people and cherishing the culture of indigenous mountain communities. This is why we engage in and advocate for sustainable mountain development around the world.” His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, The Mountain Partnership Ambassador (Buddhist, India)

“We live and share with all other sentient beings this wonderful world and the only planet known to humankind that support life. No point in destroying our home planet and find newer world elsewhere only to destroy that too. Let’s save it before it’s too late.” Kesang Wangdi, Executive Director, International Buddhist Confederation (Buddhist, India)

“We are in the midst of a catastrophe of unimaginable magnitude brought on by human minds and hands. It is essential that we harness our goodwill and talents at this critical time. I fully support the efforts of COP22 Interfaith Climate Statement.” Dr. John Fozdar, Sarawak Representative, Malaysia Interfaith Network (MIN) (Interfaith, Malaysia)

“Because Climate change is one of the most global indicators of the impacts of Human action in this creation.” Abdelmajid Tribak, Head, Division of Environmental Programmes, Science Directorate, Islamic Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) (Muslim, Morrocco)

“The Vedas say- “Mata Me Bhumi, Putro Hum Prithivya”, it means earth is my mother and I am her child. So the question is how can we serve mother earth being as a loyal and responsible child. We all have our own differences, at physical, financial, cultural, social, religious level. But one thing is very common, we all are HUMAN and live on the same EARTH. So we all should join our hands together to protect the EARTH.” Dr. Chintamani Yogi, Peace Service Center (Buddhist, Nepal)

“Climate change effects the lives of the most vulnerable people in the world and of the next generations. Creation is a great gift, we have to take our responsibility in being careful and reliable. We are able to change things, let’s just do it!” Karin van den Broeke, President of the Protestant Church (Christian, Netherlands)

“I have been involved in encouraging people to invest ethically. This includes ensuring that our investments enable us to live within the capacity of the Earth to support human life. We need to take climate warming as a serious risk to our future and move beyond the COP21 agreements because they are not enough to protect us and our future world.” Dr. Robert Howell, Quaker author, researcher and ethical investor (Quaker, New Zealand)

“Devotion to the Lord of all creation demands that we do our utmost for the good of all created beings, setting no limits to the horizons of our care. Humanity’s careless abuse of the creation has likely caused more devastation to life on Earth than any other factor in 66 million years, and accelerating global climate change is one of the most dangerous outcomes of this abuse. To assuage, halt, and in time reverse anthropogenic climate change may well be the single greatest endeavor for good that we human beings can engage in at this point in our history, to secure the mutual well-being of humankind and the other living creatures with whom we share the earth.” Othman Abd-ar-Rahman Llewellyn, Environmental Planner, Saudi Wildlife Authority, Saudi Arabia and Member, IUCN Commissions on Protected Areas & Environmental Law (Muslim, Saudi Arabia)

“Climate change is perhaps one of the most preeminent issues of our time. It is already severely impacting the Erath and our life together as humanity, but its deepest impact is upon the most vulnerable of God’s children. It is the result of deliberate decisions by the powerful of the world, it places profits above people, it has no regard for the consequence upon our mutual home, the Earth. We should everything we can do help reverse and rectify these decisions by concerted, committed and faithful action. This is now our solemn duty. Let us make it our solemn pledge.” Rev. Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak, Executive Director and Chair of the Desmond Tutu Center and National President, Association of Christian Students in South Africa and National Vice President, South African Council of Churches (Christian, South Africa)

“COP21 in Paris has paved a way for moral, ethical and practical steps needed. We must now act and hold each other accountable for climate justice for God’s sake and the sake of generations yet to come. We owe it to ourselves to do this.” Most Rev. Dr. Thabo Makgoba, Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, ACT Alliance Climate Justice Ambassador, Chair Anglican Environment Network (Christian, South Africa)

“There is little doubt that the impact human activity is having on the global climate is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity and the ecosystem we share. As the Earth Charter stated in 1992: “The future holds, at once, both great peril and great promise.” The deep challenges we face are an opportunity for us to evolve both individually and collectively. It is simultaneously an ethical and political challenge. It is a time for courageous leadership and widespread active participation to seek just and caring responses. It is time for us all to engage in contesting our future, to transform the irrational and unjust dynamics of our industrial growth society, and to empower each other to make changes consistent with a life-affirming vision.” Dharmachari Guhyapati, Ecodharma Centre (Buddhist, Spain)

“I am really happy to see that leaders, governments and the civil society are now taking climate change and global warming serious, and it is a hopeful sign. Taking care of this planet that is our only home is the responsibility of the whole of humanity, and therefore each of us as individuals has a responsibility to ensure that the world will be safe for future generations, for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  I am hopeful that with a genuine sense of the oneness of humanity, all of us will do whatever we can to protect the environment.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Buddhist, Tibet)

“Today, as we all stand at the brink of environmental disaster, there is new international resolve to curb the pace of climate change. The environmental movement, once associated with fringe activism, has indeed come a long way. Yet our present and future challenges demand an unprecedented degree of altruism and commitment. To overcome our existing inertia, we need to water the seeds of a quiet revolution by recognising that, for deep and enduring change, the human mind is our most effective, renewable and sustainable resource. To transform it requires a shift in our life perspectives and attendant underlying values. In this work, the world’s religions have an important and under-recognised contribution to make.” Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) (Sikh, UK)

“As important as it is to address the myriad of ethical challenges of our times; all will be simply be moving deck chairs on the Titanic, if we do not address the overwhelming challenge to the very survival of our planet.” Rabbi David Shlomo Rosen CBE, Director of the American Jewish Committee’s Department of Interreligious Affairs and International President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (Jewish, UK)

“Care for the environment is one of the biggest moral and existential issues of our time. Combined and determined action for good stewardship of our planet earth is a central tenet of Christian faith.” Rt. Rev. Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston, Church of England (Christian, UK)

WHAT: Presentation of the Interfaith Climate Change Statement to the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E Mr. Mogens Lykketoft

WHERE: Church Center of the UN, 777 UN Plaza (1st Avenue and E. 44th Street)

WHEN:  Monday 18th April, 11-12 pm

The event will be followed by a PRESS CONFERENCE at the Center starting 12pm with speakers below. A Press Release will report highlights of the event and briefing, providing links to photos.

About: The Interfaith Climate Change Statement presents 250 global faith leaders’ from fifty countries positive judgement of the Paris Agreement and urges its prompt signature and ratification by governments so that it can come into force as soon as possible. The Statement also reaffirms the faith community’s support for increased ambition in climate change action and for the commitment to limit the global temperature rise to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The Statement and the 18th April event serve to renew the strong commitment of the faith community to remain active in defining the moral responsibility to care for the Earth, as so powerfully stated in the Pope’s Encyclical, as well as in climate change statements by Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Islamic, Sikh and other faith leaders. In addition to the 250 high-level faith leaders, more than 3,600 individuals and 83 groups have signed the Interfaith Climate Change Statement.

Amongst the 250 signatories to the Interfaith Climate Change Statement are: Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences of the Holy See, three  Catholic Cardinals, The Very Rev. Thabo Magkoba, Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Archbishop Zakeos Mesrob, 84th Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul & All Turkey, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, World Council of Churches, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Most Ven. Myeong Seong Sunim, President Emeritus of the Korean National Bhikkhuni Association, Ven. B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera, ​Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia, H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, H.H Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Chief Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, President of the Israeli Sephardic Community Committee and Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa.

The drafting and dissemination of the Statement and the organization of this event is a joint collaboration between representatives of: ACT Alliance, Bhumi Project, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Catholic Earthcare Australia, Eco-Sikh, Global Buddhist Climate Change Collective, Global Catholic Climate Movement, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Lutheran World Federation, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhists, United Religions Initiative and World Council of Churches. Further information at www.interfaithstatement2016.org

PROGRAM:

Opening Chant: Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, President of the Buddhist Council of New York

Welcome by Moderator: Rev’d Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith

11.05- 30am: Faith Speakers

• Kiran Bali MBE JP, Global Chairperson, United Religions Initiative

• Imam Talib Abdur- Rashid, President, Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan New York

• H.H. Radhanath Swami, Hindu, member, Board of Governors, International Society for Krishna Consciousness

• The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Bishop for Indigenous Peoples, Anglican Church of Canada

• Sister Gayatri, Representative to the UN in New York of the, Brahma Kumaris*

11.30- 35am: Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in New York: His Excellency Mr. François Delattre

11.35-11.40am: Director for Strategy, Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr. Halldór Thorgeirsson

11.45am-11.50am: The President of the UN General Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Mogens Lykketoft

11.50-11.55am: Official Handover of the Statement to Ambassador Lykketoft

11.55am: Sikh Prayer Song: Dr. Rajwant Singh, Founder and President of EcoSikh

12.00pm Close

INFORMATION FOR EDITORS.  A REMINDER Media Advisory issued on Friday 15 April will provide both updated numbers on signatories as well as a LINK for media to the full list of faith leader signatories. Contents of list and Statement EMBARGOED till 10am 18th April.

contact: pressandpolicy@greenfaith.org (as from Thursday 14 April 09.00 EST/1pm GMT)