This week, 42 faith institutions from 14 countries announced their divestment from fossil fuels. This is the largest divestment from fossil fuels from faith institutions around the world to date. Faith organisations in the UK, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Myanmar, Spain and the United States are taking part.
Read moreGlobal coalition of 42 faith institutions divest from fossil fuels
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) advocates that Australian governments respond to the science of climate change in the way they have responded to COVID-19. This would mean stimulus spending on climate-conserving, low-carbon options, many of which are deployment ready, economically cheaper and more employment-intensive than fossil fuel-based industries which are declining and come with huge and costly environmental consequences.
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) invites you to be at the forefront of climate action in Australia. In this time of extreme adversity, people of faith can join together in the spirit of love, reverence and compassion.
The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in Indonesia will be carried forward by an Advisory Council, representing a coalition between religious communities, indigenous peoples, civil society, the scientific community and the UN.
Read moreCollaborative and Interfaith Initiatives to Foster Forest Restoration
Religious leaders have appealed to Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a “fellow person of faith” to heed climate science following the country’s catastrophic bushfire season. The open letter – signed by 18 Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim and other faith leaders – urges Mr Morrison to show leadership and urgently transition Australia away from fossil fuels.
The People’s Climate Assembly (PCA), co-hosted by multi-faith leaders from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), gathered outside Parliament House in Canberra on 4 February, calling on the Australian government to take action on climate change. As a part of the peaceful protest, Anglican priest Fr. Rod Bower led an interfaith mourning ritual for victims of the widespread bushfires that have razed large areas of Australia. The ceremony of mourning was organized by the Canberra Interfaith Forum and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.
Read moreMulti-faith Leaders Push Australian Government to Act on Climate Change
Elders of many First Nations still maintain their lineage of understanding the ebbs and flows of the natural world and the interconnected web of all living creatures. This time of climate urgency calls us to respect and relearn the deep rhythms that hold all life in balance.
Read moreWhen the Drosera Blooms – A Call to Living the Change
If the world is to address the climate emergency, every person must be involved in a transformation on many levels, notes a message from the World Council of Churches (WCC) at the UN climate talks this week. Speaking on behalf of Faith Based Organisations in Madrid for the United Nations Conference on Climate change, the message led by the World Council of Churches told – inter alia – “We call for systemic, cultural and spiritual transformations that may be translated into changes in the ways we live, produce and consume.”
The most recent Climate Change Conference – called COP 25 – concluded yesterday in Madrid, Spain. Faith Communities, including the Brahma Kumaris and Religions for Peace International (both of whom have offices in the UN plaza in New York) (with a large delegation from the Lutheran World Federation) joined together with many faiths, many voices to produce a Faith-inspired declaration on Climate Change. This was delivered to the Deputy Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the World Council of Churches – in service and on behalf of all faith communities. The document is called Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change for COP 25 Madrid, 2019 . You may read this document in full:
Read moreInterfaith Declaration on Climate Change for COP 25 Madrid, 2019
If we should be true to our faith, we cannot be quiet when we see what is happening,” reads the declaration of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to the United Nations climate change summit COP25 taking place in Madrid, Spain, 2-13 December. “We are voices that are driven by hope and compassion. In a most urgent situation to bend the emissions down faith traditions must contribute to the urgent transformation.”
Brussels, December 10, 2019 (COMECE / CIDSE). Catholic Church leaders from across all continents, who gathered recently at the Vatican for the Synod of Bishops on Amazonia, have issued a call from the Synod for urgent action to tackle and overcome climate change.
Read moreRome: Call for urgent action to tackle and overcome climate change
Representatives from multiple faith and religious backgrounds came together in Madrid, Spain on 1 December to find common ground in preparation for the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) 25 in Madrid, Spain.
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change conducted its inaugural conference at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University, ACT, from November 8 – 10, 2019.
Read moreACT: Australian Religious Response to Climate Change – Inaugural Conference
The Australian Earth Laws Alliance invites you to join them for a thought-provoking two-day conference that will bring people together from a range of fields – including earth ethics, environmental education, Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental psychology, deep ecology, arts, law, science, business, religion and eco-spirituality – 2 Day Conference on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th November 2019, at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Campus, Fitzroy.
Read moreVictoria: Building Earth Ethics in Australia: Pathways and Challenges
A new publication, The Sustainability Book offers online texts and resources about the Sustainable Development Goals for use by congregations, gatherings, and individuals.
Read more‘Sustainability Book’ offers Christian perspective on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Climate change and social justice is a community forum hosted by the Inner North Anglican Network: All Saints Northcote, St Mark’s Fitzroy and St Philip’s Collingwood on Saturday 16 November 2019, 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm at St Philip’s Anglican Church, 146 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford.
The Multifaith Association of South Australia, the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and the Uniting Church Environment Action Group warmly invite you to join an online webinar from 11am on Wednesday, 6 November, via Zoom. Grounding in Faith is new approach to exploring our relationship with climate change, focusing on air travel. Developed by US climate psychologist Dr. Renee Lertzman and her team, it provides new perspectives, concrete tools and guidance for aligning our spiritual and worldly lives.
The Multifaith Network of the City of Port Phillip – joined by other faith-based organisations and interfaith networks – has written to the Prime Minister of Australia about the need to respond to climate change in a manner which ensures human flourishing for our future generations.