Interfaith and Climate Change

Interfaith and Climate Change

Multifaith responses to climate change

Category: News

Empowering Youth in Climate Action and Strategies for Ecosystem Restoration

Empowering Youth in Climate Action and Strategies for Ecosystem Restoration

by | Nov 21, 2024 | | 0

In the Faith Pavilion opening keynote, Sean Clarke, Editor and Spiritual Research Lead at the Spiritual Science Research Foundation, noted that 2024 is on track to become the hottest year in recorded history, bringing the world closer to exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. He highlighted the continuous rise in greenhouse gas concentrations, calling for an urgent reevaluation of climate strategies. Clarke emphasized the importance of allocating a portion of climate finance to educate communities on positive practices that contribute to restoring environmental balance and stabilizing the climate.

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Women Faith Leaders launch a new Women Faith and Climate Network and Commit to Radical Collaboration

Women Faith Leaders launch a new Women Faith and Climate Network and Commit to Radical Collaboration

by | Nov 21, 2024 | | 0

A groundbreaking initiative – launched today at the Faith Pavilion in COP29 – bringing together women faith leaders to combat climate change was launched October 24th in Frascati, Italy. The new Women, Faith and Climate Network engages women-led climate action networks from diverse faiths and geographies. The network’s aim is to scale up the powerful reach and influence women of faith to go further, faster towards achieving climate goals.

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South Asia is the global hotspot for air pollution. Can this deadly problem be fixed?

South Asia is the global hotspot for air pollution. Can this deadly problem be fixed?

by | Nov 20, 2024 | | 0

Authorities in India’s capital have shut schools, halted construction and banned non-essential trucks from entering the city after air pollution shot up to its worst level this season. Residents of New Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog as worsening air pollution surged past 60 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily maximum.

So, why is this happening? And can the annual toxic smog in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh be stopped?

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Woe is COP 29

Woe is COP 29

by | Nov 20, 2024 | | 0

Frustration is building among the country delegates and parties at COP29, with many matters possibly left unresolved when the conference concludes.

The Presidency has indicated that the Cover Decision—the overarching political statement summarising the conference’s outcome—will not be delivered at this COP.

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Protecting our Common Climate System, an interfaith appeal to COP 29

Protecting our Common Climate System, an interfaith appeal to COP 29

by | Nov 20, 2024 | , | 0

The World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy (WFM-IGP) will present an interfaith climate appeal today at COP29’s Faith Pavilion in Baku, calling for stronger global environmental governance. The appeal, “Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future,” outlines key proposals rooted in shared religious and philosophical principles.

These include declaring a UN Planetary Emergency, appointing a UN Special Envoy for Future Generations, and negotiating a Fossil Fuel Treaty to phase out fossil fuel extraction. The petition also supports expanding environmental justice mechanisms, including the current International Court of Justice climate case and adding ecocide as a crime under international law. The pledge was endorsed by EcoJesuits and over 400 religious, faith and values-based individuals and organisations from around the world.

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Concerns and Hope as COP enters week 2

Concerns and Hope as COP enters week 2

by | Nov 19, 2024 | | 0

“Parties at COP need to get serious about taking action on climate change,” said Julius Mbatia, ACT Alliance’s global climate justice programme manager. “We have very little time left to reach 1.5 and already the impacts felt around the world are almost insurmountable. If we don’t act now the challenges to economic growth, development, food security, and peace and security will get much worse.”

Faith actors in the group are following many of the negotiation streams:

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Cop summits ‘no longer fit for purpose’, say leading climate policy experts

Cop summits ‘no longer fit for purpose’, say leading climate policy experts

by | Nov 16, 2024 | | 0

COP29 approaches the halfway mark in Baku, agreement in significant parts of the agenda seems a long way off with the entire system itself being called into question. A group of influential climate policy experts have stated that “It is now clear that the COP is no longer fit for purpose. We need a shift from negotiation to implementation,” They are looking for stricter controls of where these conferences take place with host countries needing to demonstrate clear support for the COP process and swift climate action.

In what is a regular feature at COP there is also huge criticism of the powerful fossil fuel lobbyists which are present at COP and are clearly evident at one. The former US Vice President Al Gore and other leading NGOs have vented their frustration at the conference.

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COP 29 Side Event: ‘What Really Makes Us Safe?”

COP 29 Side Event: ‘What Really Makes Us Safe?”

by | Nov 16, 2024 | | 0

On Saturday, November 16, 2024 Quaker and interfaith organizations will be co-hosting a side-event at COP29 that discusses the theme: “What really makes us safe? Peace, climate finance and climate action in an existential time”. Due to UN budget cuts, the event will unfortunately not be livestreamed but we look forward to circulating a public link to watch the recording for all those not able to attend in person.

A panel of experts from across the globe will involve the audience in a conversation touching on peaceful, healthy, sustainable and just climate finance and action to avert existential rates of global warming.

The event is co-sponsored by Quaker United Nations Office, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Quaker Earthcare Witness, Soka Gakkai International – UK, Soka Gakkai International Office for UN Affairs, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and Quakers in Britain. It will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 6:30pm local time, in Side Event Room 6 within the Blue Zone.

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COP29 Presidency Launches Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery

COP29 Presidency Launches Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery

by | Nov 16, 2024 | | 0

In collaboration with Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, COP29 Presidency launches the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery.

This milestone initiative is aimed at addressing the urgent nexus of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian needs and brings into partnership an unprecedented set of Global North and South countries.

The Baku Call establishes the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub, a cooperative platform designed to facilitate collaboration between national, regional, and international peace and climate initiatives to ensure peace-sensitive climate action and scale up support and finance for the most climate-vulnerable countries also affected by conflicts and high humanitarian needs.

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