The Metaphysics of COP26: A Brief Reflection: I was grateful to be in Glasgow as a representative of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and the Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue at Jewish Theological Seminary. I am also grateful to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation for accreditation and support. There has been a lot written about the COP already, and I am still processing it, so this short reflection is merely to lift up a few highlights and express my gratitude for the opportunity to do this work. There is more to come from the Center for Earth Ethics. Read more
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA): STATEMENT ON COP26: The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the largest and oldest Muslim umbrella organization in America, through its Green Initiative team has been actively working for the cause of protecting Mother Earth and a sustainable environmental future. In 2016, ISNA publicly announced its commitment to divest from its investment portfolio any stocks and financials that were connected to the fossil fuel and allied industries and re-invest a portion of these funds in clean renewable energy solutions, declaring “It goes against the mission of ISNA to invest in fossil fuel companies whose operations and products cause such grave harm to humanity and to creation.” This made ISNA the first such Muslim organization worldwide to do so. This divestment movement now includes over 1,500 institutions worldwide committing to divest $39.2 trillion. Read more
Progress at COP26, much to be done: COP26 resulted in modest progress towards reducing climate pollution this decade and, to a lesser extent, to increase support vulnerable communities. Alongside the international negotiations themselves, COP26 was the chosen forum for a number of very positive announcements by groups of countries, or by countries and non-State actors together. This report from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. Read more
Understanding and Addressing Environmental Injustice and Health: Environmental justice is a human rights issue and one that significantly impacts health. In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls for “an integral ecology, one which clearly respects its human and social dimensions.”1 Due to wealth disparities, systemic racism, the legacy of redlining, poor land use in community planning and marginalized political influence, many communities face negative health consequences from polluting industries, natural disasters and climate change. Read more
Focolare Movement video examines faiths’ role at COP26: The world’s ever-spinning news cycle has largely turned its focus away from the COP26 event held in Glasgow earlier this year, but those that attended are working hard to carry forward the spirit and knowledge generated there. Among them are the myriad organisations that attended to demonstrate the importance that faith has in the fight against climate change. One of the more interesting events to take place in this arena featured members of FaithInvest, the Focolare Movement and the Ahl Al Bait Society Scotland. Read more
As COP26 Concludes, Dayenu Calls on U.S. to Follow Through on Glasgow Commitments: New York, NY – After negotiations at COP26 concluded and as Congress deliberates on the Build Back Better legislative package, Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder and CEO of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action issued the following statement. Read the statement
Deep Waters: A project of Borrowed Time: In Green Christian we think the climate and ecological emergency is probably the greatest mission challenge the churches have ever faced. Through our Borrowed Time project we are preparing a range of pastoral resources, including circles of support and public rituals, for navigating the emotional, spiritual and existential challenges that confront us. We invite you to join in one such opportunity. Read more
The QUNO (Quakers United Nations Office) Climate Change team during COP26: activities and reflections: QUNO (Quakers United Nations Office) was present throughout the entire COP26 in Glasgow, focusing on climate justice concerns, and strengthening ambitious, effective and fair international climate efforts. Please see ‘read more’ for an overview of QUNO work and links to presentations, publications and statements, and an analysis of the COP26, ‘Two steps forward, one step back’, by Representative for Climate Change, Lindsey Fielder Cook. Read more
Solidarity Session: COP26 – how do we keep going? The climate crisis is unlike any challenge we’ve faced before. It’s all encompassing, global in nature and it’s not something that’s going away any time soon. This can bring some unique challenges for activists, campaigners and churches including eco-anxiety and a whole range of difficult emotions. How do you keep going? Read more
Interfaith Partners to Gather for the “Faith & Climate Summit #2”: With the close of COP26, we invite you to join us for a debrief and robust discussion about the faith community’s continued engagement with UNFCCC and climate action more broadly. COP26 was a complicated convening. One thing is for sure – there is much more to do. Faith leaders and representatives from the outgoing UK COP26 Presidency will help make sense of the outcomes. Read more
New program aims to mobilize faith finances, assets for stronger climate action: The Faith Plans initiative is a project headed by FaithInvest and the beliefs and values program of the World Wildlife Foundation. Its more than two dozen partnering organizations have formed “an unprecedented coalition” of the global faith community to respond to the challenge of climate change, organizers say, and represent some of the largest and best-known religious actors in the climate arena. Read more
For Muslim eco-activists, protesting the L3 Minnesota pipeline is a religious responsibility: Environmentalism is a religious obligation: “In the end, my spiritual connection to nature as a Muslim and my responsibility as a Muslim to fight for justice compelled me to join the front lines and seek to protect the environment, communities, and uphold the law of the land,” said Mellouli, who comes from Florida and has worked with groups such as Organize Florida and the Sierra Club. Read more
COP 26 outcomes and debriefing – Geneva Interfaith Forum: The Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF) will hold a webinar conversation on the outcomes of COP26. The discussion will bring various perspectives, focusing especially on the interfaith action, human rights, loss and damage and climate finance with particular focus on the green climate fund. Read more
Earth is getting a black box to record our climate change actions, and it’s already started listening: Earth’s Black Box: Chosen for its geopolitical and geological stability, ahead of other candidates like Malta, Norway and Qatar, the idea is that the Tasmanian site can cradle the black box for the benefit of a future civilisation, should catastrophic climate change cause the downfall of ours. If that sounds unhinged, it’s worth remembering that we’re currently on track for as much as 2.7C of warming this century. Ask any climate scientist what happens when warming breaches 2C, and they’ll almost invariably tell you it’s not worth thinking about. Read more
Brahma Kumaris Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 11th-13th Nov. 2021 -Glasgow, Scotland: Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative participated in COP26 – providing/participating (in) many events on site and off site. Herewith is a report of the participation of this group in raising the multifaith-interfaith-faith-based stakes at COP26 – and raising the inner energy within the human in order that one may be the change they wish to see in the world. Read more
Religious leaders affirm commitment at COP26 to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples and to solve the climate and deforestation crisis: On 3 November 2021, religious leaders from across faith traditions came together for an official event at the Glasgow climate conference (COP26) entitled “Making Peace with Nature: Heeding the Call of Indigenous Peoples”. Read more
