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A strong call for action emerges from Wednesday’s seminar on faith and climate change

As Rev Dr Joel Edwards, International Director for Micah Challenge, said in his opening remarks the timing of this debate could not have been more fitting as faith communities increasingly find their voice on the issue of climate change. As we sat down to watch the debate, across London another multi-faith gathering was taking place to campaign for a strong and fair deal at Copenhagen. One of the panellists, Mark Dowd, Campaign Strategist, Operation Noah, had just returned from Windsor clutching the manifesto of environmental commitments made by faith communities at the ‘Many Heavens, One Earth’ conference. There were many references to the joint statement from faith leaders emerging from Lambeth palace last week and it was clear throughout the discussion that there is real momentum here and that people of faith are determined to show leadership on this issue.

The evening began with a keynote address from Sir John Houghton where he laid out very clearly the scientific case for action and he appealed directly to people of faith, declaring that this was ‘god’s science’, giving people the understanding to save lives. He was clear that this is not a debate in the abstract; there is an immediate threat to millions through flooding, drought, a dramatic reduction in liveable land area, the destruction of ecosystems and mass extinction of animals. As Andy Atkins said later on, this is not for future generations to sort out, we have 15 or 20 years to turn the corner here, and it is for us to act today.

Satish Kumar, Editor of Resurgence Magazine, opened up a new strand to the debate when he declared that climate change was merely a symptom of the problem, the deep roots lay in the, disconnect that had built up between humans and nature. He called on humanity to make the change from ‘egocentric’ to ‘eco-centric’, one small letter but a fundamental shift. He also stressed that restraint and sacrifice can be a beautiful and liberating. This view was shared by Mark Dowd, he used the example of Mother Theresa who when she visited New York and London noted the extreme spiritual poverty on the faces of the people she met. He belives that making the life changes needed to halt devastating climate change could be a huge opportunity for spiritual growth.

Joel led the audience in some rigorous questioning of how faith leaders go about mobilising their communities. Is this about fear or love? For Satish the answer was definitely love he told the audience ‘I love the earth, I love the trees, I love the rivers, I love communities, I love you..’. Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth, shared this belief that we must present tackling climate change in a positive attractive way and quoted Ed Miliband on the dangers of merely pedalling fear, ‘if Martin Luther King had said ‘I have a nightmare’ would anyone have followed him?’

The speakers stressed the importance of communities taking on these challenges together and religious congregations already so organised have the perfect structure here. However this was not about acting alone, it must be a coalition of all people of good will, of every faith and none. This issue is the great equaliser and as a Muslim friend of Mark Dowd’s said to him when debating theology, there’s no point in talking about this if we’ll all be under water in 30 years.

As the rallies and debates continue all eyes are turning to Copenhagen. Andy Atkins was clear last night we are in unprecedented territory here, there has never been a juncture in history where ignoring justice will literally sink the world.