Search

1263 items
list | grid

1263 items

  • Economic globalization and ecology

    In this message, the World Council of Churches (WCC) focuses on how economic globalization affects the environment, with a specific focus on economic justice. The following excerpt provides a succinct summary of what WCC strives to achieve in this area:

    "In this context of growing inequality, concentration of power, social exclusion and ecological destruction, people are longing for life with dignity in just and sustainable communities. If that goal is to be attained we need to work for equity as basic fairness that also extends to other life forms, respect for diversity as recognition of the complementary of, for example, cultures species, religious traditions, accountability as a way of being responsible towards one another and Earth itself, participation as the optimal inclusion of all involved, sufficiency as a commitment to meet the basic needs of all, and subsidiarity as determining the most appropriate level for decision-making, supporting the downwards distribution of power."

  • The Pope on Sustainability

    An article written in Science Magazine covers the Pope's take on sustainability and environmental accountability. The Pope has inspired other religious leaders to also raise their voice about environmental issues like combating climate change. The introduction of the article notes that:

    "The problems that motivate the Vatican are no different from those that concern the scientific community: depletion of nonrenewable resources, loss of ecosystem services, and risks from changing climate. But what the Vatican contributes is the rationale for taking action: because it is our moral responsibility to bequeath a habitable planet to future generations".

  • Catholic Response to Outbreak of Coronavirus

    Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace and Bishop David J. Mallot, Sean Callahan the president of Catholic Relief Services, and Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, the president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States offer a statement in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak. The statement applauds healthcare workers and calls on governing bodies to work together to combat the virus. The statement also recognizes the U.S. for sending 17 tons of medical supplies to China, an example of how compassion and teamwork is needed at this time. A part of his address contains the following:

    “The Catholic Church in the United States stands in solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus and their families, health workers who are valiantly trying to diagnose and treat patients, and those under quarantine awaiting results of their screening for the virus. We offer our prayers for healing and support those organizations, both domestic and international, working to provide medical supplies and assistance to address this serious risk to public health."

  • Faith, science and technology

    The World Council of Churches (WCC) discusses the intersection of faith, science, and technology and what the future might hold given the current trajectory of new technological developments. The concluding paragraph provides some summary statements regarding this issue:

    "The work done so far on genetic engineering has helped to identify also other challenging technological developments, especially in the field of nano-scale technologies that operates at the scale of atoms and molecules. According to the U.S. National Science Foundation, the global market for nano-scale technologies will exceed $1 trillion within six years, yet most governments and intergovernmental agencies have hardly heard or thought of nano-technology. One of the Ecumenical Conversations will focus on the challenges by new technologies to the churches’ witness to the sanctity of life. The question will be if the WCC can facilitate exchange among the churches on these issues in order to broaden the basis for common witness and action. Is it true that time has come for a new emphasis on the concerns posed by science and technology?"

  • Water

    The World Council of Churches discuss the issues of access to fresh water in various parts of the world and its impact on the survival of many communities, as well as biodiversity in general. The following excerpt provides more detailed information on this environmental injustice:

    "The survival of 1.2 billion people is currently in jeopardy due to lack of adequate water and sanitation. For the same reason, the lives of 6,000 children are lost every day. For those struggling with HIV/AIDS, poor or no water is yet another barrier to overcome.

    In today’s world unequal access to water causes conflicts between and among people, communities, regions and nations. These conflicts exist in areas where there is a lack of water or where the main part of the water resource is polluted. Very often in these situations the poorest people bear the heaviest burden."

  • How do we Communicate Environmental Ethics? Reflections on Environmental Education from a Kuwaiti Perspective

    Dr. Khadija al-Naki, an educational researcher, discusses Islamic thought in relation to environmental education. Comparing Islamic teachings with Western environmental ethics, al-Naki opens a conversation on how to develop an environmental curriculum in Islamic education systems. This article leaves the reader questioning the role of education in the environmental movement.
    Published in the journal International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education.

  • A Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic

    A prayer for those who are sick, vulnerable, and/or have passed away due to illness, to Mother Mary and Son Jesus; Adapted from the prayer of Pope Francis, provided by the Knights of Columbus.

  • Manifesto for an Ecological Reformation of Christianity

    This Manifesto by the World Council of Churches is a call to examine Christian practices that may be harmful to the Earth, humans, and other species. It urges individuals instead to focus on what various “eco-congregations” or “green churches” are doing. The following manifesto excerpt provides a rationale for the need for ecological reformation:

    "The need for an ecological reformation of all Christian traditions is of course manifested in different ways in various parts of the world. The pain impulses associated with ecological destruction have been registered especially in those areas that lie on the periphery of current constellations of economic power. The call for an ecological reformation of Christianity has come with particular urgency from Christians in such areas (the Pacific, Africa, Asia, Latin-America) as they are more exposed and vulnerable. This call is echoed by churches which belong to (mainly protestant) countries in the global North which have contributed heavily to the exploitation of natural resources, industrial production and a style of consumption that causes environmental degradation."

  • Lutheran, Anglican, Episcopal leaders offer pastoral message on climate change

    This message from leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, and The Episcopal Church, emphasizes that all individuals have contributed to climate change. However, they offer hope that God himself has not given up on care for creation. They urge individuals to discern opportunities to curb energy use, decrease carbon emissions, and reduce consumer waste.

  • Episcopal Church, Church of Sweden, ELCA commitment: "Sustaining hope in the face of climate change"

    The heads The Episcopal Church, the Church of Sweden, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) signed a joint commitment to climate statement. The following are five salient points from their commitment:

    "1) Advocate for national and international policies and regulations that enable a swift transition from dependence on fossil fuels to clean, safe, renewable energy, and for economic systems that are fair and just.

    2) Sustain an interfaith, international conversation around climate change and social and economic justice while working to keep climate change in the public’s attention.

    3) Encourage our faith communities to deeper theological reflection on the moral and ethical response to climate change, and then to make public witness about climate change through advocacy at the local, national and international levels.

    4) Invite our communities to prayerfully consider how their own actions, lifestyle choices – particularly our energy consumption -- affect the environment.

    5) Offer our communities continued opportunities to learn about climate change and the universal church’s response to this crisis."

  • A Spiritual Dimension and Environmental Education: Buddhism and Environmental Crisis

    Kongsak Thathong writes about the environmental crisis and how a Buddhist environmental ethic may help in solving environmental problems. Buddhism may also help in education; the Lord Buddha encouraged environmental education, and learning about the Earth and its resources may protect it from the greed and selfishness that humanity spreads. Buddhism's three tenets of Right Behavior, Mind, and Understanding are virtues that people can change in themselves to care for the Earth.

  • Going Vegan for Lent can Orient us towards Christ's calling

    Elyse Durham writes that it is becoming increasingly common for people to give up meat for lent, and makes note that many of the farming practices we use today are unnecessarily cruel. In addition, the consumer culture in America tempts Christians to live lives of greed instead of virtue. Karen Swallow brings up the idea of "reducetarianism," simply considering the amount of meat you consume and its implications for the environment. Fasts and veganism are suggestions for Christians who want to move away from a life of over-consumption.

  • Coronavirus, Faith Leaders, and Sustainable Development

    An event organized by the United Nations Environment Progamme and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency led a digital conference to discuss innovation to combat the environmental crisis in light of the COVID-19. The Faith for Earth Initiative calls for interfaith collaboration to combat environment problems. In the midst of a global crisis, the UN encourages this time to be used for innovation and educational progression. This quote from Iyad Abumoghi summarizes the mission:


    “'The coronavirus pandemic is focusing hearts and minds, says the director of Faith for Earth, Iyad Abumoghli. “Faith for Earth is mobilizing youth, the leaders of faith-based organizations, as well as scientists and theologians to work together for innovative change to speed up sustainable development.'”

  • 50th Earth Day Observance with Global Religious and Indigenous Leaders

    A webinar to observe the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day will begin at 10:30 am CDT on April 21st, 2020. This event is hosted by the Parliament of World's Religions, the Earth Day Network, and Faith for Earth at UN Environment. Opening remarks will be by Faith for Earth and the Parliament of World’s Religions. Then, the following presenters will speak: Gopal Patel - Director of the Bhumi Project; Hellen Mugo – representative of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa; Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim - Environmental activist working on behalf of her people, the Mbororo in Chad; Lauren Van Ham - Interfaith minister and Climate Action Coordinator at United Religions Initiative; Lyla June - Native American environmental scientist, doctoral student, from the Diné (Navajo) community; and Mirele Goldsmith – Founder of the Jewish Earth Alliance.
    Register at the link below.

  • Earth Day Blessings from around the World: A Climate Prayer Map

    The Parliament of World's Religions has curated a world map of YouTube videos of Climate Prayers for Earth Day 2020. See link below.

  • Learning Exchange Workshop of Faith for Earth Initiative

    The Faith for Earth Initiative held a learning exchange workshop to open a conversation between 43 representatives from faith based organizations, governments, and the United Nations on the topic of the environment and faith. The three day workshop had the goal of giving leaders the resources to turn goals into environmental actions through a series of programs designed around youth and women, growing trees, and governance and policy. On the last day of the project, 5 trees were planted to symbolize the 5 continents involved coming together.

  • Honoring Tradition Keepers and Change Agents as Earth Day Turns 50

    As Earth Day turns 50 this year, The Faith for Earth Initiative will be hosting a workshop in collaboration with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. The conversation will be about faith communities and their role in combating the environmental crisis while maintaining religious traditions. This event will be held over the communication program Zoom.

  • Interfaith Response to COVID-19

    The United Nations Environment Programme compiled a list of Interfaith responses to the outbreak of COVID-19, including statements from the Berkley Center, Oxford, and the World Evangelical Alliance. The UN recognizes faith organizations as leaders in navigating the impacts of COVID-19 and made this list to recognize these emerging responses.

  • Earth Day 2020 Climate Prayer- Chief Phil Lane Jr.

    Chief Phil Lane Jr. shares a prayer over Earth Day on the Parliament of the World's Religions' Youtube channel. He opens his prayer by referring to his audience as members of the human family, we are all united. He continues on to recognize how the Earth is the foundation of our lives, "From her we are born, and from her will we return." Our job on Earth is to understand the natural laws that govern our lives. The Dakota People recognize water as life, and as we pray, water will cleanse us. He closes the prayer for Earth Day with, " I stand responsible before the Creator for my words and actions," calling for ecological responsibility and care for the planet.

  • Earth Day 2020 Climate Prayer- Chris Peters

    Christopher Peters, the President and CEO of the 7th Generation Fund and Chair of the Parliaments Indigenous Peoples Task Force, welcomes people of all traditions to come together in honoring the Earth through a Youtube video on the Parliament of the World's Religions' channel . He shares a brief message recognizing the Earth as the way in which all people are connected.

  • Earth Day 2020 Climate Prayer- Deborah Sanchez, Joanna Sanchez, & Cristina Gonzales

    Deborah Sanchez, secretary of the 7th Generation Fund, and Joanna Sanchez and Cristina Gonzales, of the Chumash Nation, unite to sing a traditional song over the Earth as Earth Day turns 50 on the Parliament of the World's Religions' Youtube channel. Deborah Sanchez offers a prayer to the Creator and asks for guidance for us and protection for the lands and waters.

  • Earth Day 2020 Climate Prayer- Jason Kelly

    Jason Kelly, a Mutthi Mutthi spokesperson from Australia, addresses Earth Day with a prayer on the Parliament of the World's Religions' Youtube channel. He states that it has always been the way of indigenous peoples to have a responsibility to the land and each other, and that everything is connected. He closes his brief message with a statement that we should all be caring for one another, and that Mother Nature will care for us in return.

  • Earth Day 2020 Climate Prayer- Ben Bowler

    Ben Bowler, Executive Director at Unity Earth, appears on the Parliament of the World's Religions Youtube channel to offer a message for Earth Day's celebration. He prays for unity of the human family and for us to gain a new appreciation for our planet. He hopes the 50th Anniversary will raise awareness for environmental concern and he encourages people to take on environmental responsibility, and to become stewards of our beloved Earth.

  • A Summary of the Encyclical by Pope Francis

    A summary of Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, by Pope Francis. This summary includes a short introduction and explanation of the encyclical letter, and how to turn the letter into a teachable moment for children. The summary then breaks down the encyclical by briefly defining key topics (Saint Francis of Assisi and an integral ecology; Pollution, waste, and throwaway culture; Climate as a common good; Right of water; Loss of biodiversity; Global inequality; The Gospel of Creation; Integral ecology; Consumerism; Toward a new lifestyle; and Prayers) with direct quotes from the encyclical itself.

  • Earth Day 2020 Climate Prayer- Rocky Dawuni

    Rocky Dawuni, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Environment for Africa, speaks on The Parliament of the World's Religions' Youtube channel and offers encouragement for the human family to make the decision to save the planet and restore it. It is our job as tenders to the planet to take care of it for future generations. He calls on all tribes and families to "rise and stand" for the Earth and each other.