Religion and faith. as vehicle of sustainability. Global Warming and Climate Change: A Way Out

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Elwin Barton
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1 Religion and faith as vehicle of sustainability Global Warming and Climate Change: A Way Out 21 st - 22 nd November 2015, Vidhan Sabha Parisar, Bhopal

2 Global Warming and Climate Change: A Way Out In the last few decades, we have witnessed an artificial dichotomy between science and faith in approaches to address environment and climate change. Religion, faith, spirituality and ethics have been underemphasized, giving a place of prominence to science and economics, implying privileging of certain knowledge systems to the exclusion of others. However, this has resulted in loss of a very large body of knowledge of lived experiences, culture, worldviews, faith and ethics. As relationship between human beings and the earth is becoming complicated gradually, we need to look beyond science and politics to solve these issues. Science and politics have a prominent role, however, religion and faith have huge potential to support ethical actions in communities and countries and reaching a consensus on issues, which have deep political divisions. In every religion or belief system, the concern for nature is a common feature. The religious teachings beautifully describes that how we should view our role with regard to protecting the environment. Religion has been called the most powerful source of ethical guidance for our civilization (Gore, 1963). Every major religion of the world has ethical guidance on relationship of human beings with their natural habitat documented in their scriptures. Both Jewish and Christian statements on climate change quote from the Old Testament, The Earth is the Lord s and fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1). Writings from the Quran speak about human beings being appointed by God as viceroys or guardians of the Earth and the Heavens and the Earth being an extension of God s throne. Sikh s Guru Granth Sahib states that Creating the world, God has made it a place to practice spirituality 2

3 21st & 22nd November 2015 and the purpose of human beings is to achieve a blissful state and be in harmony with the Earth and all creations. Pope Francis recent encyclical on climate change (June, 2015) also reinforces these cultural traditions calling for ecological conversion of the faithful and brings renewed focus on culture, tradition, religion and ethical behavior. In Laudoto Si (Praise Be), he warns of harming birds, and calls for reducing industrial waste, increasing renewable fuel subsidies and enhancing energy efficiency. The Pope writes It is remarkable how weak international political responses have been. The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and Shalom Centre is promoting Kosher Hybrid cars (fuelefficient cars). Greening synagogues and energy audits of synagogues, annual holiday cards with scriptures and 8 actions for 8 days of Hanukkah, and oiloholics anonymous groups in synagogues promote kick the oil habit in their households and congregational lives. The Baha i inspired International Environmental Forum has sponsored several International Conferences on global warming. Religions and faiths are articulating compelling moral and ethical reasons for tackling climate change. Religion through the climate crisis can be a binding force. This is manifested in several statements, expressions of solidarity coming from interfaith groups. History has shown that religions are among the most powerful institutions in the society, continuously and profoundly shaping the trajectory of world. Moral arguments for environmental stewardship could be convincingly articulated in order to mobilize religious 3

4 Global Warming and Climate Change: A Way Out believers who constitute above 85 percent of humanity. We hope that religious and ethical considerations of climate change go beyond science and politics in moving people, communities and countries in action. The Government of Madhya Pradesh and the co organizers, thereby, increasingly recognize that religions need to be in dialogue with other disciplines (e.g., science, ethics, economics, education, public policy, gender) in seeking comprehensive solutions to both global and local environmental problems. Keeping this in mind, Stream 5 of the summit extensively covers the manner in which religion and faith acts as a vehicle of sustainability. The stream is divided into 3 sessions where each session comprises of 4-5 speakers and covers a particular dimension of climate change. A brief introduction to Steam 5 is given below: Session 1: How climate change hurts people and the planet Samini Charitra Prajna Vice Chancellor, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Rajasthan. Paramjit Singh Chandok Chairman, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Executive member Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee. 4

5 21st & 22nd November 2015 Dr. Shailendra P. Singh Associate Professor, Department of English at St. John s College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Yogesh Kumar Jadhav Chief Operating Officer, Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Golo Joachim Pilz Advisor, Renewable Energy at Brahma Kumaris & World Renewal Spiritual Trust, Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Session 2: Deepening our roots with nature and religion Dr. Homi Dhalla Founder and President of the Cultural Foundation of the Zarathustra World and recipient of Mother Teresa National Award for Interfaith Harmony in Father MD Thomas National Director of the Commission for Religious Harmony of the Catholic Christian Community in India and Founder Director of Samanvay Institute of Religion and Culture in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. 5

6 Global Warming and Climate Change: A Way Out Arif Mohammad Khan Former Union Minister, now actively involved in writing articles and columns related to Islam and Sufism. Swami Jagdish Kapri Founder of Pushkar Meditation Temple that trains in many ancient meditation techniques and Ashtanga yoga. Lokesh Muni ji Founder President at Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and recipient of National Communal Harmony Award of Government of India in Dr. Krishna Lal Bishnoi Writer and leader of the Bishnoi community known for living in harmony with the nature. Session 3: Overcoming environmental racism and promoting justice Sister Jayanti Director, Brahma Kumaris, Europe & Middle East. 6

7 21st & 22nd November 2015 Dr. AK Merchant General Secretary, The Temple of Understanding and Trustee Lotus Temple. Geshe Dorji Damdul Director, Tibet House based in Delhi, the Cultural Centre of H.H. the Dalai Lama and official translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama. Swami Samvit Somgiri Enthroned as Mahant, Shri Laleshwar Mahadev Mandir, Bikaner and Shri Somnath Mahadev Mandir, Mount Abu. Father Stephen Fernandes Professor of Ethics and Moral Theology, St. Pius College, Mumbai and Executive Secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (C.C.B.I). Swami Yogishwaranand Monk, Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Howrah and Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Bhopal. 7

8 Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO) Paryavaran Parisar, E- 5, Arera Colony, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Phone: , , Fax: Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (CECOEDECON) F , Sita Pura, Industrial Area, Jaipur, Rajasthan Phone: , Fax:

here? What does it mean owe others? Why study religion? to be human? Why are we

here? What does it mean owe others? Why study religion? to be human? Why are we Religious Studies Religion can inspire and provoke, unite and polarize. Whether practiced behind closed doors or demonstrated in the streets, religion has been a fundamental force throughout history in