October 2009
In preparation for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference Of Parties (COP) Meetings, the Fifteenth Session, to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Hope We Share: A Vision For Copenhagen
The Declaration that follows presents to the world’s media a unique spiritual view of climate change and our urgent responsibility to address the solutions. It emerged from the contributions of over 20 Buddhist teachers of all traditions to the book A Buddhist Respose to the Climate Emergency. The Time to Act is Now was composed as a pan-Buddhist statement by Zen teacher Dr David Tetsuun Loy and senior Theravadin teacher Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi with scientific input from Dr John Stanley.
The Dalai Lama was the first to sign this Declaration. We invite all concerned members of the international Buddhist community to study the document and add their voice by co-signing it at the end of this page. Read more…
Courtesy of CNN, January 2010
Pope Benedict XVI championed the environment in the Vatican’s annual World Day of Peace message.
In his address, called “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation,” the pope said peace with the natural environment is the beginning of peace with all of God’s creation, including people.
“Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works, and its preservation has now become essential for the pacific coexistence of mankind,” the pope said.
The following is a list of resolutions from the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) concerning issues associated with the environment. Categories from the Yearbook and Directory include ecology, hazardous and toxic materials, and development (world).
August 16,2009
At its 76th General Convention, meeting in Anaheim, California, the Episcopal Church passed several environmental resolutions relevant to climate change:
For more details, see the Episcopal Church website.
The Environmental Education and Advocacy program of the ELCA is committed to caring for our Lord’s creation.This involves the responsible stewardship of all God’s creation: soil, air, water and all of God’s living creatures. We recognize that God is the giver of all life.
Read more…
August 2007
Presiding Bishop Talked About Environment At Churchwide Assembly
During his report to the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on Aug. 8, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson urged, “We need to speak the truth about what our consumptive living is doing to an environment that is now on the verge of ecocide – self-destruction.” LISTEN to his podcast.
December 2009
July 2007
Anthea Cox, the denomination’s coordinating secretary for public life and social justice, said this issue requires deep reflection in every Methodist congregation. “We are hearing from partner churches about the increasing injustice that climate change inflicts on the poorest nations,” she said. Read more…
2008
The General Assembly adopted a new energy policy that revises the denomination’s 1981 energy policy to take account of the impact of our energy choices on global climate change. The document The Power to Change: U.S. Energy Policy and Global Warming is available in PDF form.
2006
The General Assembly called for Presbyterians to live a carbon-neutral life first by reducing their use of fossil fuel energy and second by purchasing offsets to make up for the amount they still contribute to carbon emissions. (Carbon emissions are the main cause of global warming.) “We are called as Christians to love our neighbors and, how we, individually and corporately, react to climate change and our own role in causing global warming demonstrates this witness to God.”
PDF link Guide to Going Carbon Neutral
This Guide was prepared for families and churches in Response to the General Assembly 2006 Resolution Calling on all Presbyterians to go Carbon Neutral as a Bold Christian Witness to Help Combat the Effects of Climate Change.
Learn more: The Presbyterian Hunger Program: Alleviating hunger and eliminating its causes
An example: Wheat and global warming
