In 1975 the Temple of Understanding held its Fifth Spiritual Summit Conference at St. John the Divine, NYC which culminated with a panel and the presentation of a report to the United Nations about the value of interfaith dialogue. Included in this gathering was the first representative of the Native American traditions, Phillip Deere, Elder of the Muskogee-Creek people and a central figure in the American Indian Movement. In his presentation, he talked of the earth as our mother. The perspective of the Native American traditional ways was new to the interfaith movement at that time and it brought with it an awakening of the ecological consciousness that some of the other religions were lacking.
Later in 1984 at the Sixth Spiritual Summit Conference in New York, Phillip Deere and other representatives of these traditions as well as the eco-theologian Father Thomas Berry continued to develop this awareness of the earth as a living being; just as the trees and plants have a consciousness, so does the earth. Out of these summits a new way of looking at the relationship between faith traditions and ecology began to develop. In 1988 in Oxford, UK, The Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders and the Temple of Understanding convened a conference on ” Human Survival”. Among other issues, environmental degradation was high on the agenda of this gathering of scientists, theologians, religious leaders and politicians. Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation and Thomas Banyacya, Hopi Prophesy Spokesperson addressed the audience with a moving plea for a new era of care for the earth.
Dr. James Lovelock presented his new Gaia Theory scientifically proving that the earth is a living organism,
to this same group, some members of which included Mother Teresa, His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, and Father Thomas Berry.
Temple of Understanding Board and staff attended the historic 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio. At that time hopes were high that a new spirit of cooperation between governments, NGO’s and environmental groups would turn the tide of ecological devastation facing our world. Now sixteen years later, it is clear that multinational corporations have not been reigned in and that the continuing plunder of our earth’s resources seems to have no bounds. Those forces trying to stop this destruction have been powerless. The United Nations has made the Environment Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals but the reality is that serious work needs to be done. The real question is who is going to take this on?
The Temple of Understanding is working on a new Partnership of Faiths for the Environment. It is our belief that this is a moral dilemma that includes social justice, equity and ecological sustainability. The only keepers of justice and moral obligations are the religions of the world. Governments have shown their inadequacy in this area without the support of a moral religious conviction. It is our hope that the Partnership of Faiths for the Environment will be effective in leading world governments towards a new vision of equity and sustainability.
ECO – Justice NOW
By Joan Kirby, RSCJ
Climate change is already affecting the United States – the poor in Louisiana are still recovering from Katrina, Texans lost homes during hurricane Ike, and many Californians lost everything during mudslides and fires. Los Angeles may be out of water in twenty years and, with a sea level rise of one meter, most of the mid-Atlantic coastal wetlands from New York to North Carolina will be lost. Increasingly heavy downpours, rising temperatures and sea levels, thawing permafrost, longer ice-free seasons in the ocean and on lakes and rivers, earlier snowmelt, and alterations in river flows are all danger signs.(Source: US Global Research Program)
It is time to cry out loudly for ECO-Justice.
Begin by acknowledging that, because the world’s richest nations have contributed more to
climate change, we have a greater responsibility to take action - and to do it quickly.
Recognize the devastating impacts on women, children, and indigenous peoples in
developing nations. They did not cause the climate crisis, yet they are suffering more
from draught and flooding.
It is time to call on Congress and the Administration to respect human rights and to take
action to reduce risks to vulnerable populations. Do not allow the Senate to defer discussion
of the Environmental legislation crucial to U.S. acceptance of responsibility. Court cases and
industrial innovations are positive signs, but we need a genuine transformation through legislation.
Our life style has to change as well. It is time for us to drive hybrid cars, to fly less frequently, to compost
and recycle our trash, to enjoy three-minute showers, and to avoid bottled water.
And it is time to remember our connection to those who will follow us. If we ignore the changes in climate, the developing world and generations of children and grand children will suffer the consequences.
For the sake of our humanity, it is time for ECO-Justice.
Joan Kirby, RSCJ, a representative to the United Nations from the Temple of Understanding in New York City, works closely with the U.N. on the Millennium Development Goals to eradicate poverty in the world. She attended the 2010 Climate Conference in Copenhagen and agreed to speak out in HEART about this critical issue because unless we have a stable environment, clean air, and sufficient water - other issues of social justice are moot.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s speech, as prepared for delivery, to a Summit of Religious and Secular Leaders on Climate Change, in London:
‘YOU CAN – AND DO – INSPIRE PEOPLE TO CHANGE,’ SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS, ENCOURAGING SUMMIT OF RELIGIOUS, SECULAR LEADERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
TO ‘MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD’ Click to read the speech
