Religious clerics meet to help curb climate change

Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders came together on Monday to share ideas on reinforcing the environmental protection message in their communities through education and advocacy. Held in Jerusalem the Interfaith Climate and Energy Conference, attended by around 200 people, was co-organised by The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a German political foundation. Participants included Sheik Muhammed Amara (Imam of Zalafa), Dr. Elias Chacour (Archbishop of Acre, Haifa, Nazareth and the Galilee), Rabbi Ronen Lubitch (Rabbi of Nir Etzion and lecturer at Sha’anan Religious Teachers College and at the Hebrew University), Theophilos III (Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem) and Rabbi Yonathan Neril (Founder and Director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development). There were also video casts from religious leaders including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. “Religious leaders and institutions have the potential to mobilise billions of followers in the global struggle to curb climate change and achieve sustainable development,” said Rabbi Neril. “We must work together to restore balance,” said Sheik Amara. While participants spoke of establishing brotherhood of man, equality, and respect for the planet, workshops following the speeches provided some practical ideas. The women’s workshop, for example, suggested that attendees initiate clean-up and recycling days in their children’s schools and refuse to engage in consumerism. Some attendees felt that the leaders themselves need more educating so they are able to have more effect. Vegetarian/vegan advocacy is not common among religious leaders so efforts such as the Lenten carbon fast are rare. The conference occurred 90 days prior to the United Nations Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development.