I am deeply disheartened but not at all surprised that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in New York City today and yet has chosen not to participate in the United Nations Summit on Climate Change. I will go a step further and say that I am ashamed by his indifference to this central issue of our time. He can huff and puff all he wants about the Ukraine and ISIS at the UN on Thursday, but climate change poses a far greater threat to our global security. And apparently in his eyes more than 300,000 marchers in New York and roughly 600,000 around the planet don't count for much.
I am grateful that on Sunday and through this week leaders and representatives from various religious groups are involved in a number of events In NYC related to care for Creation and the justice issues which are part of this discussion. A Huffington Post article describes one event:
This Interfaith Summit on Climate Change will...gather 30 faith leaders such as Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslims, Sikh and Indigenous religious leaders to discuss how people of faith need to take this issue of climate change seriously and at the forefront of their agenda. Part of the statement from 30 faith leaders...reads:
"... share the conviction that the threats of climate change cannot be curbed effectively by a single State alone but only by the enhanced co-operation of the community of States, based on principles of mutual trust, fairness and equity, precaution, intergenerational justice and common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities. We urge the rich to support the poor and the vulnerable significantly and everywhere, especially in Least Developed Countries, Small Island States and Sub-Saharan Africa. Significant support would include generous financial resources, capacity building, technology transfer and other forms of co-operation."There is another event underway at Union Theological Seminary called Religions for the Earth. In conjunction with these two events there was a worship service this past Sunday in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, one of the largest church structures in the world. I would have loved to be there for that multifaith worship experience.
Are you encouraged that religions can find common ground in the cause of care for the planet and justice for those most affected by climate change? Have you views shifted through the years. Is this a Godly cause?
Jeffrey Simpson's column in today's Globe and Mail entitled "Harper's base couldn't care less about climate" is discouraging. Can religious groups help to turn the tide?
ReplyDeleteKathy
It would be very troubling if our religions couldn't come together on this issue.
ReplyDeleteYes, the government is not taking this issue and must be held accountable. Yes, their inaction is embarrassing, and I hope we remind them at the next election.
However, I think too many people think climate change and pollution is only the government's responsiblity.
I've mentioned this in your other blogs on the topic, but what drives me really crazy is walking by all the vehicles in the winter that are parked on driveways idling away, for who knows how long. Or the countless moronic motorists who throw cigarette butts out the window. And have you checked out the garbage in virtually any creek?
The government should be ashamed, but so should many people.