The president of the Royal Society of Canada described humankind as "a wasteful killer and a despoiler of other life on the planet," a view he said was "licensed by a belief that our use of the Earth's resources is God-given, and encouraged by an economic system that emphasizes short-term profit as a benefit" (Planet Under Stress, foreword). However many people of faith recognize stewardship and accountability, that "the Earth is the Lord's," a radically different approach.
- See our latest Fact Sheet: Climate Change: Crisis, Challenge, and Hope, 14 July 2011
A Spiritual Declaration on Climate Change
Made by Faith Community Participants during the
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP11 and COP/MOP1)
St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal December 4, 2005
- We hear the call of the Earth.
- We believe that caring for life on Earth is a spiritual commitment.
- People and other species have the right to life unthreatened by human greed and destructiveness.
- Pollution, particularly from the energy-intensive wealthy industrialised countries, is warming the atmosphere. A warmer atmosphere is leading to major climate changes. The poor and vulnerable in the world and future generations will suffer the most.
- We commit ourselves to help reduce the threat of climate change through actions in our own lives, pressure on governments and industries and standing in solidarity with those most affected by climate change.
- We pray for spiritual support in responding to the call of the Earth.
"The natural world is the larger sacred community to which we belong."
...Thomas Berry
Ecumenical events
Can faith communities change the climate? Meeting in Ottawa, 23 October 2011 with panelists Mardi Tindal, Sen. Grant Mitchell, and Lauryn Drainie: link to poster and agenda.
The Canadian Interfaith Call for Action on Climate Justice was signed by 26 faith leaders on 25 October 2011. Download it here in English or French.
World Religions Summit
World Religions Summit final statement to G8/G20 leaders, June 2010
United Church of Canada
An open letter to all Canadians from the Moderator of The United Church of Canada, January 17, 2010
Anglican Church of Canada
Members of the Anglican Church of Canada have asked their church for reflection and action on climate change and encourage members of other faith communities to do so as well. Letters and replies will be posted.
- Open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper from Anglicans concerned about climate change, 29 August 2011
- Sign the Anglican Manifesto
- Letter to the House of Bishops, Anglican Church of Canada December 15, 2006
- Under the Sun, a publication of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
- Statement to Synod of the Diocese of Toronto, 3-5 May 2007
- Letter to the House of Bishops, Anglican Church of Canada December 12, 2007
- 2007 Environment Justice Camp May 13th to the 19th, 2007 Victoria, BC, Canada
- General Synod resolution, June 2010
Anglican Communion:
Letter to Most Rev. Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, June 2010
Church and Earth 2009-2016. The Church of England’s seven-year plan on climate change and the environment, May 2011
Other Resources
Here is a (beginning) list of resources from faith communities from large bodies like the World Council of Churches to local parishes. Please send further examples, from all faith groups, for posting.
World Council of Churches, Moving Beyond Kyoto: With Equity, Justice and Solidarity, study document
Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Canadian Forum on Religion and Ecology
Evangelical Environmental Network & Creation Care Magazine
http://www.aip.org/history/climate/bib.htm A historical bibliography on climate change
Toolan, David S.J. At Home in the Cosmos. Maryknoll NY: Orbis, 2003.
An overview of the dialogue between religion and science on the issue of environmental degradation
Hengeveld, Henry. Creation-care and the Atmosphere.Creation Care. 30 (Fall 2005). Introduces the idea of creation capital
Simms, Andrew. Ecological debt: the health of the planet and the wealth of nations. London: Pluto Press, 2005.
Faith and the Common Good www.faith-commongood.net
Ecological Buddhism www.ecobuddhism.org
Faith leaders - tackling climate change is a "moral imperative" - statement of faith leaders October 30, 2009
