Religions could use their asset base—their
ability to shape worldviews and their authority, numbers, material
resources, and capacity to build community—to advance the
work of sustainability. Each religious tradition will know how it
might best use its particular strengths; the mix of actions will
vary from tradition to tradition and from place to place. For each
of the five asset areas, any number of activities is
possible.
Worldview
development
- Assess
teachings; ensure that the natural world is sufficiently
represented in worldview development and ethics.
Moral authority
- Use the
pulpit to address the global crisis of sustainability.
- Use the
congregational newsletter, bulletin, or Web site as a
platform.
- Make
effective use of the media, through placement of op eds, letters to
the editor, and coverage of congregation's environmental
activities.
- Engage
political leaders who make decisions affecting sustainability.
Numbers
-
Encourage members to write letters, join boycotts or protests, or
in other ways creatively bring their full political weight to bear
on these issues.
- Educate
members about consumption and encourage them to consume less and to
buy products that have low environmental impact.
-
Encourage members to shift investments to companies with exemplary
environmental and labour records.
Material resources
- Use
physical facilities as a venue for discussing issues of
sustainability or for organizing resources sustainability
activities.
- Use
physical facilities as a showcase of simplicity and for renewable
energy, energy conservation, organic gardening, or other activities
that could promote sustainable living.
- Shift
purchasing and investment decisions to favour a sustainable
world.
Community
- Increase
bonds of trust and communication, and deepen emotional ties to the
environment, by organizing environmentally oriented service
activities.
- Build on
existing social ties to support congregants in attempts to simplify
their lives.
Initiatives and
partnerships
Worldwide Fund for Nature conference, Assisi,
Italy, 1986
In the
first major meeting of its kind, representatives of five of the
world's faiths discuss strategies for helping their communities to
assist in protecting the environment.
World Council of Churches (WCC) Climate Change
Programme, 1988
The
WCC creates a programme to lobby governments and international
organizations to fundamentally reorient "the socioeconomic
structures and personal lifestyles" that have led to the current
climate change crisis.
Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary
Leaders, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1993
In
their 1990 statement, 32 globally renowned scientists appeal to the
world religious community "to commit, in word and deed, and boldly
as is required, to preserve the environment of the
Earth."
Parliament of World Religions, 1993 and
1999
Commemorating the first Parliament in 1893, representatives
of the world's religions gather and issue declarations on ethics
regarding global issues, from environmental degradation to
violations of human rights.
Summit on Religion and Environment, Windsor,
England, 1995
Hosted
by Prince Phillip, leaders of nine world religions, along with
secular leaders, gather to discuss implementation plans for
religion- based conservation projects. The conference results in
the creation of the Alliance of Religions and
Conservation.
Harvard conferences on Religions of the World and
Ecology, 1996-98
Some
800 scholars from a broad range of religious traditions do research
and outreach work on the religion/ecology connection. Nine volumes,
each focusing on a different tradition, are published.The Forum on
Religion and Ecology emerges to continue the work.
Religion, Science and Environment Symposia, 1994,
1997, 1999,2002
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew convenes a series of
shipboard symposia focusing on regional water-related environmental
issues. The symposia involve scientists, policy-makers, religious
leaders, and journalists.
Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and
Spiritual Leaders, August 2000
More
than 1,000 religious leaders meet at the United Nations;
environment is a major topic of discussion. U.N. Secretary-General
Kofi Annan calls for a new ethic of global
stewardship.
Sacred Gifts for a Living Planet conference,
Nepal, 2000
Organized by WWF and ARC, 11 major religions, representing
4.5 billion people, offered 26 conservation gifts to help improve
the environment.
International Seminar on Religion, Culture, and
Environment,Tehran, Iran, June 2001
Sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme and the
Islamic Republic, conference discusses the importance of fighting
environmental degradation.The Seminar culminates in the signing of
theTehran Declaration, which reaffirms commitments made at the
Millennium World Peace Summit.