Sister Joan Brown: Global Faith Community Speaks Out ahead of Climate Conference
Sister Joan Brown, osf, executive director of New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light wrote an opinion piece for the Gallup Independent about the commitments by faith leaders around the world to address climate change ahead of the the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland from Oct. 31-Nov.12. The article is entitled “Did you miss a critical event this week?” Here is an excerpt:
Pope Francis and 40 faith leaders representing 84% of the world’s people who identify with a faith met and signed a climate appeal Oct. 4. Many of us missed this unprecedented event, just as we are missing the call to care for Our Common Home and take action to address climate change.
The appeal made at the Vatican addresses all governments participating in the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland…The strong document calls for decisive international action by governments implores leaders to “safeguard, restore and heal our wounded humanity and the home entrusted to our stewardship.”
Signed by the religious leaders of major traditions, it implores the world to listen and act. “Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert to our children.”