Grassroots believers and religious leaders representing more than 1.5 billion people around the world are calling for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.
Religious leaders issued a multi-religious letter just days before world leaders gathered in Egypt for the COP27 conference and negotiations on climate change.
“Religious groups around the world have supported binding international agreements on nuclear weapons, debt relief, tobacco, landmines and other issues,” said Muhammadiya, an Indonesian Islamic organization of more than 30 million people. said Hening Parlan, environmental director of the movement Aisyiyah. member.
“We strongly believe in the importance of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and a just transition, and we are committed to supporting it.”
In the letter, they said, “Government action is painstakingly slow, overly responsive to reckless and deceptive fossil fuel companies, and impeding meaningful and timely climate legislation.”
Pacific Islanders face an existential threat from climate change, said Pacific Islanders face an existential threat from climate change, speaking at the 10 National Church Conferences of Pacific Islanders. Call to Treaty.
“We must stop those that threaten us and protect the most vulnerable,” she continued. That’s the only decent thing. “
Religious groups have been at the forefront of moving away from fossil fuels and have played a key role in major climate mobilizations. A new UN and International Energy Agency (IEA) report reveals a startling gap between countries’ climate commitments and the commitments needed to comply with the Paris Agreement. 1.5C target.
Religious leaders in 70 cities including Kolkata, Los Angeles and London, 101 Nobel laureates, 3,000 scientists, 1,750 civil society organizations, and 500 parliamentarians from Africa, Asia, Europe and America. joined and demanded an immediate halt to new fossil fuel projects. , a generous commitment to an equitable phase-out of existing coal, oil and gas production and a just transition for countries, communities and workers affected by climate change.
“The life of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, demonstrated both constant self-development and a rigorous engagement with people and their problems,” says Soka Gakkai International, a global Buddhist organization based in Japan. said Tomohiko Aishima of
“The continued reliance on fossil fuels, with its tragic consequences for particularly vulnerable populations, is incompatible with our beliefs and commitments. We have expressed our support for the Fossil Fuels Treaty.”
As COP27 took place in Africa, religious leaders and grassroots believers across the continent emphasized the importance of the treaty. Sheikh Yusuf Nasr, religious leader of Kenya’s Supreme Council of Muslims, said the first and hardest-hit populations to be affected by climate change in Africa and around the world will have negligible carbon footprints. said to be slight.
“Why should these innocent people suffer when the world’s biggest corporations and wealthy governments don’t do the right thing?”
Baraka Renga, organizer of Tanzania-based Grassroots Greenfaces, said, “Every day, smallholder farmers, their families and animals struggle with the effects of climate change, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, droughts, heat waves and floods. I see you there
According to Baraka, fossil fuels account for more than 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, for the sake of life and to avoid massive and inhumane levels of suffering, Africa and the world must address fossil fuels directly and the hundreds of millions of Africans who lack access to energy. We need a binding agreement to fund universal access to clean power.
The announcement follows the Vatican’s endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty in July.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, Director of Integral Human Development Promotion Decastery, said at the October 4 premiere of The Letter: Despite the Paris Agreement, the target of just 1.5°C of temperature rise has been virtually unattainable. The Earth has already warmed him by 1.2°C. “
Nevertheless, he notes that many new fossil fuel projects are being launched with reckless abandon, contrary to the International Energy Agency’s call, and that fossil fuels have been proposed in complementing and supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It emphasizes the importance of the Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Catholic institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean prepared for COP27 in October with a public dialogue for the Care of Creation. At that time, we also announced our support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels.
“We call on governments to urgently initiate the necessary actions to develop and implement a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty as a tool that can sustain the interests of our common home,” said Mon. said. Jorge Eduardo Lozano, General Secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM).
“Companies, governments and financial institutions must stop exploring new oil and gas and replace fossil fuels with energy sources that are better for the planet and its people.”
In recent years, religious groups have educated thousands of people of various faiths about the fossil fuel treaty. GreenFaith International Network has taken public action across Europe, Africa, the United States, Latin America, Indonesia, Australia and beyond to protest new fossil fuel projects and call on the world’s largest asset managers to end their support for climate-damaging projects. organized.
With world leaders gathering in Indonesia for the G20 meeting and the annual UN climate change conference in Egypt at the same time, religious groups have decided to bring their call for a treaty to the attention of world leaders. did.
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