Religious leaders call for action on climate change

In an historic move, a group of Australia’s religious leaders have banded together and signed an open letter to the Federal Government, calling for immediate and decisive action on climate change.

Signed by 39 leaders from various faith groups and organisations, the letter draws specific attention to the communities across the globe facing devastation through climate change, including the small island nations and low lying areas of the Pacific.

The collaboration coincides with a visit to Australia by Pacific Church leaders, who are deeply concerned about the effects of climate change on the region.

In countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, climate change is an urgent issue, with rising sea levels already endangering many of their islands.

“As people of faith, we affirm the fundamental value of the whole of creation, and assert that the responsibility to safeguard human flourishing and ecological integrity extends beyond economic considerations of costs and benefits,” the letter states.

The open letter has been facilitated by the independent research organisation, The Climate Institute, and the signatories represent Christian; Baha’i; Jewish; Muslim; Hindu; and Buddhist faiths.

All of them are committed to working for ecologically sustainable living and advocating for communities, both in the Pacific and worldwide, affected by climate change.