World’s religions can propel search for solution to climate change, says Ban
( Nov.04,2009): The world’s religions have a crucial role to play in the global fight
against climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday,
characterizing the battle with global warming as a “moral” issue. With the climate
change conference in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, where nations are expected
to wrap up talks on an ambitious new agreement just over one month away, “it is a
pivotal moment for our world,” Ban said at a gathering of secular and religious leaders
at Windsor Castle in London. ‘Green’ growth can enhance efforts to tackle global poverty
and improve food, water and energy security, he stressed. “We can lay a foundation
for peace and security for generations to come,” the Secretary-General said at the
event, hosted by Prince Philip. Because the issue of climate change is inter-generational
and moral, “this is why the voices, the deeds and the teachings of the world’s faith
groups are so vitally important,” he emphasized. Any deal reached in Copenhagen
must be “comprehensive, equitable and ambitious,”Ban said, urging faith communities
to help communicate the message that action must be taken urgently. The potential
impact of faith communities, he said, is “enormous” because they have the ability
to set an example for the lifestyles of billions of people and reach millions of young
people through education. “You can and do inspire people to change,” the Secretary-General
said. “Your practical commitments can encourage political leaders to act more courageously
in protecting people and the planet,” Ban added.