The panel with representation from orthodox, reformed, roman-catholic, evangelical and an ethical perspective were all on the way to say that churches have something to bring into the climate change debate. But what?
European Catholic Bishops Conference have done a three pages document on climate change that will be published in October. Carl Golser say that it is not enough, even on individual level we have to act.
Otto Schaefer from reformed tradition says we need to educate pastors.
Dimitri Oikonomos , Orthodox means that churches can not serve as a vehicle to other forces. Churches must stand on their own ground.
Alfredo Abreu evangelical from Portugal want to see the churches working together with other organisations that want to move to a more sustainable direction. He also shared the experience of meeting the environmental minister from Brasil who said to him; - If you can make a lifestyle change in 1 percent of the population we will have a revolution in this country! Alfredo goes on "We have to draw from our conviction a change in small things. We have to do hands on work!"
Michael Slaby from Earth charter reminded us of the richness in different faith traditions to bring into the climate change debate!
The question from the floor is if the panel members are really aware of the urgency of the situation and I must agree! It is not enough to just sit on the side saying that God is a wonderful creator, and that we can look at how we use buildings.
We need very radical steps and the contribution of the churches must be to act in the debate with the poor people of the world in their focus. This is not an environmental issue, it is the key question to what future we will meet in just some decades and the urgency calls us as churches to speak out for a more equitable world.
At least Dimitri Oikonomos said that we need a new way of thinking, and that is maybe the churches can contribute to give space for new way of thinking.
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