Towards an ethical debate – climate change as a challenge for lifestyles, solidarity and global justice. Another day in Brussels

Churches of Europe meets the institutions in Brussels today.
The good news: It is actually happening. Ethical and theological grounded arguments for a change to a more just and effective climate change treaty.
The bad news; EU officials are not giving a very clear message that EU are going to live up to their lower of emissions inside EU. It seems like EU are more interested to buy the easy deal from developing countries. And also the gap between science and action?

My input is from the Uppsala Interfaith Climate Summit that says;
"

From the Uppsala Interfaith Manifesto there is a message that is an answer to the urgency to act.

- 40 % domestic cuts of GHG emissions by 2020 in developed countries and 90% in 2050 (compared to 1990 levels)

- Binding cuts for the rich world on top of their domestic obligations

- Measurable, verifiable and reportable mitigations by developing countries, especially fast countries with fast growing economies.

- Massive transfers and sharing of important technology

- Economic incentives for developing countries to foster cleaner development on a national scale

- Support to adaptation to climate change. "

Now we need to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work to push for something to happen in Copenhagen.

350

Clock is ticking for CO2penhagen and a new climate treaty. Faith groups are becoming more and more visible and that is really encouraging. Now the 350 movement have announced 24th of October as a day to manifest the necessity to come down to 350 ppm CO2 equivalents in the atmosphere.
In the climate scenarios that we have seen earlier a stabilisation at 450 is the goal but latest science research says that to be more on the safe side we need to cut down to 350 (that we already passed).
24th October there will be happenings all over the world to underline the 350 target. Also faith communities are involved in this. So why not go to the website and sign the petition. And then make something happening on the 24th of October to highlight the 350 ppm importance.

Now we´re talking!

Last night at the Interfaith Power an Light National Conference in Washington there was this Fireside Chat that I really liked. Even though the fireside was not there and I would not describe this as a chat (maybe due to my limited understanding of the English language). This was something different.
From my perspective as a European and active in the World Council of Churches climate change group this was a missing piece.
Richard Cizik, a well known evangelical from USA, told us his story of how he changed and understood the importance of the climate change issue from a theological perspective. Really encouraging to hear that you keep to your belief and change when the perspective of the facts force you to do so. For me it was a good example that you can keep faithful to your tradition and in being so also switch to what the facts of the state of the world urge you to do.
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb showed the other perspective of being inside a movement nearly all the time (the ecological movement) and keep the faith and very open to walk together with other faith holders, to search the sustainability for the world.
Revd Sally Bingham is a great communicator and moderated this "chat" in a way that everybody felt adressed.
Everybody undelined the importance of hope and for me this was a real sign of hope.
We need the religions to come to the arena of climate change together. We need to have this kind of relations to each other to solve the global challenges that we face today. Inclusive open and with respect we can take radical steps at the practical level to overcome the climate crisis but also to come closer to each other from a religious perspective. This is what we really need in a globalised world of today.

Interfaith Power and Light - meeting in Washington DC

I am today in Washington DC to listen and to get inspired by the Regeneration Project Interfaith Power & Light Nationa Conference.
I have just visited the first hour of pre session but to hear all that is going on in the different states in the US is really encouraging. As a European I am challenged to speed up the climate change work and our interfaith work when I listen to the IPL experiences.
I will come back with new comments.

Churches in Copenhagen prepares to let the Climatebells ring

In ten months a new climate treaty will signed in Copenhagen. Ten months is not very long time and it seems that the world have lost the pace to face the challenges that we stand in front of. Technical solutions and political decisions is needed and at reach but the urgency is sometimes seems to be put in the background of the agenda.
Faiths of the world needs to take a step forward and remind everyone of the justice aspect of climate change and the need to change to a more just and sharing low carbon society.
For that we need to get the CO2 equivalents under 350 ppm again.
So, don't be surprised if all the churches in Denmark will toll the bells 350 times on the 13th of December in the afternoon. And maybe also the church bells in Norway and Sweden also will ring out the warning and the urgency to act. And maybe more churches around Europe and the world could take part in this symbolic action.

State of the world

World Watch Institute reports the state of the world. And the message is as clear as it can be. We have some serious issues to deal with and the world has to face the real challenge of climate change. At the same time there are so many possibilities to change track to sustainability. There are reasons to be concerned but there is also reasons to believe that we can overcome the threats of climate change. But it is not about tomorrow, it is about now

So help me God

Since the whole world been waiting for the president elect to become president Barack H Obama is now the president of the United States of America.
The expectations on this man are more than any one can live up to but at least this could be a mark of a new era.
President Obama mentioned climate change four times in his speech which at least I hope will be significant for the coming years of US administration.
Since EU has gone from the leader of the climate change agenda to the trajectory of lower ambitions we really need a proactive climate policy of US.
Now it is time to proof to the world that Americans can take the lead in the climate change negotiations and to show the world that they are willing and able to change to the new energy era and that an American lifestyle will be distinguished by low carbon use.
But the rest of the world really need to be on their toes because we all have to act, and act now. Act for to get down the CO2 emissions and act for at just distribution of the natural resources.
And we need all the strength we can get. So lets the last line of the inauguration of the president be our prayer too; So help me God