Muslims, Jews, Christians link to save the planet Can mobilizing the world’s faithful save the planet where activists without faith have failed? Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders will be speaking out on climate change next week, while conveying their shared visions on renewable energy at the Interfaith Climate and Energy Conference. It will be held in Jerusalem on Monday, March 19th and you the public are invited to attend.
Religious leaders and institutions have the potential to mobilize billions of followers in the global struggle to curb climate change, say organizers. And it is being held at an auspicious time on purpose: 90 days in advance of the UN Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development. The groups hope to generate tractable environmental change within faith-based communities.
Among the notables, panelists include the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, Archbishop Dr. Elias Chacour, Sheik Muhammed Amara, and Rabbi Ronen Lubitch.
A shout out from the Dalai Lama
Video addresses by world religious leaders will follow, from the Dalai Lama, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Orthodox Church; Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Naomi Tsur will follow the main panel event.
The Conference marks the launch of the Interfaith Seminary Students Sustainability Project, bringing together Muslim, Christian, and Jewish seminary students for a series of seminars on faith and the environment.
The Conference will also launch the first online video collection of world religious leaders on climate change.
The event is being put on by the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and the location is the beautiful Mishkenot Sha’ananim in Jerusalem. There will be transport from Tel Aviv for those who register. And admission is free, with lunch.