
2020 Faith Call to Action
for the UN Summit on Biodiversity
Faith Call to Action for Biodiversity
The natural world is a vital source of humanity’s collective flourishing, and in its grandeur can be found signs of the Divine. Throughout history, and in all parts of the world, nature is the physical loom upon which the tapestry of culture, civilization, and peace is woven. Religious and spiritual traditions compel us to care for creation, of which we are an integral part, with love, respect, and reverence.
We grieve the excessive use of natural resources that disrupts the balance of ecosystems and acknowledge our shortcomings in aligning our actions with the values and tenets of our traditions. Yet we also recognize the immense power of faith to bring about radical positive change by imparting hope and summoning the courage necessary for billions to respond to the challenges and crises before us.
As people of faith and spirit, we have a responsibility to ensure our communities cultivate an appreciation for the natural world. Transformation comes through nurturing faithful attitudes and approaches that create sustainable patterns of individual lifestyles and collective actions. Committing to spiritual wisdom and scientific truth, we can return to a more integrated relationship with the earth, where there is abundance for all, scarcity for none, and human life thriving in harmony with the natural world.
Upholding these understandings, and honoring the work that has come before, the undersigned organizations, make the following commitments and invite all those of good will to join us in:
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Developing and implementing long term, values-based and scientifically-informed plans to regenerate, protect, and nurture the Earth’s ecosystems for the next decade and beyond.
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Working cooperatively, and collectively, helping each other along the journey to achieve a carbon neutral, nature-positive future.
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Working with humility, understanding that many solutions are to be found in nature
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Integrating humanity’s collective wisdom into our efforts, particularly that of indigenous communities and the perspectives of those most vulnerable to the impacts of environmental degradation.
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Engaging in a process of periodic tracking, re-assessment, and re-alignment in light of changing realities and opportunities.
We also call upon Heads of State and Governments at the UN 2020 Summit on Biodiversity and others to join us in taking bold and decisive leadership to integrate nature into all international frameworks and agreements.
We affirm our commitment to the United Nations’ vision and the aspirations outlined in its Charter and will continue to engage with UN processes that advance humanity’s harmonious relationship with nature.
Recognizing that safeguarding the planet requires a coordinated approach across all actors and initiatives, we align ourselves with the other calls to action being produced for this occasion at this time by the international community and welcome further collaboration in achieving our shared goals.
Background
In anticipation of the September 2020 UN Summit on Biodiversity a diverse group of religious bodies and faith based organizations convened together from June to August 2020. Their purpose was to discuss how to communicate at the Summit their perspectives, concerns, and unanimous desire for strong global action to reverse global biodiversity loss.
After several meetings involving presentations about the world's biodiversity crisis and how to respond, the group decided to write a faith Call to Action addressed to both the world leaders attending the Summit and their own faith communities.
Written by representatives from Bhumi Global, Baha’i International Community, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Parliament of the World's Religions, and the World Evangelical Alliance this faith Call to Action has been signed by over 50 religious bodies and faith based organizations. The signatories are listed below.
Signatories
A Rocha International
ACT Alliance
Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh
Aytzim: Ecological Judaism
Baha'i International Community
Bahu Trust
Bhumi Global
Brahma Kumaris Mauritius
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
Canadian Interfaith Fast For the Climate
Care of Creation Inc.
Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA)
Center for Earth Ethics
City Hindus Network
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
COMMUNITY OF LAUDATO SI' ANIMATORS IN HUNGARY
Earth Ethics, Inc.
Episcopal Diocese of California
Fast For the Climate
Focolare Movement-New Humanity
Franciscan Action Network
GLOBAL ONE 2015
Govardhan Ecovillage
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa
GreenFaith
GullahGeechee Sea Island Coalition
Hindu American Foundation
Inter-religious Climate and Ecology Network
International Environment Forum
Interreligious Rainforest Initiative Perú
ISKCON Communications
Islamic Relief Worldwide
Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network (LWCCN)
Medical Mission Sisters
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB)
National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)
NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY
Passionists International
Religions for Peace
Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary JPIC/NGO
Rhode Island Interfaith Power and Light
Sadeh
Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective
Shri Kedar 360 Trust
Sisters of Charity Federation
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Soka Gakkai International
Sustainable Actions for Nature
Temple of Understanding
The Anglican Communion
The Episcopal Church
The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development
Thomas Berry Forum for Ecological Dialogue
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society
United Planet Faith & Science Initiative
United Religions Initiative
Won Buddhism
World Evangelical Alliance
World Yoga Community