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Tropical Leaves

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:

 

  • 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.

  • Working cooperatively, and collectively, helping each other along the journey to achieve a carbon neutral, nature-positive future.

  • Working with humility, understanding that many solutions are to be found in nature

  • 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.

  • 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 GlobalBaha’i International CommunityBuddhist Tzu Chi FoundationParliament 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

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