By RFP-USA Staff
MOVING FORWARD ON CLIMATE ACTION IN LIMA
On the evening of Sunday December 7, faith communities around the world staged vigils calling for climate action. These vigils were organized through the Our Voices campaign, a global multi-faith campaign expressing the moral imperative behind climate change, of which Religions for Peace USA is a continental partner.
Since then, in monasteries, churches, and temples, on hills, streets and bridges, people from all across the world have been lighting candles, singing songs, and saying prayers in support of global action for climate change. At least 30 vigils in 13 countries have been held, a dazzling display of hope and compassion from people of faith around the world. You can add your voice here.
Praying for “Conference of the Parties”
Sahar Alsahlani, Executive Council member of Religions for Peace USA, speaks at the #LightforLima vigil in NYC.
These vigils have coincided with the Conference of the Parties meeting in Lima, Peru, held December 1-12, charged to “lay the foundation” for a comprehensive climate program to be passed in Paris next December. In her opening address, the United Nations’ top climate official, Christina Figueres, called on delegates to ride the wave of energy started by New York’s People’s Climate March and other September events, and to reach a universal climate change agreement in the Conference of Parties meeting in Paris a year from now.
“Never before have the risks of climate change been so obvious and the impacts so visible,” Ms. Figueres said in a press release prior to the COP meeting. “Never before have we seen such a desire at all levels of society to take climate action. Never before has society had all the smart policy and technology resources to curb greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience. All of this means we can be confident we will have a productive meeting in Lima, which will lead to an effective outcome in Paris nextyear.”
Without our voices sounding out a drumbeat of support from now until December 2015, the moral imperative will be lost amidst the political pandering that can overtake these sessions. It is vitally important that we combine our voices with others in order to clearly and powerfully communicate the necessity behind a strong climate treaty in Paris late next year.