Faith and secular leaders from many traditions who gathered in Durban on December 2nd, 2011 for the United Nations Climate Change Conference signed the historic Interfaith Deceleration on Climate Change. Those present included Bishop Geoff Davis, representing Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; Christiana Figueres, head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mohandas Gandhi and a Member of Parliament in South Africa from 1994-2004. Prior signatories of the declaration include over 100 faith and secular organizations from around the world. Numerous individuals have signed the Interfaith Deceleration on Climate Change as well, including the Dalai Lama
As the issue of climate change is something which deeply concerns all us, I want to inform you that URI Africa endorses the Interfaith Declaration of Climate Change and welcomes the call of action by faith leaders at Durban climate change meeting. We all need to work together as a team and citizens of this world in addressing the issue of climate change.
"The World Health Organization predicts that unmitigated climate change will lead to significant increases in illness and death brought on by environmental changes," states the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health, a declaration signed by NGOs around the world. "These include the spread of cholera, malaria, dengue and other diseases... floods, droughts, heat waves and more. The health of many people is already suffering as consequence of climate change."
That's why I say this is an urgent issue which needs our deep attention and action. It is a matter of life or death.
With this concern in mind, URI Africa invites the leaders and members of all religious faiths; people of moral, ethical and interfaith organizations; as well as anyone concerned about climate change to endorse the Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change and do all you can to bring positive change in the world.
