Members of URI's Environmental Resource Cooperation Circle convene outside the San Francisco global office
World Environment Day, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, is “the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment.” On this day, the United Religions Initiative family gathers to share their wishes for a healthier planet, and to encourage the ideal that URI’s Purpose Statement describes as “cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.”
Dear URI family,
I am excited to be celebrating World Environment Day with you this year. I strongly believe that environmental work goes hand in hand with URI’s mission because, regardless of faith tradition, ethnicity, culture, or belief, every human by necessity shares a single planet. Therefore, our home is the most basic starting point for interfaith cooperation. I believe a common desire for clean air, water, and food will eventually unite humanity under a single goal and allow us to work alongside each other to surpass our superficial differences.
Regardless of what disputes we may have with our neighbors, the earth under our feet is, quite literally, our common ground.
Happy World Environment Day,
Gaea Denker, URI Communications Manager
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Dear Colleagues,
Greetings of peace from URI-Africa.
Today is World Environment Day. World Environment Day is observed every year on 5 June - a day designated by the UN to raise awareness of environmental issues.
The theme of World Environment Day 2015 is 'Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.'
On the occasion of World Environment Day I want to express the commitment of URI-Africa to enhance more its working partnership with UNEP Regional Office for Africa in addressing the issue of environmental protection, climate change and caring for Mother Earth.
As you recall URI-Africa took the initiative in launching the Green Rule campaign in partnership with UNEP Office at the African Union Conference hall.
All the religions of the world have traditionally expressed ethical concern for the environment in what is called now the Green Rule. The Green Rule draws on scriptures from different religions to advocate environmental protection as a universal principle based on the message of the Green Rule, which is, “DO UNTO THE EARTH AS YOU WOULD HAVE IT DO UNTO YOU.” Selected from many of the world’s great religious texts and spiritual teachings, the Green Rule was chosen to demonstrate that each religion and spiritual philosophy has a long-standing tradition of ecological stewardship.
I am happy to inform you that URI–Africa is in the final stage of finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNEP Regional Office for Africa to expand more working partnership with URI member organizations and UNEP office in different part of Africa.
URI-Africa also joins hand with UNEP to promote the initiative of the Green Rule Campaign to call for different religions in Africa to work together for environmental conservation and to address the issue of climate change.
The official partnership which URI-Africa is establishing with UNEP through the MoU will also help for URI CCs members in different part of the world to initiate working partnership with UNEP office in their respective countries.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
In peace and gratitude,
Mussie Hailu, URI African Continental Coordinator
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Best greetings,
Faiths Without Borders (Uskot ilman rajoja ry. in Finnish) organized in cooperation with the Lutheran Church a dialogue event about sustainable ways of life.
There is an article with a photo. Last week celebrated the Neighborhood Day. You can find info about our event there as well, in Finnish again. FWB organized that event in cooperation with Lutheran Church, The Islamic Information Association, and the Islamic Community in Finland.
Peace and all good,
Heidi Rautionmaa, former URI Global Council Trustee and European Executive committee member
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I too applaud these wonderful efforts! And I love the Green Rule!
With blessings for Peace,
Rabbi Pamela Frydman, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County
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In Malawi, the environment has been a problem because, in a misinterpretation of democracy, people have been cutting trees carelessly for charcoal and firewood. We had no strong punishment for them. The situation has reduced people’s interest in planting and taking care of environment. But now, we are happy to see that our government involves the armed forces to create order at Dzalanyama Game Reserve, where it almost became a soccer ground. As of now we have encouraged many Cooperation Circles to make sure the environment is counted more, especially two groups: Ntcheu group, who were given about 12 hectares of land and, as I am writing, they have already planted part of it. The other is Nkhata Bay group, who was given uncountable hectares of land around two mountains. They as well are in the process of planting trees. These two areas have rain almost throughout the year and cool weather.
Thanks once again for good job. Stay blessed.
Geoffrey Manasseh of Lilongwe Central Cooperation Circle
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Hi, fellow custodians of this beautiful planet.
Happy Environment Day!
Nature, as explained to me by our indigenous elders AUS - her systems and her very breath - provide us with food. When we protect her, listen to her, when we allow her to flourish, holistically, in our replant, recover phase, we can create anew. We can not only plant trees, but we can ensure food security as we green our own back yards, harvest our seeds, as to ensure they can and will propagate again, teach our children to care for the skin of the land - all of it by our own example.
Allow her in her majestic all powerful creativity to even support the growing of food in areas where people go hungry; even slums, dry lands, we can support to be greened to bring sustenance, hope and vitality into the lives of many. We can use our science well to reclaim our soils and environments. As we change the focus to what we can do and be together, we must search for holistic answers. Together, in confidence, look carefully at the choices we make . The focus has to be on wholeness, leading to holy, for this is what holy means: to be integrated and whole. Our planet can be this. And we, along with it, all faiths together, leading the way. It is up to us. Dreaming. We can re-green, we can renew, and we can create food for all - with all, and demonstrate respect for all life. Seeing it as sacred… in all actions... and transactions.
Pauline Crosbie of Bumblebee Global Renewal Projects CC
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Happy World Environment Day!
Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care. What a challenge.
Let us think, if my action will contribute and make a difference, then love and respect Mother Earth.
Regards.
Ms Naseem George T.I., Coordinator, Seeds of Peace CC, Sargodha – Pakistan
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Happy World Environment day to you too!
I am happy to share with you all the Green Rule Study Guide as a resource for this wonderful day. You can also view all of URI's environmental resources.
In Peace,
Sari Heidenreich, Regional Coordinator for North America
