The global Hindu declaration on climate change has been launched in India by the respected Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji, Hindu leader Kiran Bali MBE JP, Swami Chaturvedi Ji and Jain leader Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji. It is endorsed by over 60 Hindu organisations, and is a call for action from both the world´s 900 million Hindus as well as by the 196 governments meeting in Paris from 30 November to 11 December at the 21st Conference of Contracting Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21).
Kiran Bali MBE JP, Global interfaith leader and Religious Advisor to the Bhumi project, said, "Our planet is at a catastrophic tipping point. All of God's creation is facing an untimely devastation. This will not be selective of our borders, our religions, or our human rights.
"As Children of Mother Earth Bhumi Devi, now is the time for us to heal the wounds that we have inflicted on our Mother.
"How can we be effective stewards of all life, when we as the most intelligent form of life are responsible for all damage to our environment?
"Now is the time to join hands to take us from a world of devastation to one of divinity. From a world of harm to healing and from selfishness to stewardship."
The Declaration is an initiative of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies / Bhumi Project, in partnership with the Hindu American Foundation, the interfaith environmental organisation GreenFaith, and the interfaith campaign for climate action OurVoices, supported by the Ved Vidnaan Mahavidyapeeth and Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust.
