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Most Religious Believers Favor International Efforts To Curb Climate Change, Nuclear Risks, Poverty December 12th, 2011

A majority of Americans professing a belief in God, favor cooperative international efforts to combat climate change, environmental degradation, and the spread of nuclear weapons – branding them a moral obligation – says a new public opinion poll conducted jointly by the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM) and its Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA).

The nearly 1,500 Americans surveyed include large numbers of Catholics and Evangelicals.
The study, Faith and Global Policy Challenges: How Spiritual Values Shape Views on Poverty, Nuclear Risks, and Environmental Degradation, also finds that a majority of “believers” consider addressing global poverty a “spiritual obligation,” and think that the United States should work cooperatively with other nations to reduce it.

“This research challenges common political stereotypes that pigeonhole religious Americans as liberal or conservative on environmental and nuclear proliferation issues,” says University of Maryland Public Policy Professor and study co-author John Steinbruner, who directs CISSM.

“These findings demonstrate the public’s strong moral impulse to address global policy challenges — an impulse that if applied properly could break the current impasse on these issues,” Steinbruner adds.

Though most believers in the study do not consider addressing environmental and nuclear risks to be spiritual obligations, they do understand these issues as a part of “good stewardship,” the study finds.

“While for many believers there is a tenuous connection between their spiritual values and issues related to the environment and the risk of nuclear war, they are nonetheless very responsive to the idea that there is an obligation to protect God’s creation, or to be good stewards of the earth,” explains study co-author Steven Kull, director of PIPA.

Read the Full Report (PDF)

 

Politicians Slow to Act, Despite Warnings from Scientists December 6th, 2011

Fr. Sean McDonagh, SSC reflects on why it is so urgent for politicians meeting in Durban, South Africa for the global climate talks to act quickly and forcefully. (Download PDF)

Pope Benedict Urges Climate Change Agreement November 29th, 2011

Benedict XVI urged international leaders to reach a credible agreement on climate change, keeping in mind the needs of the poor and of future generations.

John Thavis of Catholic News Service reports that the pope made the remarks at his noon blessing at the Vatican Nov. 27, the day before officials from 194 countries were to begin meeting in Durban, South Africa. They will discuss next steps in reducing greenhouse gases and stopping global temperatures from rising.

“I hope that all members of the international community can agree on a responsible, credible and supportive response to this worrisome and complex phenomenon, keeping in mind the needs of the poorest populations and of future generations,” the pope said.

Read more here.

South African Archbishop Calls for Action on Climate Change November 22nd, 2011

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI, (Johannesburg – South Africa) has issued a pastoral letter on behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on the upcoming United Nations Conference on Climate Change. The conference will be held in Durban from 28 November–9 December 2011.

The Archbishop said, “This global climate crisis poses a great spiritual challenge to all Christians, people of all faiths, and all people of goodwill as it is the consequence of the destruction of God’s creation in which we have all participated in one way or another. It calls for a change of mindset, and a change of lifestyle to reduce our dependence on fossil-fuel energy like coal and oil. We call on all parishes, communities and organizations at local, regional and national levels, as well as individual Catholics:

• To reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by using your own properties productively to grow trees that will absorb carbon dioxide;
• To grow vegetables and crops organically to reduce the use of chemical-based fertilizers;
• To share the food thus grown with the hungry and malnourished in your midst.”

Read the document (Download PDF)

 

Moving Planet was amazing! September 26th, 2011

Moving Planet was a worldwide day to move beyond fossil fuels, with over 2000 events in more than 175 countries! Learn more…

Forest Peoples Programme Newsletter Available in Three Languages July 22nd, 2011

Given the increasingly urgent threat of climate change, efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation have led to sustained calls by indigenous peoples and concerned NGOs that forest peoples’ rights must be secured. These programs, known as REDD, are supposed to respect human rights and ensure the effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. Funders are to ‘safeguard’ these principles and ensure countries observe their international obligations.

Learn more in the newsletter of the Forest Peoples Programme, available also in Spanish and French.

Puede leer nuestro boletín de noticias en español

Lisez notre e-newsletter en français

Forest Peoples Programme supports forest peoples to secure and sustainably manage their forests, lands and livelihoods.

Their strategies to achieve this include:

(a) promoting the rights and interests of forest peoples at local, national and international levels;

(b) creating space for forest peoples to have an effective voice in decision-making processes;

(c) challenging top-down policies and projects that deprive local peoples of resources;

(d) coordinating support among environmental organizations for forest peoples’ vision;

(e) supporting community-led sustainable forest management; and

(f) publicizing forest peoples’ plight through research, analysis and documentation.

For more information, visit the Forest Peoples Programme website.

 

 

 

 

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