Statement on climate change:
“Care for the Earth has long been a focus of Canadian church work for justice and peace. Today, climate justice calls attention to the disproportional effects of the fossil-fuels dependent economy on countries that produce most greenhouse gases and those that suffer the effects of climate change; it also calls attention to the effects on future generations whose world will have been altered forever because of our consumption patterns today. The need for effective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is urgent. The responsibility to act is all of ours: individuals, faith communities, businesses, civil society, industries, all levels of government” (From the Canadian Council of Churches’ Climate Justice Webpage).
Interfaith Statements on Climate Change:
- 2015: On Promoting Climate Justice and Ending Poverty in Canada
- 2011: Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change. This statement came out of the Interfaith Forum on Faith and Climate was organized by a collaborative interfaith committee on climate justice, including The Commission of Justice and Peace of the Canadian Council of Churches, Citizens for Public Justice, Faith and the Common Good, The Hill Times and Embassy Magazine. It was attended by more than 50 people from diverse religious backgrounds. Panelists highlighted the “urgency of the climate change crisis and the profound hope for change that collaborative action of faith communities can offer.”
Resources Available:
- Ecumenical sermons, small group studies, songs, prayers, and opportunities for action
- KAIROS and CPJ have Policy briefing & Discussion Papers on key domestic and foreign policy issues
- Greening Sacred Spaces has a simple guide to thinking about first steps towards personal and church greening, among their many resources for churches looking to increase their “mission per square foot.”
Please note: CPJ has compiled this resource using publicly available information to help people of faith join the action already being taken by national organizations. It is not meant as a comprehensive history, but if we’ve missed something important please let us know by emailing ac.jpc@etamilc.