The GreenFaith International Network (GFI) is organising a Sacred People, Sacred Earth Year of Action around a series of 10 Demands which represent a moral and spiritual compact between people and planet. These demands prioritize the urgency of the climate crisis and the steps which must be taken to solve it. In the following pages we share these demands, each accompanied by a brief story of a grassroots action on 11 March and more information about why action is necessary in the struggle for global climate and environmental justice.
You can experience the energy and passion of these actions by watching this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_1coxKJOR8&t=12s.
GFI is planning its next day of action in late 2021, before the November United Nations climate negotiations. We hope you’ll get involved! Watch www.sacredpeoplesacredearth.org for more information.
May this resource be a blessing.
Sacred People Sacred Earth is the biggest-ever faith-climate justice day of action globally in support of the boldest-ever set of demands from diverse religious partners. Hundreds of local events are being held on 11th March, at 11 am in varying time zones - this is the eleventh hour for action to address the worsening climate emergency.
As a global, multi-faith, grassroots alliance, we stand for equity and compassion for all, and we deplore injustice. We know that we cannot afford to wait for governments and financial institutions to act first; we understand that change starts with us. We are organizing grassroots people of diverse religions in support of a set of demands for climate justice, and we are leading by example.
Here is the statement and bold demands that grassroots faith communities around the world have developed, and we're providing opportunities for people of diverse faiths and spiritualities everywhere to get involved.
Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca, Nebraska, whose statue is in the Capitol building. Artist: Benjamin Victor, 2019
ARRCC is proud to be a member of the global United Religions Initiative which has issued this statement.
We, at the United Religions Initiative, share concern and grief following the violence that took place at the United States Capitol on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021. During a Joint Session of Congress to certify the Electoral College's results for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, hundreds of rioters stormed the chambers and offices of the US Capitol, resulting in the injuries of dozens, the death of five people, and a nation whose framework for democracy hangs in the balance. We unequivocally condemn these attacks and any attempt to undermine the voice and integrity of a united and free people.
Fortitude Valley, Friday Nov 13
On Friday, ten people of faith peacefully protested against rail company Aurizon's lack of transparency in their coal hauling operations.
“I’m here today because I can’t sit back while the future of my little boy is at risk” said Erin Kennedy, a Catholic, artist, teacher and mother from Logan.
She and nine other members of the faith-based group Faith in Climate Action blockaded Aurizon’s corporate headquarters in Fortitude Valley on Friday by kneeling in prayer outside the doors.
The group was calling on Aurizon management to be more transparent about the climate-change-causing emissions from the thermal coal they haul in their multi million dollar business.
The Dean of St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, and Chair of Angligreen have written this heartfelt letter to Mr Prem Watsa, CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings, which owns Insurance companies Allied World, Brit and Newline. Of these, Brit remains at risk of insuring Adani.
Please pray that Mr Watsa, who is a devout practising Anglican, is moved by this appeal from these Anglican clergy. If you feel moved by this message from The Very Rev's Dr Peter Catt and the Rev'd Peter Moore, you may want to write to Mr Watsa too.
It is absurd that local father Mr Pennings continues to be legally pursued by an international conglomerate when Mr Pennings has been beyond reasonable in his response.
Mr Pennings has openly shared that he simply now wants to care for his young children and ageing parents and yet Adani seems determined to punish Mr Pennings for previously exercising his right as an Australian citizen to stand up for our iconic Reef and our farmers’ groundwater.
On August 26 the Wangan and Jagalingou tribal warriors delivered an official eviction notice to Adani for illegally trespassing on Country.
For 5 days, the Wangan and Jagalingou people enforced this eviction notice by the blocking the road to the Adani site. However on Friday, instead of arranging a promised meeting with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, the Queensland police did Adani’s bidding and forced the land defenders to move from the road.
Bet El Synagogue solar panels
Our governments are making decisions now about rebuilding our economy for the October budget announcements. Now is the time to contact them and say we want them to respond to the science of climate change in the way they have responded to COVID-19. They need to develop clean new industries such as outlined in the BZE million jobs and the Climate Council 76 000 clean jobs plans. We can write and see our local MPs preferably representing groups such as our congregations. ....
We can pray that the spirit of truth will prevail so that as in the pandemic, governments will act wisely by consulting experts and acting accordingly.
by Marguerite Marshall
ARRCC supporters in Newcastle supporting Student Strike for Climate, Sep 20, 2019
Dated 4 August, 2020
Dear Mr Morrison, Mr Albanese, Mr Bandt and Mr McCormack,
I write as the coordinator of the Josephite Justice Network. The Sisters of St Joseph were founded by Mary MacKillop in 1866 to work with those at the edges of society. ......
At this very time, when scientists are establishing new possibilities to assist in our recovery, both environmentally and economically, it is of enormous concern to us to watch as the Government moves to support fossil fuels.
In this article, reprinted from Anglican Focus, St Andrew’s, South Brisbane Youth Group leader, Oscar Delaney, reflects on growing up in Indian slums, how climate change will hit the worst-off first and hardest and why he is taking on mining tycoon Clive Palmer.
Oscar is part of a new group called Youth Verdict. "A diverse group of 25 young Queenslanders, we will argue in the Land Court of Queensland that Clive Palmer’s proposed Waratah Coal Mine, which would extract four times as much coal annually as the Adani mine, endangers our human rights to life and property by causing more frequent and severe extreme weather events. This landmark case is the first to link climate change to human rights in Australia, and a win could have profound ramifications for other carbon-intensive projects around the country."
