Interfaith coalition galvanizes action on climate emergency

NEW YORK — Building on the momentum of the United Nations Climate Change Summit 2019 in New York on Sept. 23, a coalition of more than 45 global interfaith organizations will join the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for a faith-based civil society consultation on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to address the current climate emergency. The consultation will meet under the theme "Climate Emergency: Faith-based Organizations Raising Ambition — Leaving No One Behind."  

A global, Interfaith group of leaders is coming together for the consultation to share experiences, commitments and perspectives. Their goal is to produce plans detailing how the interfaith community can galvanize global movement. This watershed moment requires action by all, and faith voices of recognition and hope are imperative.

"The negative impacts of climate change and pollution are shouldered disproportionately by the most vulnerable, who have often contributed the least to the problems and are not equipped to implement response measures or build resilience," said Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA program director for environment and corporate social responsibility. "All of creation is interlinked. We are compelled to comprehend our commonalities and value the worth and dignity of all life. We must find ways to reach across political, sectoral and functional lines, and work together with all of our global neighbors."

Special reports from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2018 and 2019 expressed the urgency of taking rapid action over the next decade to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, in order to avoid the risks associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes to the global environment. The consultation will focus on climate emergency declarations by faith groups; climate justice; climate migration, loss and damage; and actionable plans for 2019 and beyond. 

To speak with a participating leader or learn more about the event, please contact Karen Krueger at 202-626-3844 or karen.krueger@elca.org.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.5 million members in more than 9,100 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.