Climate change sparks lively conversations on the fourth day of Parliament
Parliament of the World’s Religions will run from Nov 1 -7, 2018 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
TORONTO, ON (November 4, 2018) –Parliament of the World’s Religion’s fourth day explored the global impacts of climate change and dynamic faith-based movements taking action to make a difference.
The day kicked off with the Climate-Action Assembly, “Care for our Earth, Responsibility for our Future.” Organized by the Parliament’s Climate Action Task Force, this morning’s assembly heard from people belonging to front-line communities impacted by climate change who called for individuals, organizations, businesses and institutions at all levels to accept responsibility for the impacts of climate change. Attendees were challenged to take a closer look at their own lives; recognizing that climate change affects collective communities and all our actions will shape future conditions for our existence.
Speakers at this morning’s assembly included:
- Uncle Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, Elder and Shaman from Greenland, commitment to the environment and indigenous issues.
- Christiana Figueres, Internationally recognized leader on global climate change and convener of Mission 2020, a global initiative to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
- Dr. Vandana Shiva, Globally-recognized physicist, Hindu author and ecofeminist, and recognized by Time Magazine as an environmental “hero”.
- Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Yanomami shaman and Portuguese-speaking spokesperson for the Yanomami Indians in Brazil.
At this mornings assembly the Parliament’s global ethics announced The Fifth Directive: Commitment to a Culture of Sustainability and Care for the Earth.
During the afternoon, several thought-provoking sessions where held including:
- Building a Global Environmental Network, where participants learned about the function of multi-sector partnerships in India, the challenges of starting an off-the grid community in Florida and how global inter-connection has created opportunities for innovated grassroot solutions to environmental challenges.
- Engaging the United Nations on climate justice and the Paris Agreement on climate change, where the panel discussed what faith communities can do towards implementing the Paris Accord and how they can make the shift to a sustainable climate future.
- Union of Concerned Scientists – Science and Urgency, where the latest findings regarding climate change impacts above a 1.5 degrees Celsius world were discussed.
This evening, Parliament attendees will enjoy an evening of spiritual music as The Parliament of the World’s Religions brings together a unique mix of renowned musicians for its Sacred Music Night.
Performers include progressive rock legend Jon Anderson – frontman and creative force behind the chart-topping British-American band Yes, Counter Measure, an acapella group featuring 13 of Canada’s top singers, Red Sky, an award-winning contemporary indigenous dance company that has received praise worldwide, Shahid Ali Khan Ensemble, a Canada-based singer in the Qawwali genre, which has roots that stretch back more than 700 years and Yael Deckelbaum, an award-winning Israeli-Canadian singer-songwriter and activist, who is well known for her song Prayer for the Mothers.
