Formed just a year ago, the forum representing different faith groups’ expression of creation care, wrote of their hopes for the outcome of this year’s conference:
We, the undersigned, members of different faith groups within Norfolk state the following in the light of the on-going discussions of the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
On the 23 November 2003, António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General said:
“Countries must commit to triple renewables capacity, double energy efficiency and bring clean power to all, by 2030. And they must also commit to phasing out fossil fuels, with a clear time frame aligned to the 1.5-degree limit.”
As a Norfolk Inter-Faith Coalition on Creation Care, we call upon our global representatives to make just and righteous decisions at the COP28 climate conference by:
- cutting emissions in order to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5⁰C
- making sure there is the money available to make the changes needed and to support countries already facing irreversible loss and damage
- putting nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action
- making sure everyone’s voices are included, especially those who are not usually heard including learning from and work with our indigenous peoples who have the most harmonious relationships with the natural world
To achieve peace on earth, we must also achieve peace with the earth, and with each other.
Professor Peter Belton (Norwich Quaker Meeting)
Revd Canon Dr Mark Dimond, (King’s Lynn Minster)
David Griffith, Chair of Norwich Interfaith Link (Christian).
Nirajamani Anna Grubb (Ordained Buddhist)
Liz Hoffbauer (Norfolk and Waveney Church Leaders’ Representative for the Quakers)
Fazlun Khalid (Founder Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences)
Revd Canon David Longe (Chair of the Diocese of Norwich Environmental Working Group, Anglican)
Anthony McCarthy (Secretary Baha’i Faith – Norwich community)
Marsha Parker (Jewish Inter Faith member)
Chris Wood (Norwich Pagan Moot)