While calling for global carbon emissions cuts, Kenya’s National
Council of Churches has launched a multifaith campaign to lobby
governments, industries and multilateral agencies to agree on a binding
treaty at the United Nations climate change talks in Paris later this
year.
A new protocol is expected to be adopted at the meeting, known as
COP21, to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which is due to expire. That
protocol required that state signers reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
based on the premise that global warming exists and human-made carbon
dioxide emissions have caused it.
A pan–African climate justice campaign,
under the slogan “We Have Faith -- Act Now for Climate Justicem,” seeks
to mobilize African religious communities on climate justice ahead of
the December conference. It has launched a 1 million signature petition
to push for a new treaty.
“As religious leaders, our commitment to the health of our planet is
not an option. It is an obligation,” said the Rev. Peter Karanja, the
Kenya church council’s general secretary.
Karanja said there is enough scientific evidence that climate change is real and its impacts are affecting the entire humanity.
Anglican Archbishop Eliud Wabukala of Kenya, said churches should be
proactive in lobbying for quick responses to global warming.
“Climate change is to blame for conflicts over resources and new epidemics,” said Wabukala.
“There will be no peace if we do not act to protect communities from
negative impacts of climate change like hunger, water scarcity and loss
of natural beauty,” added Wabukala.
By Fredrick Nzwili in National Catholic Reporter
Comments
Post a Comment