quakersandclimate

Statement in Support of a universal Right to a Healthy Environment

QUNO delivered an oral statement at the 43rd session of the UN’s Human Rights Council (HRC), recognizing the work of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment showing how human rights are seriously affected by a degraded environment. QUNO’s statement, delivered by Programme Assistant Detmer Yens Kremer, encouraged the HRC to make “an historic contribution by adopting a resolution recognizing the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” and also emphasized that the time for action is now.

An Unexpected Silence: Quaker Moments at Extinction Rebellion

National Political Engagement, Photos from Faith Communities Worldwide

Friend Brian Wardrop shares thoughts regarding his participation at an extinction rebellion protest in the attached article and elaborates on how Chelmsford Local Meeting engages with Extinction Rebellion;

“We are members of Chelmsford Local Meeting in Essex. Extinction Rebellion Chelmsford (XRC) was formed in February 2019. Several activist Friends in our Meeting joined the movement and, after discussion, Chelmsford Meeting agreed to support them and XRC.

Chelmsford Meeting provides premises for XRC events, as well as for XR Quaker groups passing through that need accommodation, such as a group of Quakers from Norwich cycling to London to join the April Rebellion.

Because Jean and I live so close to London, and are now retired, we have been able to lend our support to actions such as The Time is Now lobby of MPs, and events during the October Rebellion, such as the XR Grandparents rally outside Buckingham Palace.“

enough-is-enough Download

United Nations Report on the Rights of Children and a Healthy Environment

General Resources, International Political Engagement

For the next session of the Human Rights Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has released a report on the rights of the child through a healthy environment. This report details the obligations of states and the responsibilities of states regarding the enjoyment of children’s rights and the environment. It includes climate change child activists, environmental health impacts of child labor, and best practices from international, regional, and national governments.

Quakers Express Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en People

National Political Engagement

CFSC associate member Paul Joffe, Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator Jennifer Preston, Kirby Muldoe of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, and Hereditary Chief Na’Moks of the Wet’suwet’en at Friends House in New York City while attending the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 2017

Canadian Friends Service Committee has released a statement in support of the ongoing protests by the Wet’suwet’en Nation people and hereditary chiefs in opposition to proposed pipelines on unceded land. The statement includes that “The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms rights and related obligations to ensure that conflicts like this will not be addressed violently or militarily but rather resolved with negotiated solutions.” It is a reminder that climate change is a peace and justice issue.

FWCC Shares Sustainability Resources

General Resources, Spiritual, Lifestyle and Community

Friends World Committee for Consultation has created a Sustainability Resources list on their website, which includes reports from different meetings around the world, personal testimonies from Friends, and links to publications and podcasts from FWCC as well as other Quaker organizations such as QUNO and Quakers in Britain. FWCC also has an Instagram page where more information and narrative is shared.

Interfaith Blessings with a Quaker Contribution

Spiritual, Lifestyle and Community

Beverly Ward, the Southeastern Yearly Meeting Field Secretary for Earthcare, attended a “Peace Breakfast: an Interfaith gathering” at Valencia College in Orlando, United States. Faith leaders were asked to share touchstones—“a touchstone transcends any one religion, thought, or spiritual tradition and serves as a guide. These touchstones provide examples of specific prayers, passages or scripture, or inspirations from various sacred texts or philosophical writings associated with diverse traditions.” Those present were invited to present a touchstone about how humans are accountable to the care and protection of planet Earth.

interfaithtouchstonesbeverlyward Download

Climate Justice: A Quaker View

General Resources, National Political Engagement

Quaker Peace and Social Witness, under the larger Britain Yearly Meeting umbrella, has released an accessible and quick guide to possible Quaker climate action. This resource explains key terms and directs British Quakers and their Meetings to helpful contacts.

climatejusticequakerview Download

Australia Yearly Meeting Letter Regarding Bushfires

General Resources, Spiritual, Lifestyle and Community

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 19: Fire and Rescue personal watch a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin on December 19, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images)

As the Climate Change-heightened Australian bush fires continue, Australian Friends have received many expressions of concern from Friends around the world. Presiding Clerk Ann Zubrick has sent the attached letter on behalf of Australian Friends to Friends Everywhere, in response to these messages.

australiayearlymeetingletter Download

World Ecology Report on Effects of Climate Change on Humans

Spiritual, Lifestyle and Community

Richard Whiteford, a climate change consultant and member of Downingtown Friends Meeting, published an article in the latest World Ecology Report entitled “Effects of Climate Change Impacts on Humans” which discusses the 2019 Climate Summit and recent climate science and its communication to non-scientist audiences, and calls for unity and ambition to act on climate change before it is too late.

wer-2019-vol-xxix-no-4-1 Download

Bolivian Friends International Bilingual Center Weaves Sustainability in Youth Education

Spiritual, Lifestyle and Community

The Friends International Bilingual Center was set up by Quaker volunteers in Bolivia. It offers educational programmes for children, young people and adults focused on social concerns, spiritual growth and stewardship of creation which are all important Quaker Principles. The following document outlines a few actions undertaken and shares the climate change-specific context in Bolivia