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Link to Report 'Australia's faith communities on climate change'
Our Environment - A Report on the Climate Change Event
On Sunday 22nd April 2007 Interfaith Forum ACT organised a workshop entitled “Our Environment”. Around
sixty people attended the discussions held at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre Civic Square.
Ms Trish Harrap, the Director of the Conservation Council of S.E. Region and Canberra introduced the first item. She
showed a power point presentation of an Australian version of “An Inconvenient Truth” based in part on
some of the information in the original film produced by Al Gore, and containing some up-dates of information and more references
to changes in our own region. With graphs and charts she discussed the balance between natural variability of climate and
the changes brought about through human activity. From some of the conclusions it would seem that the map of the world might
need redrawing.
Three factors were discussed as having an effect on climate change:-
1) The population explosion.
2) The science/technology revolution
3) Our ways of thinking and lifestyle
Three misconceptions were also highlighted:-
1) It is a misconception that there is disagreement among scientists on the issue: but Trish showed that a large global
group of scientists were all in agreement on the essential climate-change facts; only the media tend to express doubts about
it.
2) It is a misconception that there is a need to choose between the economy and the environment; it is not an either-or-situation,
we need to maintain both.
3) It is a misconception that the problem is so large that we cannot cope.
In the second section of the workshop representatives from eleven faith groups gave a short expression of how their
beliefs affected our responsibilities and responses towards the environment. Each representative had been referred to the
Climate Institute Publication “Common Belief” which was published in December 2006.
This booklet contains short presentations from religious leaders from sixteen faiths or denominations. Representatives
quoted from their Scriptures about personal and community responsibilities to God, our creator, with respect to care of our
gifted Earth and avoiding abuse of our heritage. Comments included both our material and spiritual responsibilities.
Refreshments were then provided in very environmentally friendly containers
For the third section another power-point presentation was prepared by Sr. Carmel Wallis , the Director of the Erin Earth
Project in Wagga Wagga. Since she could not be present, Vernon Bailey gave a commentary on the approaches and successes of
the 10 year project which has produced an environmentally friendly garden with information about the uses of local native
plants, innovative use of water and vigorous interchange with and impact on the local community. The project, now well established,
is often visited by schools as an educational project.
At the end of the afternoon the assembly was invited to discuss ways in which a Faith Group Garden action plan could
be started in Canberra. The suggestions will be followed up by the faith groups at later meetings of Interfaith Forum. The
next meeting of IFFACT which will discuss this issue will be on Sunday 10th June at 4 p.m. at 38, Wisdom Street, Hughes.
Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre
2nd Fl above Canberra Museum & Gallery
North Building, 180 London Circuit
Civic Square Canberra ACT
1 'An Inconvenient Truth' A live PowerPoint presentation by Trish Harrap, Director, Conservation Council of SE Region
& Canberra.
2 Different faith groups present views on Climate based on the Climate Institute Publication 'A Common Belief'
3 'Experiencing Environment' a PowerPoint presentation by Sister Carmel
4 Faith Groups Garden Action Plan Discussion and suggestions welcome.
Sunday April 22nd 2 - 5 pm
Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre
2nd Fl above Canberra Museum & Gallery
North Building, 180 London Circuit
Civic Square Canberra ACT
Refreshments provided. Gold coin donation appreciated.
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