October 28th, 2009
By Harriet Blake
Green Right Now
It’s not just environmental lobbyists who are gearing their words toward strong action at the upcoming Copenhagen climate change negotiations.
At a recent appearance in New Orleans, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, dubbed the “Green Patriarch” by Al Gore, minced no words about the urgency of addressing climate change:
“We have reached a defining moment in our history…the point where absolute limits to our survival are being reached,” and we “instead of living on income, or the available surplus of the earth, we are consuming environmental capital and destroying its resources as if there is no tomorrow.”
The Patriarch was speaking at the opening address for the 8th Religion, Science and Environment (RSE) Symposium that began Oct. 20. The RSE, a non-governmental organization based in Athens, began in 1995 with the mission to protect the planet by providing common ground among the worlds of religion, science and the environment. His All Holiness Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Christian Orthodox Church, oversees RSE.
The symposiums look at the future of global waters, which cover 7/10 of the planet’s surface. Scientists, environmentalists, policy makers and representatives from the world’s major religions have developed what RSE’s website describes as “a vibrant environmental ethics movement.”
In addressing the symposium, entitled “Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River,” the Patriarch said, “We stand in solidarity with the people of New Orleans and all people who seek a better life. And we are present with you to call for a renewed consciousness for environmental responsibility, and an awareness of what such a consciousness entails.”
Blessing the Mississippi, His All Holiness Bartholomew and Cardinal McCarrick
Referring to the Mississippi, the Patriarch said, “this river comprises a microcosm of our planet. In its waters, we observe many of the world’s ecological issues. We are humbled in its presence. We have come to listen to its story, to learn from its history…As the Mississippi links the prairies to the sea, we ourselves form the link between the past and the future.”
The symposium, said RSE spokesman Paul Brown, “was one of the last major gatherings before the critical climate talks to be held in Copenhagen in late November and early December.”
Although there are indications that the United States and China hope for success, “many feel that the world’s politicians do not understand the urgency of the situation, or the need for radical thinking and action,” he said.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader to 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, echoed this thought in his opening address, where he spoke of the need for change and for humans to recognize that we are at “a defining moment in our history.”
Brown said the group hopes the serious tone is not lost on policymakers.
“Climate change,” Brown said, “does not respect national boundaries…Religion and science should transcend national boundaries: both forces need to make their voices heard and galvanize the politicians at Copenhagen into action.”
His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew has led other symposia around the world, featuring the Danube and Amazon Rivers, the Aegean and Black Seas.
Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media
