in the spirit of the Assembly ... UNITY IN CANBERRA

pathways, November 2009

Good Samaritan Sister Geraldine Kearney, representing Catholic Religious Australia, was among the leaders who met with Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water Penny Wong and other political leaders recently.

Among the "asks" were that Australia should set a target of emissions reductions of 40 per cent from 1990 levels by the year 2020 and contribute in the range of $1-4 billion dollars annually to those affected by climate change in developing countries and who need assistance to adapt.  The religious leaders were unified.

"Truth is one. The wise speak of it in many ways," said Mr Kanti Jinna, Vice Chairman of the Hindu Council of Australia.

Sr Geraldine spoke from her first-hand experience of the islands of Kiribati - where she had ministered for four years and visited only earlier in the month as part of the Pacific Calling Partnership delegation seeking first-hand and current information ahead of Copenhagen.

Developed countries were responsible for three quarters of carbon pollution in the atmosphere and had an historical and moral responsibility to act.

"People on islands in the Pacific enjoy little of the conveniences of industrialisation and contribute a fraction to global emissions, yet are subject to imminent loss of land, culture and identity," she said.  The people were trying to build sea walls as best they could but were fearful for the next generation.

She reiterated President Anote Tong's  plea to Australia for continued partnership, sacrifice and compassion especially in support of adaptation, skills training and if necessary future relocation.

Rev. Professor James Haire, Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, expressed concern for people in sub-Saharan Africa. 

"Even a small rise in global temperatures would have the effect of compounding their water shortages and devastating their populations," he said.

Each of the leaders wanted to impress on Senator Wong the growing concern about climate change among their constituencies.

Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, of Emanuel Synagogue, Woollahra, and Australia's most senior Rabbi and Chair of the Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, New Zealand, said, "Each of us must accept full responsibility for our choices and their consequences. We have a moral obligation to sustain and preserve life for generations to come."

The delegation also included Br. Ikebal Patel, President of Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and Bhante Sujato of the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils.

Other politicians visited were Shadow Ministers, Tony Abbott (Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)  and Greg Hunt (Climate Change, Environment and Water) and Clare Penrose from the Prime Minister's office.

Members of the delegation all belong to the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) which organised the meetings.

Thea Ormerod, ARRCC Chair and co-ordinator of the delegation, said faith communities were now engaging in a higher level with the issue of climate change.

"The foundation of all the great religions were built upon us being custodians and caring for the earth," she said.

"Australia and other developed countries need to address their historical responsibility for climate change by committing to strong pollution reduction targets and significant financing to assist poorer countries sustainable development and preparation for the unavoidable impacts of climate change."

ARRCC's website has a letter-writing guide for people wishing to write to their local MP about these issues before Copenhagen, December 6 - 18.