Islamic leaders from 20 countries launched a bold Climate Change Declaration to engage the world's 1.6 billion Muslims on this urgent issue. Adopted by the 60 participants at the International Islamic Climate Change Symposium held early last week in Istanbul, the Declaration urges governments to deliver a strong, new international climate agreement in Paris this December that will signal the end of the road for polluting fossil fuels. The Declaration can give us a chance to limit global warming levels by 2 or preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Declaration presents the moral case, based on Islamic teachings, for Muslims and people of all faiths worldwide to take urgent climate action. It was drafted by a large, diverse team of international Islamic scholars from around the world following a lengthy consultation period prior to the symposium. The Declaration calls for a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and a switch to 100% renewable energy as well as increased support for vulnerable communities who are already suffering from the impact of climate change. People from all walks of life are calling on governments to scale up the transition away from fossil fuels. Wealthy and oil-producing nations are urged to phase out all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. All people, leaders and businesses are invited to commit to 100% renewable energy in order to tackle climate change, reduce poverty, and achieve sustainable development. Amongst keynote speakers at the Symposium were three senior UN officials - from the UN Environment Programme, the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Secretary-General's climate change team. Presentations were also made by scientists, NGO leaders and academics. Also attending were religious leaders from many faith traditions. Representing his country, Chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema, Din Syamsuddin, said during the symposium, “On behalf of the Indonesian Council of Ulema and 210 million Muslims, we welcome this Declaration and we are committed to implementing all recommendations. The climate crisis needs to be tackled through collaborative efforts, so let's work together for a better world for our children, and our children's children.” “The basis of the Declaration is the work of world renowned Islamic environmentalists, it is a trigger for further action and we would be very happy if people adopted and improved upon the ideas that are articulated in this document,” said Fazlun Khalid, founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences. “It is with great joy and in a spirit of solidarity that I express to you the promise of the Catholic Church to pray for the success of your initiative and our desire to work with you in the future to care for our common home and thus to glorify the God who created us,” said His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The teachings of Islam emphasize the duty of humans as stewards, caretakers, of the Earth. “Society is delighted by this powerful Climate Change Declaration coming from the Islamic community, which could be a game changer, as it challenges all world leaders, and especially oil producing nations, to phase out their carbon emissions and supports the just transition to 100% renewable energy as a necessity to tackle climate change, reduce poverty, and deliver sustainable development around the world,” said Wael Hmaidan, International Director of Climate Action Network. Those who signed the Climate Change Declaration call on the people of all nations and their leaders to recognize the moral obligation to reduce consumption so that the poor may benefit from what is left of the earth's non-renewable resources. There must be a paradigm shift from an unethical profit off of the environment, to that of preserving it and elevating the condition of the world's poor. To chase after unlimited economic growth in a planet that is finite and already overloaded is not viable. Growth must be pursued wisely and in moderation; placing a priority on increasing the resilience of all, and especially the most vulnerable. The Declaration calls on all Muslims wherever they may be to tackle habits, mindsets, and the root causes of climate change, environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity in their particular spheres of influence. We must follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and bring about a resolution to the global challenges that face us all. Source: Climate Action Network
