“The Power of People” – Brahma Kumaris at COP24

Poland (Europe): From December 1-14, Green Peace is managing the Climate Hub in Katowice, very near the site of COP (24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).  It has become a popular meeting space for the youth and the Polish civil society.  Carolin, representing the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, moderated the session “The Power of People” organized by the Brahma Kumaris.  She welcomed Sister Jayanti, Valériane, Kuba Gogolewski (Development YES – Pit Mines NO) and Swami Atmarupananda (Global Peace Initiative of Women).

Panelists: Carolin, Kuba Gogolewski, Sister Jayanti, Valeriane, and Swami Atmarupananda

The panelists shared the following main points:

• Common intention makes it easy to overcome differences of opinion and for people to work together for a common cause. If our intention is free of selfishness and greed, it has the power to bring about transformation.
• IT Technology is an effective tool to take the voice of the people to their leaders.
• If I sit in meditation, it brings about change. When we meditate together, the power will reach the whole world.
• Mother Earth is a living entity and we are part of the whole ecosystem. In meditation, we develop constant positive thoughts and feelings.  We become like Mother Earth, who is always benevolent.
• For success in your activities it helps to be persistent and patient. The Polish government agreed to phase out using dirty brown coal only after many years of campaigning.
• The collective efforts of diverse religious and spiritual groups has come together in one powerful interfaith voice and they are now recognized by UNFCCC.

Multifaith responses to the prospect of Climate Engineering. Playing God?

Outside the COP, at the Higher School of Labour Protection Management, Aneta attended a program about faith and geo-engineering.  The panel of:

• Dr. Forrest Clingerman – Editor of the report’s theological essays,
• Gopal Patel – The Bhumi Project,
• Michael Thompson – Carnegie Climate Geoengineering Governance Initiative,
• Fletcher Harper – Green Faith

shared their views on this interesting topic.  During the program, diverse approaches of geo-engineering were presented.  Most of them are:

• in the early stages of development,
• carry significant uncertainty in terms of their effectiveness,
• are unproven at scale, and
• hold the potential for large-scale negative consequences.

Each technology in the geo-engineering toolbox also raises ethical questions.  To equip religious groups to understand and advocate on these issues, consistent with their moral values, GreenFaith released a report with various theological essays from many traditions and recommendations for taking action.  The report can be downloaded from: https://greenfaith.org/geoengineering.

Interfaith Coordination Meeting at COP24

Valerian and Henrik Grappe, of the World Council of Churches, warmly welcomed everyone to the first co-ordination meeting of the interfaith community at COP24.  Gratitude was expressed for those who organize and coordinate the various activities between and during COPs.

The interfaith declaration on climate change was discussed, including the topics of:

• The need to take actions to limit temperature increase to 1.5˚C,
• The lack of political will
• The need for all to take responsibility and to be accountable
• Inter-generational rights
• Considering the needs and context of the younger generation
• Racial justice and gender

The meeting ended with a minute of silence to send good wishes and positive thoughts to the COP24 negotiators and the overall process.

Open Dialogue between COP24 Presidency and civil society

At the “Seat of the People” all were welcomed by the COP24 President, Minister Michał Kurtyka.  He informed us that 31,000 people registered for COP24 and encouraged all to follow two hashtags: #takeyourseat and #justtransition.  He emphasized that this is the first truly digital COP thanks to the participation of everyone through the #takeyourseat initiative.

An Inconvenient Truth 2

Sister Jayanti, Aneta, Valeriane, Ewa, Asha and the whole Polish team went to see a screening of Al Gore’s new documentary, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power at Klub Myśli Ekologicznej.  In the film, Al Gore argues that fighting climate change is a moral battle, on par with the civil rights movement in the United States.  The lively discussion that followed was full of new information and even got a bit emotional.

Brahma Kumaris 10 Ways to change the world

The current environmental crisis is a clear call to transform our awareness and our lifestyle.  Long-lasting change in any social or environmental pattern starts with a profound shift in the minds and hearts of individuals.  These 10 points form a climate friendly mindset and have become immensely popular.  We are distributing the poster at the stand.

• Live Simply
• Be Unlimited
• Open the Heart
• Respect Life
• Be Positive
• Walk the Talk
• Empower Yourself
• Eat Well
• Follow Your Dream
• Feel the Soul