2013: Religious leaders representing the Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Catholic faith traditions have called on both Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott to wind back coal exports and recognise the moral implications of inaction on climate change. The leadership have writtern an open letter to the Australian people. An open letter from Australian religious leaders: As people of faith, we draw attention to one of the most urgent moral issues facing us in the upcoming election. The International Energy Agency and other influential bodies are now warning us about an unthinkable 4 degree Celsius rise in temperatures if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. Recent experiences of extreme weather events, both here and overseas, are a mild foretaste of what this will mean. We are despoiling the world given to us as a sacred trust for future generations. The world is already moving to take strong preventative action. Ninety countries, representing 90 per cent of global emissions, have carbon reduction programs in place and Australia now has price on carbon. However our country continues to be a significant contributor to the problem. With our small population, we are among the world's 20 largest emitters and one of the two largest coal exporters. We must wind back our exports of cheap coal which are currently hindering the global drive for renewable energy. We must diminish our reliance on fossil fuels and replace them with clean, renewable sources of energy. As part of this, carbon pricing must be given bipartisan support. Only then will Australia be part of the solution. In the upcoming election we urge all Australians to give this moral issue the attention it demands. Our world is a blessing, a gift, and a responsibility. We must act now if we are to protect this sacred trust. Signatories: Rev. Professor Andrew Dutney, President, Uniting Church of Australia National Assembly Archbishop Philip Wilson, Archbishop of Adelaide & Chair of Catholic Earthcare Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, Grand Mufti of Australia Professor Nihal Agar, Chairman, Hindu Council of Australia Ajahn Brahm, Chair, Australian Sangha Association, Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery Sr Annette Cunliffe rsc, President, Catholic Religious Australia Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, Senior Rabbi, The Great Synagogue, Sydney Rev. Dr Brian Brown, Moderator, Uniting Church of Australia Synod NSW/ACT Bishop George Browning, Convenor, Anglican Communion Environmental Network Professor Neil Ormerod, Professor of Theology, Australian Catholic University Mr Hafez Kassem, President, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, Senior Rabbi, Emanuel Synagogue Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky, Chairperson, Rabbinic Council of Progressive Rabbis Graeme Lyall AM, President, Amitabha Buddhist Association of New South Wales Rev. Professor James Haire AC AM, Director, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture Rev. Rod Benson, Ethicist & Public Theologian, Australian Baptist Ministries ~ This open letter was organised by Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) ~

• published: 28 Aug 2013
• views: 4260