Download Climate Change - Religions for Peace Australia

Scientific and Spiritual Dimensions of
Climate Change
- a Study Course
Bahai Inspired and compiled by Christine Muller
Baha’u’llah, prophet founder of the Baha’i Faith, counsels us
"Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in and center your
deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." i
Next Session
3:00 pm on 22nd December 2013
at
Bahai Centre of Learning
275 Flinders St Adelaide
Enquiries Darryl and Annemieke Braund
Mob: 0415 686 100 daz9@ southernphone.com.au
Introduction: The Purpose of this Course
Welcome to the Interfaith Study Course on Climate Change!
As a person of faith you are probably very concerned about the ongoing destruction of
the natural world and worry about the future of our children. You may consider humanity’s
role in changing the climate an assault on God’s creation. You may regard climate change as
a moral issue and would like to do something constructive to mitigate it. However, like many
people, you may be overwhelmed by the complexity of the issue. This is the reason why this
course was created. It provides a systematic scientific explanation of climate change, relates
the issue to our spiritual reality and to the ethical teachings inherent in religion, and
empowers you to take action in a personal way that fits your belief and circumstances.
Climate change may not be a threat to planet Earth, but it is a threat to the survival of
a majority of plants, animals, human beings, and to human cultures and civilization. Such a
threat is unprecedented in human history. Many people are already suffering from the
devastating impacts of climate change like increased water scarcity, more severe storms,
floods, droughts, famines, malnutrition, diseases, and dislocation from their homes. The
threat of climate change to our children and grandchildren is immense.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue. It has far-reaching implications for
our efforts to relieve poverty, to establish and maintain peace, and for the economy. It is no
exaggeration to say that the future of human civilization is at risk because we are destroying
the foundation for life on this planet. Climate change is probably the greatest threat and the
greatest challenge for humankind in the 21st century.
Al Gore said the following words after receiving the Nobel Peace Price together with
the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: "We face a true planetary emergency.
The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of
humanity."
This course has three objectives:

To gain a deeper understanding of climate change by learning about its underlying
causes and some of its impacts.

To explore ethical questions connected to climate change, and to address them within
the context of the spiritual teachings found in the world’s religions.

To discuss and apply practical solutions.
In the process of exploring the various issues raised by climate change we will use
both science and religion:


A scientific approach is used to provide a basic understanding of climate change.
A spiritual approach is used to explore the ethical dimensions of climate change.
The materials are a compilation of up-to-date scientific research and spiritual texts from the
world’s religions. The course is “text” based, that means that authentic scientific sources,
experts in the field, and religious scriptures are quoted as much as possible.
The course is based on the scientific findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC). This panel was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme; both organizations of
the United Nations. The purpose of the IPCC is to evaluate the risk of climate change caused
by human activity. It represents years of study and the consensus of 2500 international
climate experts. The IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice
President Al Gore.
The impacts of the rapid warming of the planet are becoming more and more apparent
all over the globe, which has prompted intensive research on climate change. New findings
are made public frequently and some of the most recent research is also included. As
scientific understanding of climate change is constantly evolving and growing, the course is
up-dated frequently.
This is an interfaith course. It includes the teachings and wisdom of many religions. A
deliberate attempt was made to draw directly on the original holy writings, for example the
Bible. Only occasionally secondary source materials are used. The participants will notice
that some sections feature predominantly Baha’i sources. One could explain this with the fact
that the writer of the course is a Baha’i. It is unavoidable that this has influenced the author’s
thinking, but not the selection of texts. Scriptures were selected for their relevance in the
context of climate change. That’s why different religious scriptures are not represented
equally in quantity. However, the respect shown for all religions is the same. Any faith group
can use this course. The most interesting study groups may be those that represent the most
diversity in the participants.
The course is structured for 9 classes of two hours’ duration. However, with some
creativity this format can be easily adapted to the needs and wishes of the participants..
The purpose of this course is to spread accurate knowledge about climate change to
many people. It should not be regarded as merely an enrichment for the participants.
Therefore, you will be encouraged to practice presenting specific topics to family and friends.
The despair that can be caused by the realization of the seriousness of the state of our
world will be counteracted by opening up a spiritual perspective and by empowering the
participants to action. A section in class 9 is devoted to dealing with the emotional stress that
can be triggered when becoming more aware of the real threat of climate change.
The course emphasizes action and practical solutions. Action has many dimensions.
Some major objectives for action in this course are:



Leading the participants to an environmentally responsible life so that they will be part
of the solution rather than part of the problem. This will happen by deepening our
awareness of our interconnectedness with the earth and with all other people, and by
realizing that an environmentally sustainable lifestyle is necessary for a spiritual life.
Helping our communities consider sustainability in all their activities.
Becoming competent in explaining the problem of climate change and thus becoming
an agent for positive change.
Service is an integral part of the course, as well as developing skills for service. This
is accomplished by small environmental education projects and one practical community
service project.
Much effort has been made to compile the materials in an objective way. However, if
the opinion of the author ever shines through, it constitutes only her personal view and does
not represent the views of any particular religion or institution.
This short course doesn't claim to be comprehensive. The issue of climate change is
vast and complex and its ethical implications are profound. Our purpose here is to lay a
foundation upon which you will be able to build your own knowledge, to think on your own
about the ethical dimensions, and to help make all your actions a service to humankind and a
contribution to save the foundation for life on this planet.
Class 1
Spiritual Reflections on Nature and Humankind
Section 1: Nature and Creation
Section 2: Science and Religion
Class 2 The Impacts of Climate Change
Section 1: Melting of Glaciers and the Polar Ice Caps
Section 2: Sea Level Rise
Section 3: Water Scarcity
Class 3
More Impacts of Climate Change
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
More Extreme Weather Events
Soil Erosion and Desertification
Deforestation
Loss of Biodiversity, Changes in Ecosystems
Ocean Acidification
Effects on Human Health
Multiple Stresses
Conflicts over Natural Resources
Class 4
The Causes of Global Warming
Section 1: What Is Global Warming
Section 2: A Look into the Past
Section 3: The Present and the Future
Class 5
Spiritual and Practical Dimensions - the Individual
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
What We Can Do as Individuals
Stewardship of the Earth
Spirituality as Opposed to Materialism
Moderation
Fostering Unity
Class 6
Climate Solutions
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Mitigation and Adaptation
Energy Generation and Use
Transportation
Sustainable Agriculture
Reforestation
Garbage – an Obsolete Concept
Four Difficult Issues
Class 7
Spiritual and Practical Dimensions – the Role of Society
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Justice
Poverty and Climate Change
The Empowerment of Women
The Oneness of Humankind
The Need for a World Federal System
Consultation and Decentralization
Trustworthiness - the Antidote to Corruption
Education
Class 8
Some More Climate Science
Section 1: Historical Perspective
Section 2: Future Threats
Section 3: Present Challenges
Class 9
A Challenge to All of Us
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Dealing with the Emotional Stress Caused by Climate Change
What is Progress?
The Role of Religious Communities
A Promise and a Responsibility