INTRODUCTORY SPEACH – SPEAKING POINTS
Archbishop Antje Jackelén
Distinguished panelists, Distinguished audience, Ladies and Gentlemen
We are facing a Climate Emergency that affects every aspect of life. It is a matter of survival – since more than 20 million people are displaced each year due to climate disasters. It is a matter of justice – since the richest ten percent account for over half of the emissions to the atmosphere. It is a matter of spirituality – since without faith, hope and love we will fail.
Yet, we are not yet seeing sufficient political climate actions. There is a significant disconnect between the scientific evidence documented in the IPCC reports that represent the broadest scientific consensus on the one hand, and the political willingness to act on this evidence on the other hand. In an era of post-truth, science is called into question, sometimes even on religious grounds. As a church leader, I strongly oppose this. Reason is a divine gift; knowledge is a good thing. Science is not static; it advances and corrects itself. It provides us with excellent and necessary tools to understand the world and to act well. World leaders need to rely on scientific climate facts and on that basis care for creation.
The climate emergency is a spiritual emergency. We do not own the planet; we are merely its stewards for a short time. People from all major religious traditions are called by their faith to take responsibility for creation. We pray for the decision-makers gathered here in Glasgow, that they will have the courage to make the decisions needed for our planet and all who live here, now and in the future: “Choose life so that you and your descendants may live”, as the Bible puts it.
It is urgent that we tackle guilt, anxiety and the existential questions raised by the climate emergency. Have we left our children and grandchildren to foot the bill? How can we create a just transition? How can we cultivate a hope that liberates us to repent, to mend our own ways, and to work for change in our societies and the international community? We won’t make it without making use of the tools that we have access to in our faith traditions.
The bishops of the church I represent, the Church of Sweden have developed this further in a small book that is accessible online, A Bishops’ letter about the climate. Everything that is an expression of human dignity needs to work together now: science and technology, politics, business and market forces, culture, and religion.
We are challenged to explore what teachings and practices in our faith traditions can inspire people to act and mobilise for climate justice. We are also challenged to question our own faith traditions when they legitimise inaction, fail to address harmful practices toward fellow humans and the whole creation, and preserve structures of injustice and oppression. Patriarchy has got to go.
Because gender inequalities increase the vulnerability of women and girls to the climate emergency. According to UNDP your risk to die in natural disaster is 14 times higher, if you are a women or a girl compared to a man. There is no doubt that gender justice must be at the heart of climate actions. The COP25 decision in which all parties agreed on the Enhanced Lima Work programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan must here and now be translated into clear actions and gender responsive climate finance.
We need to recognize the leadership of girls and young people when it comes to hold adults and world leaders accountable for the climate emergency and also for climate justice. This event is jointly organised by Islamic Relief Sweden and Act Church of Sweden. We trust in collaborative action for climate and gender justice.
Let us all commit to cultivating hope in action. “Hope in action” is credible hope, liberating and empowering. It is hope that does not put bureaucratic processes or prestige first. It does not put one’s own particular interests first. It puts people and their natural and social environments first. Also, it does not put human failure first; it puts human rights first. With hope in action, we will be able to counter narratives of hate and fear with narratives of love and trust. Let’s do that; it’s urgent!