The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (AIES), the Swedish Theological Institute, and the Tantur Ecumenical Institute organized the Interfaith Climate Change and Renewable Energy Conference in Jerusalem in May 2018.
The conference engaged faith communities to mitigate human caused climate change and promote renewable energy use. Religious leaders spoke about religious imperatives for promoting environmentally sustainable practices and the use of renewable energy. Presentations by scientists described the current impacts and imminent dangers of climate change to the region.
The Conference included
- Plenary of climate and environmental scientists focused on the current and potential impact of climate change on the Middle East
- Interfaith panel of religious figures on the religious basis for renewable energy
- Breakout Sessions for discussions in smaller groups
- Outdoor ecological walking tour of the olive orchards of Tantur, overlooking Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Delegates Feedback from the Conference
| “I wanted to write and say how wonderful the conference was: Yonatan did a wonderful job and Jared spoke beautifully. Phillipa, the entire event felt smooth and organized. The speakers were fantastic – and I was grateful for the opportunity to ask a question.” | |
| “I want to thank you for the brilliant summit that allowed cross-faith – insights and gave interesting suggestion for future projects and processes. “ | |
| “I would like to congratulate both of you for the great conference. It was very nice to see the enthusiasm and support in the participants eyes” | |
| “The whole day was well organized I found the topic personally enriching as I am also interested in the issue of ecology in general. I was impressed about your interest and the information you have regarding this topic. You are so familiar with what is happening in the Catholic church at large and what is happening in the Muslim world. Great! That is true Inter-Faith spirit! Congrats again for the wonderful day we had at Tantur because of your planning.” | |
| “Thanks a lot for yesterday’s activities and interactions, enlightenment on our common challenges and the possible ways forwards. “ |
Conference Program and Schedule
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
9:00 AM | Registration & Refreshments |
| 9:30 AM | Introduction by representatives of the sponsoring organizations |
| 9:45 AM | Plenary Session One: Climate change and the Middle East — A Scientific Perspective Leading scientists Dr. Alon Tal (Chair, Department of Public Policy, Tel Aviv University), Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed (Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies), and Dr. Pinchas Alpert (Professor of Geosciences, Tel Aviv University). Moderated by Robin Twite (Arava Institute). They will present scientific evidence on climate change in a way that is accessible to the general. Have recent conflicts in the Middle East been partially triggered by climate change? |
| 11:00 AM | Break & Refreshments |
| 11:20 AM | Plenary Session Two: The Religious Basis for Renewable Energy Use A panel featuring Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious figures. Panelists will be His Excellency Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Apostolic Administrator of Jerusalem and senior Catholic religious leader in the Holy Land), Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair (Senior Rabbinic Scholar, Hazon), and Yasmin Barhum (Facilitator at Living in the Levant). Moderated by Rabbi Yonatan Neril (Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development). |
| 12:30 PM | Vegetarian Lunch (with vegetarian kosher lunch available) |
| 1:30 PM | Breakout Workshops 1: a. How can science and religion work together to combat climate change? b. What avenues do faith communities and individuals have to promote renewable energy use? c. Women and climate change d. Religious seminaries—how to increase the emphasis on teaching of faith and ecology when training emerging clergy? |
| 2:40 PM | Break & Refreshments |
| 3:10 PM | Plenary Session 3: Presentation by leaders in renewable energy development on regional initiatives. Panelists to include Tahahni Abu Daqqa (Former Minister of Culture, Palestinian Authority, and Founder of Palestinian Solar Energy Association), Josef Abramowitz (CEO of Gigawatt Global), Fadi Bkirat (Founder and President of RackTech) and Dr. Giulia Giordano (International Affairs Manager, EcoPeace Middle East). Moderated by Dr. Gershon Baskin, (Vice President for Special Projects, Gigawatt Global). |
| 4:10 PM | Ecological Walking Tour of Tantur, with views of Jerusalem and Bethlehem |
| 4:45 PM | Breakout Workshops 2: Structured discussion focused on taking practical action. |
| 5:30 PM | Closing Plenary Session Facilitators of breakout sessions will present a summary of the outcomes, and the discussions, and share this with the participants. |
| 6:00 PM | End of Conference |
Conference Partners
The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development works to catalyze a transition to a sustainable human society through the active leadership of faith communities. Its work focuses on several projects. The Interfaith Eco Seminary Engagement Project promotes courses for seminarians on faith and the environment. Second, the Faith Inspired Renewable Energy Project spurs renewable energy projects in faith communities in Africa. Third, the Women’s Faith and Ecology Project engages women of faith in Jerusalem in seminars focused on religion, coexistence, and environmental stewardship. ICSD has also co-organized seven interfaith environmental conferences in Israel and internationally.
Contact: Phillipa Friedland, ICSD deputy director: pfriedland@interfaithsustain.com, 058-405-3010
The Tantur Ecumenical Institute is a centre of learning, community and hospitality on a hill in Jerusalem, near Bethlehem. Tantur is home to researchers exploring questions of ecumenical and interfaith import, and offers a variety of continuing education and sabbatical programs for those seeking to encounter this complex land we call “holy.” Each program includes a variety of lectures and excursions designed to introduce participants to its geography, history, diverse religious life, and local faith communities.
Contact: Raanan Mallek, Events Coordinator: rmallek@nd.edu
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a leading environmental studies and research program in the Middle East. Accredited through Ben-Gurion University, AIES houses academic programs, research centers, and international cooperation initiatives focusing on a range of environmental concerns and challenges. With a student body comprised of Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis, and students from around the world, AIES offers students an exceptional opportunity to learn from leading professionals while forming friendships and developing skills that enable them to lead the region and the world in solving today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Contact: Robin Twite, Arava Institute Environmental Ambassador, robin.twite@gmail.com, +972-52-227-2476
The Swedish Theological Institute is the Church of Sweden’s study and dialogue institute in Jerusalem. It is a place for studies and meetings for peoples of different faiths and traditions. STI is a meeting place for people in Jerusalem as well as for temporary visitors, from different parts of the world, who are involved in matters concerning religion, culture and dialogue. STI seeks to further a deeper understanding of the religious traditions in Jerusalem: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. STI in Jerusalem was founded in 1951.
