Bringing Religion to Bear on the Climate Emergency: Insights from the UN Climate Conference COP 27

This multifaith press conference took place at the UN climate conference COP 27 on the Sinai Peninsula in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Speakers in this video are: His Excellency Metropolitan Serafim Kykotis, vice president of the Pan Africa Council of Churches; Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founding director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development; Gloria Ushigua, director of the Association of Sapara Women in Ecuador; Regina Valdez of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University; James Sternlicht, founder and CEO of Peace Department; and climate scientist Paul Beckwith. David Miron Wapner, chair of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, moderated the session.

Religious communities and religious leaders have a key role to play in addressing climate change and climate justice, which requires deep transformation within society. The knowledge of what changes are critically needed to diminish long-term harm to the planet is readily available. However, bringing about change in action demands deeper changes in attitude, a change of heart. This has been the domain of religions for millennia. Religions are sources of inspiration for the transformation of heart and the ensuing changes of attitude. In this video, religious figures share about how to bring religion to bear to promote climate action.