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

Recorded at the United Nations climate conference COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, this multifaith press conference brings together religious leaders, Indigenous advocates, climate scientists, and sustainability experts to discuss the urgent need for climate action and climate justice.

Speakers include His Excellency Metropolitan Serafim Kykotis, Rabbi Yonatan Neril of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, Indigenous leader Gloria Ushigua of Ecuador’s Association of Sapara Women, Regina Valdez of Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development, James Sternlicht of Peace Department, and climate scientist Paul Beckwith. The discussion is moderated by David Miron Wapner, chair of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development.

The panel explores the vital role religious communities can play in addressing climate change by inspiring deeper transformations in human values, ethics, and behavior. While scientific understanding of the climate crisis continues to grow, the speakers emphasize that meaningful environmental change also requires a change of heart, compassion, and collective responsibility — areas where spiritual traditions and faith communities have long guided humanity.

The conversation highlights connections between spirituality, Indigenous knowledge, environmental justice, sustainability, and global cooperation while examining how religions can help mobilize communities toward ecological responsibility and long-term planetary care.

Topics include climate change, climate justice, COP27, interfaith dialogue, Indigenous leadership, environmental ethics, sustainability, spiritual ecology, faith-based climate action, and global environmental cooperation.