Desmond Tutu on climate change
What urgency does Archbishop Desmond Tutu bring to the call for climate action? In this talk delivered to the World Development Movement, Archbishop Tutu addresses the climate crisis with his characteristic moral clarity, framing environmental action as inseparable from his broader lifelong commitment to justice and human dignity. He calls on individuals and communities to take meaningful action now, emphasizing the urgency of the moment and the ethical imperative to respond to climate change before its impacts deepen further. Speaking to an organization focused on global development, Archbishop Tutu connects environmental degradation to broader concerns about equity and human welfare, particularly for the world’s most vulnerable populations. His remarks reinforce a consistent theme throughout his public life: that true justice requires confronting the climate crisis with the same passion and resolve applied to other fundamental human rights struggles. http://www.wdm.org.uk/climate
Sally Bingham, “A Religious Response to Global Warming”
Is global warming fundamentally a moral issue, and if so, what role should the religious community play in addressing it? Sally Bingham, President of The Regeneration Project in San Francisco, California, argues that global warming stands as a preeminent moral issue of our time, and that the multi-faith religious community holds a critical role in confronting it. In this talk, Bingham explores how faith communities across traditions are uniquely positioned to educate, inspire, and motivate positive change on a global scale, leveraging their moral authority and community networks to move beyond individual awareness toward collective action. She frames religious engagement with climate change not as a peripheral concern, but as central to the moral mission of faith institutions, calling on religious leaders and communities to actively lead in the fight against global warming. Bingham’s remarks reinforce The Regeneration Project’s ongoing mission to mobilize faith-based environmental action.
Taking Spiritual Responsibility for the Planet with Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
What does it mean to take spiritual, not just physical, responsibility for the planet? Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee explores this profound question at the “Spiritual Ecology” event held in December 2011 at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California. In this talk, Vaughan-Lee presents a mystical framework for environmental responsibility, teaching that when humanity takes spiritual responsibility for what is happening to the world, it incarnates the Divine into both the self and the world at large. He distinguishes this approach from purely practical or physical environmentalism, emphasizing instead a deeper spiritual dimension — one in which human beings, as carriers of divine consciousness, are called to bring that light directly into creation itself. Vaughan-Lee’s teaching offers a contemplative, mystical lens on ecological responsibility, framing environmental action as an expression of spiritual embodiment rather than mere obligation. Those interested in exploring this concept further can find more information at workingwithoneness.org/spiritual-ecology.
Environment: The Dalai Lama on the Tibetan Environment
Why does the environmental health of Tibet carry significance far beyond its own borders? At an event hosted by ATC in June 2007, the Dalai Lama addresses this question, speaking on the critical importance of Tibet’s environment. He explores the unique ecological role Tibet plays — often referred to as the “roof of the world” and a vital source of freshwater for much of Asia — underscoring how the region’s environmental health directly impacts water security and climate stability across a vast portion of the continent. The Dalai Lama’s remarks reflect his longstanding advocacy for Tibetan environmental protection, framing it not merely as a regional or cultural concern, but as a matter of broader global ecological significance. This talk reinforces his consistent message linking environmental stewardship, compassion, and the specific plight of Tibet’s natural landscape.
Environmental Awareness
What foundational role does environmental awareness play in addressing the ecological crisis? In this short clip from the first session of the Mind and Life XXIII conference, “Ecology, Ethics and Interdependence,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama explores this question, emphasizing the critical importance of environmental awareness as a starting point for meaningful action. Recorded on October 17, 2011, at His Holiness’s office in Dharamsala, India, this excerpt captures a moment from a broader, significant dialogue exploring the intersection of ecology, ethics, and the Buddhist principle of interdependence. The Dalai Lama’s remarks underscore that genuine environmental awareness goes beyond surface-level knowledge, requiring a deeper understanding of humanity’s interconnectedness with the natural world. Produced by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Mind and Life Institute, this clip offers a glimpse into a rich, extended conference exploring the ethical foundations of ecological consciousness, with the full session and conference…
Sister Jayanti Kirpalani of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
What spiritual insights does the Brahma Kumaris tradition bring to international climate negotiations? Sister Jayanti Kirpalani of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University addresses this question in a conversation with Climate Change TV, recorded in Cancun, Mexico, during a significant moment of global climate discussions. In this interview, Sister Jayanti shares her perspective as a spiritual leader engaging with the climate crisis, drawing on Brahma Kumaris teachings to explore how inner transformation and spiritual consciousness relate to humanity’s environmental responsibility. Her presence at the Cancun climate talks reflects the Brahma Kumaris organization’s ongoing engagement with international climate policy discussions, offering a spiritually grounded voice within a space often dominated by political and scientific discourse. This conversation adds an important contemplative perspective to the broader coverage of climate negotiations happening in Cancun.
RAISE YOUR VOICE – Desmond Tutu
What does it take to move people from concern to action on climate change? In “Raise Your Voice,” Archbishop Desmond Tutu delivers a direct and powerful call to action, urging viewers to actively speak out and engage in the fight against climate change. Rather than framing the crisis as something to be addressed passively or left to policymakers alone, Archbishop Tutu challenges individuals to raise their voices — to advocate, demand change, and hold leaders accountable for meaningful climate action. Drawing on his lifelong legacy as a moral voice for justice, Tutu frames climate advocacy as an extension of the same courage and conviction required to confront other forms of injustice. This short but impactful message reinforces his consistent belief that real change requires collective voice and public pressure, not silence or resignation.
Michael Kagan – Interfaith Eco Forum – Jerusalem
What was the guiding purpose behind bringing diverse faith leaders together for an environmental forum in Jerusalem? Dr. Michael Kagan, advisor to the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and moderator of the panel, addresses this question directly, discussing the goals behind the Interfaith Environmental Forum held in Jerusalem in July 2011. In this talk, Dr. Kagan explains the vision and intentions driving the Forum, offering insight into how the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development approached the challenge of uniting different religious traditions around shared environmental concerns. His remarks provide valuable context for understanding the strategic and organizational thinking behind interfaith environmental initiatives, illustrating how thoughtful forum design can facilitate meaningful cross-religious dialogue on ecological issues. This talk offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on interfaith environmental organizing. Viewers interested in exploring related themes can check out a companion video on religious education in the era of climate change, check out our video…
Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger on Jewish Ecological Teachings (in Hebrew)
What do Jewish religious teachings, delivered from the highest level of rabbinic authority in Israel, say about ecology? Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger addresses this question in a special address (delivered in Hebrew) to the Interfaith Climate and Energy Conference in Jerusalem. In this talk, Rabbi Metzger, serving as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, explores Jewish teachings that relate directly to environmental responsibility, bringing significant religious authority and scholarly depth to the conference’s exploration of ecology across faith traditions. His address underscores the official Israeli rabbinate’s engagement with environmental issues, reinforcing that ecological stewardship carries weight within mainstream, institutional Jewish religious leadership — not merely within grassroots or independent Jewish environmental movements. This talk adds a formal and authoritative Jewish theological perspective to the broader interfaith conversation on climate and ecology taking place at the conference. Check out our website : https://www.interfaithsustain.com