On a Faiths 4 Climate Justice Day of Action on Tuesday 17 September, over 150 diverse places of worship across Australia unveiled banners with a united message: Australia needs a significant investment in clean energy to enable an urgent transition away from fossil fuels.
The message was directed to the leaders of both the Coalition and Labor.
Huge banners were ceremonially unveiled at Cathedrals in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle, and Brisbane as part of the Day of Action. It was organised by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.
A video statement addressing the leaders of both major parties features nine senior faith leaders outlining a list of policies requested by faith communities. Investing in clean energy on an unprecedented scale is key.
The Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Jeremy Greaves wants an end to taxpayer hand-outs to fossil fuel companies. He said, “We must stop giving around $11 billion of public money annually to the coal and gas industries. They have enough of their own. There is a cost of living crisis. We’re asking the Prime Minister to put that instead into his new plan for clean sources of energy and creating good jobs. Let’s do this in a way that leaves no one behind.”
Faith communities are swinging behind environmental organisations who want a safe climate to be a central objective of the country’s revised Nature laws.
Mohamed Mohideen, Vice-President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, said, “The biggest, most urgent environmental threat we face is climate change. It is only right that our key environmental laws have protection of the climate right at their heart.”
The leaders and faith communities are also calling for an urgent phase out of fossil fuels.
Bishop Hans Christiansen from the Anglican Archdiocese of Perth said, “Scientists tell us we cannot afford any more coal and gas projects – anywhere. So we’re calling on both leaders to stop allowing new gas fields – especially those looking beyond 2050. The situation is far too urgent for that. Gas is not the answer.”
There is a special message for Liberal Leader Peter Dutton: nuclear is not the answer.
Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, said, “Nuclear would cause dangerous delays when we’re in an urgent crisis, leading us to use a lot more gas in the meantime. That would mean billions of tonnes more climate pollution.”
Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black, from the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors, said, “Faith communities are united in this – as we head into election season, it’s time for our political leaders to unite too. Protecting the climate is an issue that should be above politics. Whoever wins, the climate should be a top priority. It is a sacred responsibility for our generation towards generations to come.”
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