Baha'is to Participate in Interfaith Action Days on Global Warming

January 19, 2011 - 9:32am

February 11-13, the Baha'is of the United States will join other faith groups in a three-day campaign to raise awareness about global warming—an issue of increasing concern to people of faith due to its scientific and ethical dimensions.

Interfaith Power and Light’s annual “Preach-in” on Global Warming encourages faith groups to discuss the challenge of climate change from a spiritual perspective and to take local action to address the issue in their communities. Since there are no clergy in the Baha'i  Faith, the “Preach-In” offers Baha'is an opportunity to explore themes of environmental stewardship and climate change through regular community activities, such as neighborhood prayer gatherings, classes for children and youth, and other local events.

Many Baha'is are already actively engaged in efforts toward environmental sustainability through individual initiatives and participation in wider community efforts. For example:

• Children and youth have learned about the moral implications of environmental stewardship in neighborhood Baha'i classes

• Youth have participated in eco-camps and service projects aimed at preserving and enhancing the health and natural beauty of their communities through park clean-ups, recycling initiatives and the restoration of natural habitats

• Families have held prayer gatherings on environmental themes in their neighborhoods

• Adults have joined local global warming task forces and are serving on the state boards of at least five chapters of Interfaith Power and Light – a program that helps faith groups reduce their energy consumption and purchase clean energy to reduce their carbon footprint.

• Baha'i communities have conducted energy audits, supported community-based clean-up initiatives, and joined interfaith efforts to encourage recycling and composting, the purchase of locally grown produce and the reduction of waste at holiday celebrations and other large events.

“These acts of environmental stewardship reflect the core values of the Baha'i  Faith,” said Peter Adriance, the National Spiritual Assembly’s NGO Liaison for the Environment and Sustainability. “The Preach-In is a chance for individual Baha'is throughout the country to consciously incorporate stewardship principles into their local activities, or to expand efforts already underway.”

To encourage Baha'i participation in the “Preach-In” from February 11-13 a series of supplemental materials have been prepared, which can be immediately utilized to introduce environmental themes in three primary Baha'i activities: devotional gatherings, children’s classes and junior youth groups. To receive a direct link to download these and other campaign resources, please visit www.interfaithpowerandlight.org and register to participate in the campaign.

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Reprinted with permission from the Baha'is of the United States
(see U.S. Baha'i News)