BIC marks World Environment Day alongside UN and faith-based organizations

BIC marks World Environment Day alongside UN and faith-based organizations

The BIC co-hosted UN officials, faith leaders and civil society to celebrate World Environment Day in Nairobi, Kenya
The BIC co-hosted UN officials, faith leaders and civil society to celebrate World Environment Day in Nairobi, Kenya
NAIROBI, KENYA—27 June 2019

The Baha’i International Community Office in Addis Ababa co-hosted UN officials, faith leaders and members of civil society late last month to celebrate World Environment Day in Nairobi, Kenya.

More than 100 people attended the celebration aimed at inspiring faith-based organizations and other actors to take steps to tackle climate change and improve air quality. The theme for this year’s event centered around reducing air pollution. 

“At the heart of so many of the world’s issues is a lack of moral commitment,” remarked Dr. Solomon Belay, Representative of the Baha’i International Community in Addis Ababa, to those gathered. 

“From environmental degradation and poverty to injustice, they all stem out of the crisis that emerges from the lack of that moral compass rooted in the spiritual nature of human beings. Therefore, it is high time that at this critical juncture in history we examine the state of humanity’s spirituality in order to effect so great and far-reaching a change.”

Dr. Belay encouraged faith groups to explore the root causes of these crises and work towards a long-term solution to environmental issues and the betterment of society on all fronts. Engaging in a process of identifying how crises can be followed by victories, how challenges can become stepping stones for opportunities, is one that faith groups can embark on together, added Dr. Belay. 

A statement by the Baha’i International Community sets out a number of vital principles to consider on the environment. 

“Baha’is believe in upholding sacred values of stewardship, selflessness, moderation, and trustworthiness—vital in promoting healthy relationships with the natural world,” the statement reads.

“A commitment to spiritual principles can foster attitudes, approaches, and aspirations which can facilitate the discovery and implementation of long-lasting measures to help preserve our environment.

“We must all set aside partisan disputations and pursue united action that is informed by the best available scientific evidence and grounded in spiritual principles. Contention and disunity paralyze will and volition, and dim people’s hopes that change is possible. Religious communities can help foster hope and consensus around shared ethics and values."

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June to raise global awareness and to take positive environmental action to protect the planet.

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