BIC Releases Natural World Statement at Milestone Environmental Conference

BIC Releases Natural World Statement at Milestone Environmental Conference

The new BIC statement on the natural world suggests that the gulf between intention and action is one of the central challenges facing humanity today.
The new BIC statement on the natural world suggests that the gulf between intention and action is one of the central challenges facing humanity today.
Stockholm—1 June 2022

The coordinated contributions of numerous populations around the world will be required to rebalance humanity’s relationship with the natural world, according to a major statement released by the Baha’i International Community (BIC) today. 

The statement, titled One Planet, One Habitation: A Bahaʼi Perspective on Recasting Humanity’s Relationship With the Natural World, was released on the occasion of Stockholm+50, a notable environmental conference taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, this week. 

The statement was launched at an event the BIC co-hosted at the Swedish Parliament with a number of other civil society organizations, including the Climate Governance Commission and Global Women Leaders: Voices for Change and Inclusion. The event was moderated by Swedish Members of Parliament Anders Österberg and Mattias Vepsä.

Titled “Global Environmental Governance: Ethical Foundations & Practical Proposals in an Age of Interdependence,”  the event explored elements required for global environmental governance to meet the needs of both present and future generations. 

“Concepts of human environment, sustainability, and the triple planetary crisis are part of an evolving discourse,” said Daniel Perell, a Representative of the BIC who spoke at the event. “As understanding deepens, we must continually refine our methods and approaches.”

Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the United Nations General Assembly, noted in opening remarks the need to align systems of global governance with widely recognized ethical values. 

“A new pact for the future requires a values-based multilateral system,” Ms. Espinosa said. “This is not an abstract statement. It means to transition from greed to solidarity and the redistribution of wealth and power, from prejudice to empathy and kindness, from indifference and hate to radical love for humankind and nature.” 

Other speakers at the event included Augusto Lopez-Claros, Executive Director of the Global Governance Forum; Maja Groff, Convenor of the Climate Governance Commission; and Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, Board Member of the International Environment Forum.

Stockholm+50 commemorates the groundbreaking 1972 United Nations conference on the environment, held in the same city. Over the course of two days, it will gather diplomats, activists and scientists from around the world to deliberate on ways to address planetary challenges in areas such as climate, nature, pollution, and biodiversity loss.  

Joining Mr. Perell on the delegation to the conference was Peter Aburi, who represents the BIC at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, and Nogol Rahbin, from the Baha’i Community of Sweden. 

Arthur Dahl, who represented the BIC at the 1972 conference and later served in senior leaderships of UNEP and the International Environment Forum, was also at the conference. Following the statement launch, Mr. Dahl was featured at a roundtable event, hosted by noted Swedish journalist Erik Halkjaer, Editor-in-chief of Sveriges Natur Magazine and President of Reporters Without Borders Sweden.

One Planet, One Habitation joins contributions the BIC made to other notable environmental milestones, such as the 21st meeting of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties, from which the 2015 Paris Agreement emerged (statement), the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development or “Earth Summit” (statement), and the original 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (statement).