UNITED STATES, November 23, 2015 (Press Release): Over 60 Hindu leaders and organisations have signed the Hindu Declaration on Climate Change issued today, calling for action from the world’s 900 million Hindus and the 196 governments meeting in Paris from November 30 to December 11 at the 21st Conference of Contracting Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21).
The Declaration is an initiative of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies/Bhumi Project, in partnership with the Hindu American Foundation the interfaith environmental organisation GreenFaith and the interfaith campaign for climate action OurVoices. Signatories from India, EU and North America include the renowned scientist and activist Vandana Shiva, and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. “We are at a historic moment in time, as Hindus worldwide experience first-hand the effects of climate change. Through their religious beliefs, they are recognizing their individual and collective responsibilities to address it.” said Gopal Patel, Director of the Bhumi Project.
The Declaration asks the world’s 900 million Hindus to transition to using clean energy, adopt a plant-based diet, and lead lives in harmony with the natural world. International and national action must be scientifically credible and historically fair, based on deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through a rapid transition away from polluting technologies, especially away from fossil fuels. Renewable energies are also the best hope for the billions of people without electricity or clean cooking facilities to live better lives and reduce poverty.