Sikhs move to save the world from disaster

200 religious leaders to meet in the UK

Sikh environmental activists Baba Sewa Singh and Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal will be part of what is billed as “The biggest civil society movement on climate change in history” at a Windsor Castle gathering on November 2.

The three-day event will bring together leaders from nine major faiths, including Baha’ism, Buddhism, Christianity, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism and Sikhism to endorse their commitment to long-term practical action to save the environment.

It also coincides with the Birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Sahib, Founder of the Sikh religion (see separate story in this section).

The leaders are expected to announce several practical initiatives, ranging from new faith-based eco-labelling standards for Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism to planting 8.5 million trees in Tanzania.

The initiatives will also include sourcing sustainable fuel for India’s Sikh Gurdwaras (which feed 30 million people every day), greening of religious buildings and introducing eco-tourism policies for pilgrimages.

The significance of the Movement will be underscored by the presence of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will deliver a keynote address at the event.

The Duke of Edinburg Prince Philip, founder of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) is hosting the Conference that precedes the Copenhagen Climate Change in December.

Organisers claimed that the forthcoming conference will signify the first major, internationally coordinated commitment by the religions to the environment.

“It aims to shape the behaviour and attitudes of the faithful for generations to come.

“As well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), several major secular bodies, including the World Bank, Conservation International, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Fairtrade, WWF, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Soil Association have extended support.

“We call this a celebration because these initiatives show that there is hope for positive developments on the environmental issues despite the gloom surrounding them,” organisers said.

UN Assistant Secretary General Olav Kjørven described the Windsor Conference as “the biggest mobilisation of people and communities that we have ever seen on this issue.”

The religious leaders attending the Celebration are decision-makers and implementers in the faiths, rather than simply the speechmakers and figureheads.

Among them would be Saudi Arabian Scholar Dr Solman Al-Ouda, the US Interfaith Power and Light Campaign President Rev Canon Sally Bingham, Bishop of London Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, Grand Mufti of Egypt Sheikh Ali Goma’a.

US Green Faith Executive Director Rev Fletcher Harper, Russian Orthodox Patriarchate Archbishop Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, China Daoist Association Vice-President Master Huang Xinyang and General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Rev Dr Samuel Kobia will also attend the Conference.

EcoSikh Convenor and Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) Chairman Dr Rajwant Singh said the forthcoming event provided a great opportunity for Sikhs to demonstrate to the world that they feel deeply for the future of Mother Earth and continuation of the compassionate stand taken by our founder, Guru Nanak.