Showing posts with label Environmentalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environmentalism. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 May 2018
Thursday, 17 May 2018
Friday, 17 November 2017
Humanity, Nature & Faith - Lessons from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam & Judaism
These are the five original Faith Declarations on Nature which were
created in 1986, at a meeting held in Assisi by WWF-International. The
meeting stemmed from an idea by HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh at which five leaders of the five major world religions –
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism – were invited to
come and discuss how their faiths could and should help save the natural
world.
By 1995 when the Alliance of Religions and Conservation was
formed, the five initial faiths had issued more detailed statements, and six
other significant world faiths had also made their statements about the
environment. Links to the book, Faith in Conservation, published by the
World Bank, in which all these eleven statements were published together
for the first time, can be found at the end of this document.
Acknowledgment to ARC - the Alliance of Religions and Conservation
Thursday, 17 August 2017
Taoism and Environmentalism - The Way and Nature
This article is by Denise Hruby from the journal, Sixth Tone - Fresh voices from to-day's China.
SHAANXI, Northwest China —
On a chilly winter morning, rays of sunlight warmed the wrinkled face of Ren Farong, the former president of the Chinese Taoist Association. His long white beard bobbed up and down as he spoke.
“In the past, people were pure and honest, and they protected the environment,” Ren said from his wicker chair in the courtyard of Louguantai Temple. It was here in the fourth century that Lao-tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, the text that serves as the foundation of Taoism.
Under the emerald roofs of Louguantai, monks with long hair tied into buns saunter past pine trees and firs, paying their respects to the sage and their gods in golden shrines, interrupted only by the occasional ringing of bells.
Just 70 kilometers from this tranquil enclave lies Shaanxi’s capital, Xi’an, a city of about 9 million people. There, luxury cars zip past high-end shopping malls, coal plants belch toxic fumes into the air, and factories dump waste into waterways.
and there are some beautiful pictures too.
This post is merely to help you to start
your own exploration of Taoism.
Thursday, 29 October 2015
50th anniversary of a landmark document from the Second Vatican Council on interfaith relations.
“Indifference and opposition have changed into collaboration and benevolence,” Pope Francis said. “From enemies and strangers, we’ve become friends and brothers.”
Posted by Crux: Covering all things Catholic on Wednesday, 28 October 2015
ROME — Pope Francis on Wednesday called on the world’s religions to join forces in the fight against fundamentalism and extremism, arguing instead for a focus on “positive values” such as the promotion of peace, care for the poor, and environmental protection.
The pontiff was speaking to a delegation of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists on hand for an event marking the 50th anniversary of a landmark document from the Second Vatican Council on interfaith relations.
“An attitude of suspicion or condemnation of religion has spread due to violence and terrorism,” Pope Francis told the religious leaders.
Given that, he said, it’s necessary to focus on the positive values that religions espouse.
“The world looks at us believers, exhorting us to cooperate with each other and with men and women of good will who don’t profess any religion,” he said, “asking us to provide an answer on many issues.”
Francis’ appeal came during his weekly audience as he celebrated the anniversary of Nostra Aetate (“In Our Time”), a 1,600-word declaration from Vatican II that represented a turning point in relations between the Catholic Church and other religions, particularly Judaism.For more please go here
Saturday, 17 October 2015
A change must occur deep in our souls .....
"It is clear that there will be little development of life here in the future if we do not protect and foster the living...
Posted by Spiritual Ecology on Friday, 16 October 2015
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Greening the Uniting Church
From Crosslight - magazine of the Victorian and Tasmanian Synod of the Uniting Church of Australia. An encouraging and inspiring write-up of how congregations can review the energy consumption of their churches.
When the Synod resolved to reduce energy use by 20 per cent by 2020, many congregations set about working towards ways in which they could live out the commitment to responsible stewardship of the environment.
~~~
Greening the Church
When the Synod resolved to reduce energy use by 20 per cent by 2020, many congregations set about working towards ways in which they could live out the commitment to responsible stewardship of the environment.
Whether it is investing in solar power, retrofitting buildings or simply shopping around for the best utilities provider, church groups are increasingly seeking opportunities to lower their carbon footprints.
In 2012 the small team at Glen Waverley Uniting Church started their journey of investigation.
Throughout the next two years, Warren Greenwood, Neil Leister and Ross Lennon reviewed the electrical needs of the congregation and looked at various options to reduce energy use.
They found between 60 to 70 per cent of their annual power usage was in the daytime and 80 per cent of energy usage was electricity.
After consulting a number of solar companies, Glen Waverley UC recently installed a new 30 kW solar electric system. The system will slash their annual power bill by more than half and pay for itself in seven years and will produce free, zero-carbon electricity for at least 20 years.
It was calculated the system would reduce their annual power bill from $14,000 p.a. to between $5000 and $6000. The total cost of the project was approximately $50,000.
An added benefit is that, when the community looks up at the roof of the church, they are seeing a clear – or rather a shiny black – representation of the church’s commitment to the environment.
The Queenscliff-Point Lonsdale congregations have also taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their bills.
Treasurer Lorel Larcombe was encouraged to review their energy deal after being contacted by the Synod’s new Uniting to GREEN program.
Treasurer Lorel Larcombe was encouraged to review their energy deal after being contacted by the Synod’s new Uniting to GREEN program.
“It could not have been simpler,” Ms Larcombe said.
“I told them we could get a better deal elsewhere, and they immediately offered to review our current plan. They then offered a fantastic additional 20 per cent reduction. This will mean the churches now save nearly $1,000 per year in energy bills.”
Encouraged by these savings, church members are now considering using the money they’ve saved to invest in more green initiatives.
“There is a nice synchronicity about using the savings to fund another green activity, such as solar panels. We are delighted that the serendipitous contact with Uniting to Green has opened up these options,” church secretary Richard Allen said.
Congregations interested in learning more about energy efficiency initiatives are encouraged to make contact with the National Energy Efficiency Network (NEEN).
Michael Hwang, NEEN regional leader for Victoria and Tasmania is based at the synod as another resource to assist congregations to get started on energy reduction initiatives.
Funded by the Federal Government and Department of Industry, NEEN provides information and advice on how to implement energy reduction initiatives.
Mr Hwang said that often the first steps are the most difficult.
“There is so much information out there that it can be daunting to get started,” Mr Hwang said.
“But once you get started there are significant cost savings to be made from simple behaviour changes and low cost initiatives.
“These in turn can support more significant investments like retrofitting or solar panels.”
For more details on Glen Waverley’s project please visit www.gwuc.org.au/solar or contact Warren Greenwood on 9560 3580.
Congregations interested in reviewing electricity and gas energy plans can contact the Uniting to GREEN team at UnitingtoGREEN@victas.uca.org.au or 03 9251 5916.To find out more about NEEN visit www.neen.org.au or contact Michael Hwang on 0417 342 017 or michael.hwang@neen.org.au.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Deep Ecology and Engaged Buddhism
Deep Ecology & Engaged Buddhism
“Buddha Touched the Earth….”
an exploration
workshop of Engaged Buddhism and Deep Ecology
A fundraiser for
tree ordination in Cambodia
it is
not a matter of first
getting enlightened or saved
…and then acting.
As we work to heal
the Earth, the Earth heals us.
No need to wait.
As we care enough
to take risks,
we loosen the grip of ego
and begin to come home to our true
nature.
For in the co-arising nature of things, the world itself,
if we are
bold enough to love it,
acts through us. ~Joanna Macy
Facilitated by
Anton Eastwick
Thurs, 26 September
– Sun 29 September 2013
(starting Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon)
(starting Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon)
Warburton, Upper Yarra Valley, Victoria
Lodging: shared rooms or your own tent
Cost: Sliding scale from $300 to $160 depending on your means. Includes 3 days of meals/lodging/materials
To book please click on
: http://www.trybooking.com/CZKN or http://www.trybooking.com/52325
or 0407 650026
For more, please go to:
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