By Joan Brown,osf
Celebrating the COP 21 agreement.
I feel very humbled to be in the COP 21 at this historic moment when the world came together for the first ever climate change agreement. Some important pieces include a 2 degree target that aspires to 1.5 or below, mechanisms and near term process dates and accountability to ramp up efforts, for the first time a section that addressed loss and damage, it sets the course toward the end of fossil fuel dependence and the way to a clean energy future, and it is a document that the world can stand behind—-though it is not perfect nor as strong as desired.
It is very significant that we have place from which to continue to work. The civil society and the vulnerable nations were very strong in the negotiations. The presence of the faith community and the importance of Laudato Si were noted numerous times and responsible for bringing a moral voice to the negotiating floor in a strong manner. The civil society and religious traditions are incredibly important as we move forward toward climate justice and equity for all on the planet, especially those who are suffering most and least responsible for carbon emissions resulting from fossil fuels.
I have been trying to think of a symbol that might describe this amazing and moving moment and yet also carry the concerns for the vulnerable communities.
Bread is a symbol of this process. Bread has fed thousands each day here at the COP as they worked. Bread feeds billions on the planet each day whether it is flat bread, tortillas, chapatas, french bread, pita or other types of bread. Bread is sacred and shared in rituals. Bread is sacred and shared around family and community tables. Even when their is not total accord in the family, bread is shared together in tears and laughter. Bread requires work and good ingredients. As a baker, sometimes my bread is amazing and sometimes is almost a failure—but we eat it, because we cannot waste bread.
Bread baker at COP.
The COP21 agreement is a sacred bread moment shared around the holy table of the Earth. The bread is not perfectly risen, it misses some ingredients and lacks some salt. While there may not be total accord around the table we sit and share and nourish one another to continue the hard and vital work ahead. We open our hearts and ears to the stories of climate crisis of the vulnerable and their needs and we seek, through our work, to share the bread of our lives through prayer infused action.
More details later. It is getting late and I fly back to Albuquerque tomorrow morning to continue the sacred work that we share together as we bake and break the bread of justice, struggle and life.
IPL Press release below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2015
Statement on the Draft Climate Agreement at COP 21
LE BOURGET —The leadership of Interfaith Power & Light made the following statement from Paris on the release of the proposed final text of the Paris Agreement at COP 21:
The world witnessed a breakthrough in Paris today, with all countries acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind requiring immediate action. The stated goal of limiting warming to no more than 1.5 degrees is a signal that the world is ready to mobilize for climate solutions and to undertake a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Civil society and faith organizations played an important role at this conference, pushing for an ambitious and equitable agreement that lifts up human responsibility to protect Creation and leaves no one behind.
IPL founder and president, the Rev. Sally Bingham stated: “This is a historic moment. For the first time in human history, 196 have nations agreed that we are in a climate crisis and we can no longer delay action. The strong presence of civil society and the moral voice of faith traditions have been essential in pushing the negotiations forward.”
From a justice perspective, the agreement’s recognition of the risk of “loss and damage” for climate vulnerable nations, and the need to address and minimize displacement related to the impacts of climate change, is an important step forward underscoring the need for developed nations like the United States to support those least responsible for causing this crisis.
The Paris COP is a moral call for a safe climate for our children and grandchildren and a critical step forward. There is much work to do to reach this goal, and U.S. faith communities will continue to advocate for stronger action from our government and financing for the most vulnerable.