Quaker Statement 2015 on Climate Change
Dear Friends worldwide,
The Statement below was developed by Quaker Earthcare Witness, the Quaker United Nations Office, and Friends Committee on National Legislation for their joint presence at events during the UN Climate Summit in September 2014.
QEW, QUNO and FCNL
January 2015
Facing the Challenge of Climate Change
A shared statement by Quaker groups
January 2015
As Quakers, we are called to work for the peaceable Kingdom of God on the whole Earth, in right sharing with all peoples.1 We recognize a moral duty to cherish Creation for future generations.
We call on our leaders to make the radical decisions needed to create a fair, sufficient and effective international climate change agreement.
As Quakers, we understand anthropogenic climate change (climate change due to human activities) to be a symptom of a greater challenge: how to live sustainably and justly on this Earth.
We recognize that the current rise of greenhouse gas emissions is leading to an unprecedented rate of increase in global average surface temperature of extreme detriment to the Earth’s ecosystems and species, including human beings.
We recognize that catastrophic global climate change is not inevitable if we choose to act urgently.
We recognize a personal and collective responsibility to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable peoples now, and all our future generations, do not suffer as a consequence of our actions. We see this as a call to conscience.
We recognize the connections between climate change and global economic injustice as well as unprecedented levels of consumption, and question assumptions of unlimited material growth on a planet with limited natural resources.
We recognize that most greenhouse gas emissions are created by fossil fuel combustion. We recognize that our increasing population continues to pursue fossil fuel-dependent economic growth. We recognize that the Earth holds more fossil fuel reserves than are safe to burn, and that the vast majority of fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground if we are to prevent the catastrophic consequences of climate change. We therefore question profoundly the continued investment in, and subsidizing of, fossil fuel extraction.
We seek to nurture a global human society that prioritizes the well-being of people over profit, and lives in right relationship with our Earth; a peaceful world with fulfilling employment, clean air and water, renewable energy, and healthy thriving communities and ecosystems.
As members of this beautiful human family, we seek meaningful commitments from our leaders and ourselves, to address climate change for our shared future, the Earth and all species, and the generations to come. We see this Earth as a stunning gift that supports life. It is our only home. Let us care for it together.
Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW)
Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO)
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC)
Westtown Monthly Meeting, Pennsylvania, USA
Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Princeton Friends Meeting, New Jersey, USA
Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC)
Northampton Friends Meeting, MA, USA
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, UK
Cookeville Monthly Meeting; USA
FWCC- Asia West Pacific Section
Quakers in Aotearoa New Zealand
Croton Valley Meeting, NY, USA
Netherlands Yearly Meeting,USA
Newtown Monthly Meeting, USA
New York Yearly Meeting, USA
Memphis Friends Meeting, USA
Miami Friends Meeting, USA
Quakers in Australia
EcoQuakers Ireland
Living Witness, UK
Quakers in Britain
