Leadership (Abuja)
Abiodun Oluwarotimi
5 November 2009
New York — The world's religions have a crucial role to play in the global fight against climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has declared, characterizing the battle with global warming as a "moral" issue.
With the climate change conference in Copenhagen where nations are expected to wrap up talks on an ambitious new agreement just over one month away, "it is a pivotal moment for our world." Mr. Ban said at a gathering of secular and religious leaders at Windsor Castle in London. 'Green' growth can enhance efforts to tackle global poverty and improve food, water and energy security, he stressed.
"We can lay a foundation for peace and security for generations to come," the Secretary-General said at the event, hosted by Prince Philip. "We can define a more sustainable relationship with our planet."
Because the issue of climate change is inter-generational and moral, "this is why the voices, the deeds and the teachings of the world's faith groups are so vitally important," he emphasized.
He said that any deal reached in Copenhagen must be "comprehensive, equitable and ambitious, urging faith communities to help communicate the message that action must be taken urgently.
The UN Chief also said that the potential impact of faith communities were "enormous" because they have the ability to set an example for the lifestyles of billions of people and reach millions of young people through education. "You can and do inspire people to change," the Secretary-General said.
He pressed further that the religious leaders' practical commitments could encourage political leaders to act more courageously in protecting people and the planet.
While in London, Mr. Ban also met with United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with whom he discussed climate change.
"We are going through a crucially important period for the whole of humanity," he said in a statement sent to UN Correspondents in New York through a news letter after his meeting with the UK leader.
Ban however showed his happiness that European Union (EU) leaders, at their meeting last week, recognized the importance of providing technical and financial support for climate change.
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