Climate change is at the top of the international agenda because of the threat that it represents to society and the magnitude of the response required. This page brings together resources and materials, and reports of IEF activities relevant to this topic. The IEF is continuing to prepare supporting materials for the Bahá'í International Community's Plan of Action on Climate Change launched in November 2009.

SUPPORT TO ACTION PLANS - EVENTS - RESOURCES AND PAPERS - PRESENTATIONS - USEFUL LINKS

HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? A brief explanation

Bahá'í International Community's Seven-Year Plan of Action on Climate Change (launched 3 November 2009 at Windsor Castle)  See separate report with summaries of the action plans from all the religions.
        Bahá'í World News Service story (27 October 2009): http://news.bahai.org/story/735
        Bahá'í World News Service story (4 November 2009): http://news.bahai.org/story/736

Baha'i International Community statements:
Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenge of Climate Change (2008) 
Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change: Appeal to the World's Leaders (2009)

Spiritual principles relevant to climate change - selected quotations from the Bahá'í writings

Scientific and Spiritual Dimensions of Climate Change - An Interfaith Study Course in 9 classes 
        See the United States Bahá'í Community report on the course at http://www.bahai.us/climate-change-course.

Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009 - An illustrated report on the involvement of the Baha'i International Community and the International Environment Forum in Copenhagen, as well as a paper by Arthur Dahl on Climate Ethics and the Copenhagen Summit summarizing some of the ideas presented, and reflecting on the process.

SUPPORT TO ACTION PLANS
With the major religions including the Bahá'í International Community launching action plans on climate change, the IEF offers the following supporting activities in the framework proposed by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) 
APPROACH - PROPERTIES - EDUCATION - TRADITIONS - LIFESTYLES - MEDIA - PARTNERSHIPS - CELEBRATION

THE BAHÁ'Í APPROACH

Bahá'ís believe that progress in the development field should largely depend on natural stirrings at the grass roots, and should receive its driving force from those sources, increasing the local communities' and individuals' awareness of needs and possibilities and their capacity to respond. Different communities will perceive different approaches and different solutions to similar needs. The process involves learning by doing,  sharing experience in the joint enterprise of applying more systematically the principles of the Faith to upraising the quality of human life and protecting the environment. The aim is to encourage innovation and a variety of approaches to environment appropriate to the rhythm of life in the community.

Similarly, each individual should be encouraged to apply their talents and skills, their specialized training, their material resources, their time and energy, and their dedication to spiritual principles, in action for service to human wellbeing. The aim should be unity in spirit and in action (see Universal House of Justice letter dated 20 October 1983). 

The International Environment Forum is creating and assembling materials described below to support these processes, assisting communities and individuals to respond to the challenges of climate change and sustainable environmental management.

PROPERTIES AND CENTRES

Many communities have centres, meeting places, schools and other properties. Addressing climate change requires using energy more efficiently and reducing or eliminating dependence on fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) and electricity generated with fossil fuels. There are many sources of advice on "greening" buildings. We shall try to provide some of the most useful references under this heading.

Transportation is another major consumer of fossil fuels like petrol/gasoline, diesel and kerosene. Many activities can be planned differently to encourage walking, bicycling, using public transport or car-sharing.

EDUCATION

A number of IEF members are leaders in environmental and consumer education. The IEF develops courses and educational materials, including some specifically on climate change, and makes them available on its web site (see the e-learning centre). The IEF has also developed a distance-learning course on sustainable development for the Wilmette Institute of the American Baha'i community, and will be expanding its offerings in e-learning. IEF members frequently give lectures and courses on environment and sustainability, including climate change, in Baha'i summer schools, institutes and communities. Materials useful for this purpose are available on the IEF web site. The Bahá'í International Community will be developing educational materials on the relationship of humans to the environment and climate change for its institute process in communities all around the world, including materials for adult study circles, childrens' classes and junior youth activities.

What is climate change? A brief explanation

Scientific and Spiritual Dimensions of Climate Change - An Interfaith Study Course in 9 classes 

TRADITIONS AND WISDOM

Traditions of simple living are strongly supported in the Baha'i writings, and these are already compiled on the IEF web site. Educational materials on this theme will be developed further and offered as a resource.

Crisis and adaptation: The Baha'i writings are replete with discussions of crisis and the necessary transition to a united world. This will undoubtedly take on urgency and inspire practical action as climate change becomes more evident. There are prior examples in the Baha'i community of encouraging reforestation and preparing for food emergencies. . Members of IEF also contribute Baha'i-inspired perspectives to the international debate on the response to climate change and the other interrelated challenges of a globalizing world.

Quotations and prayers: We have many prayers and writings already which can be compiled into devotional materials. Devotional gatherings are encouraged in all local Baha'i communities, and this can be an easy way to introduce environmental and life-style themes. Both the performing and visual arts can be used to reinforce these.

Stories and practices: There are many stories from the leading figures of the Faith about the love of nature, care for the creation, finding spiritual strength in the wilderness, etc. The IEF will compile these on its web site and encourage their use in educational activities.

Adaptation: Baha'i community experiences with building unity in diversity will be helpful in communities disrupted or displaced by climate impacts and population movements.

Spiritual principles relevant to climate change - selected quotations from the Bahá'í writings

LIFESTYLES

The IEF held a conference on sustainable lifestyles in 2004 and has some materials on its web site including compilations from the Baha'i writings. It plans to disseminate this information more widely through an expanded interactive web site. 

MEDIA

The IEF was established in 1997 as a Bahá'í-inspired environmental organization that maintains partnerships with many other organizations. Its members include many distinguished professionals from around the world in different environmental fields including climate change, all dedicated to applying their faith to their work and their work to faith activities. It is a virtual organization with no funds or paid staff that operates entirely through volunteers. The IEF works closely with the Bahá'í International Community, and with national Bahá'í communities on request. It also partners with other environmental organizations, international agencies, professional networks and educational institutions.  It contributes to the international dialogue on the ethical implications of climate change and the need for better governance and action at all levels. 

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Last updated 11 January 2010