Many multi-faith leaders in Australia and the Pacific have signed a letter to the Australian Government about climate justice. The letter was released ahead of the multi-faith services held around the world on Thursday 13th October.
Dear Prime Minister Albanese
We are grateful for your Government’s efforts to take the climate crisis seriously.
Yet Australia is a wealthy country that profits from exports that are causing the crisis. We hear the cries of anguish from those most vulnerable in the human family who are losing their lives, livelihoods and homes through climate-fuelled disasters.
We humbly and respectfully request that Australia:
*Stops approving new coal and gas projects
*Ends public subsidies for coal and gas projects
*Fully respects First Nations peoples’ rights to protect Country
*Re-starts contributions to the United Nations Green Climate Fund
*Assists extractive industry workers to prosper through jobs in sustainable industries
*Actively participates in creating and endorses a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The current level of warming is not safe. This moment in history calls for an urgent, courageous, visionary response, especially from those in power. Australia’s leadership in this response, as part of its First Nations Foreign Policy, is vital for the vulnerable communities and ecosystems who depend on it.
Yours faithfully,
Signed by First Nations and Australian and Pacific faith leaders
(see the full list of signatories here)
Background notes to the letter