Faith

Dozens of faith leaders from across the globe gathered in New York City on Tuesday to discuss how to engage their constituents in the climate change debate. All acknowledged that religious groups are in a powerful, influential position to push forward climate action in their communities. "Our political leaders are failing," said Ajarn Sulak Sivarksa, one of the founders of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists. "What sane people would see all of these signs, but not act? We must demonstrate how the world must be." The meeting, which took place in a conference room across the street from the United Nations, was part of the two-day Interfaith Summit on Climate Change hosted by the World Council of Churches and Religions for Peace. It included 30-plus leaders from the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Taoist, and Indigenous communities, among others. Scattered among the crowd were also dozens of parishioners, religious scholars, and reporters.