Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow

Scotland ( UK ): Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative

The climate conference has been going on for more than a week. At the world leaders’ summit, many announcements, speeches, and declarations have been read aloud. The good news is that India is moving ahead and will increase its solar capacity. The world leaders agreed to reduce methane emissions (much worse than Co2) and a coalition has been formed to stop further deforestation. For more info see

On the 3rd of November, a consortium of 54 leading researchers presented the “2021 Ten New Insights in Climate Science” to UNFCCC Director Patricia Espinosa. Science is clear: exceeding 1.5°C of global warming poses major challenges for humans and societies around the world, and raises the risks of crossing critical tipping points that regulate the state of the climate system,” says Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact. Here’s the full report:  10insightsclimate.science

Outside the conference, many demonstrations are going on. The overall mood is a bit somber, as everyone is aware that we are running out of time; it is extremely complex and costly to reverse the mistakes of the past.

Our BK green team has been very busy with programs, talks, an exhibition in the Green Zone, a reception, and many informal meetings. It seems the delegates are more and more open to meditation and inner transformation.

 

Tuesday 2nd November, Interfaith Gathering
World Religious and Spiritual Leaders gathered at St George’s Tron, Glasgow, to hand over the Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration for COP26, together with other declarations, to the UNFCCC Executive.  The event, Faith in Action for Climate Justice, gave a voice to those from debt-burdened countries, young climate activists, and climate justice pilgrims who had walked from several European countries to Glasgow. As the head of Christian Aid Scotland said, “We will not rest until justice is done.”  Speakers acknowledged that we are in a profound spiritual crisis and that the spirit of God is working to restore all of creation.  All were requested to reflect deeply in prayer and meditation to gain the wisdom to care for the earth and for each other.  There was a brief message on behalf of Alok Sharma, President of COP 26, where he acknowledged that faith leaders and communities play a vital role, and pledged, “We must make sure that what Paris promised, Glasgow delivers.”  It was noted that leaders are not yet ready to come to the edge and listen to those who are affected.  The closing Muslim prayer requested us to begin a process of healing to give future generations a healthier world. Sister Jayanti, BK Maureen, and BK Valeriane attended on behalf of Brahma Kumaris.

Wednesday 3rd November

The Faith-Based Organisations (FBO) meet regularly at the COP to coordinate and share expertise and strategies. The Interfaith Liaison Committee, coordinated by Valeriane and Henrik Grape from the Church of Sweden, gathers the different voices and Spiritual and religious actors working on Climate Change. On the 3rd of November, the Faith-Based Organizations did not get a room with the UNFCCC because of overbooking. Dr. Mark Lawrence from the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) gave them his Dialogue Pavilion for the meeting; it became chaotic as we tried to fit 35 people in a room for 12 max!

 COP26 Press Conference Blue Zone

Brahma Kumaris held the press conference “Resilience in Times of Climate Emergency.”

Sister Jayanti, BK Golo, and Prof. Mark Lawrence, Scientific Director, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) Potsdam, spoke on various aspects of resilience and how faith communities can contribute to Climate Action. You can Watch online

Conscious Consumption – changing food systems workshop

“Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half of the world.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

BK Maureen Goodman and BK Shantanu Mandal gave a brief introduction followed by an interactive exercise that invited participants to reflect on the process that food goes through from the moment of planting seeds, to its consumption, as well as all the people involved in food production. It helped everyone understand the depth of connectivity of our food systems. The group discussed the importance of individual awareness as one of the greatest challenges facing our food systems today. Values are necessary to move away from the commercialization of food and to increase our responsibility, gratitude, and appreciation. Sustainable yogic agriculture (the process of meditating on the seeds, the land, and the crops) reflects these values and produces a more nourishing and higher yield. It helps farmers become self-reliant, provide better quality food for their families, and improve health. The workshop closed with a beautiful meditation sending light to the earth, which everyone enjoyed.

 Reception

Wednesday evening, a reception was held at the Unitarian Church in downtown Glasgow, which was attended by an illustrious international group consisting of Franciscan padres, members of research organizations, climate activists, and BKs. Everyone gathered in the warm and cozy library of the church. After the participants introduced themselves, Sister Jayanti gave a talk followed by a nice meditation and good food. After the long Corona pause, everybody enjoyed meeting in person and we had a lively and deep exchange.

 Thursday 4th November – Exhibition

This year, all exhibitions in the blue zone were canceled and so the BK team was lucky to receive two separate days in the green zone on behalf of the World Renewal Spiritual Trust and Brahma Kumaris. The green zone is open to the public and organizations or companies can display their work or green products. BK Sonja and BK Golo set up early in the morning and decorated the stand with roll-up banners displaying India One, Yogis for Future, and Climate Change and Consciousness.

At 9.00 am the gates opened and a constant stream of visitors showed a lot of interest in solar projects and meditation. Our blessing cards, wristbands, and bookmarks were highly appreciated and it seemed that people, in general, are more open to meditation and spirituality. Later Balwant, Ruth, Maria, Roy, and Cathy joined and helped to give our message that transformation of the inside creates solutions on the outside.  Later Sr. Jayanti visited our stand and the exhibition. BK Golo was interviewed by a local television station about the connection between meditation and renewable energy.

 Co-Creation Reflection and Dialogue Space at COP26

A session on Feminine leadership in Times of Climate Emergency was hosted by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies with Sister Jayanti and Carolin Fraude.

 

Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative

With the first week of the climate conference coming to an end, the outcome so far is a bit mixed. On one side there are lots of promising announcements and statements, but often it seems they lack clear timelines and targets. For more details, read the article: COP26 week one: the impression of progress but not nearly enough

From Sunday onwards the Peoples Summit will open its gates. The summit is organized by civil society and BK will participate with five programs.

 

Friday 5th November

COP26 Side event: Raise your voice, join the conversation! ’Open Dialogues on Climate Change’ is a space for youth from all over the world to share their ideas and vision. BK Shantanu shared 3 keys:

  • awareness is necessary for climate dialogue and it is the key to action
  • contentment overcomes competition
  • communities come together and sustain their biodiversity

He offered a visualization as to how the future can look and the participants then shared three concepts with others (see image).

Watch program

BK Shantanu Mandal at Open Dialogue Space

 

Exhibition Green Zone

A Faith and Biodiversity Exhibition in the Green Zone invited faith-based organizations to share their ideas. Brahma Kumaris displayed Sustainable Yogic Agriculture, the Flourishing Futures Youth program, and our engagement at the Biodiversity Conferences.

 

 

Friends of the Earth Protest

Around 30 young people from Friends of the Earth protested in the Blue Zone highlighting the need to address the impacts of climate change in a just and transparent way. Remembering those unable to attend this COP, they questioned the governments, banks, and global polluters about their continued funding of fossil fuel projects, and not nations in need of financial support.

 

Saturday 6th November

 Global Day of Action

Saturday, a demonstration with around 100.000 participants took place. Although the weather was cold and rainy the mood was great. The demonstration was about real system change, climate justice, and action now. The march went on for several hours and ended in Glasgow Central Park. From the BK Team, Valeriane, Ruth, and Carolin participated.

 

BBC interview

The Bishop of Panama, Reverend Julio Murray Thompson, and Sister Jayanti were interviewed on the BBC Sunday Worship program. The interview was about the relevance and impact faith can have in the current negotiations and whether governments are ready to listen to faith communities. The interview has already been broadcast on BBC Sunday.  Listen here

Sister Jayanti at WWF

Saturday 6th November was World Nature Day and Sister Jayanti, Reverend Henrik Grape from the World Council of Churches, and Gopal Patel, director of Bhumi Global, were interviewed about the progress of the negotiations and the perspective of faith leaders at Nature Zone.

 

BK Golo at Inner Space

On Saturday, BK Golo gave a talk at Inner Space Center, Glasgow, “Stability in the times of climate change and uncertainty.” Golo gave a comprehensive overview of climate change and informed about the Environment initiative and renewable energy projects of the Brahma Kumaris. He then made the connection to values and ethics and how meditation helps to bring back resilience, inner strength, and hope. He concluded the program with a powerful guided meditation.

 

Impression from the Action Zone

 

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