HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? A brief explanation

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

Climate Change and Its Ethical Challenges by Arthur Dahl, The Bahá'í World 2005-2006, An International Record

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

Les dimensions scientifiques et spirituelles du changement climatique
A French Interfaith Study Course in 5 classes - Un cours interreligieux en français en 5 modules

Las dimensiones científicas y espirituales del cambio climatico (pdf)
A Spanish Interfaith Study Course in 5 classes - Una clase entrereligiosa en español en 5 modulos

BIC/IEF Contributions to Talanoa Dialogue at the Bonn Climate Conference in May and December 2018, as well as written input.

IEF Events at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), Paris, December 2015
Complete report with video links on the IEF activities at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) at Le Bourget in Paris, France, on 30 November-11 December 2015.

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.

The Climate Change Debate: a Bahá'í Perspective
Excerpts from a letter of the Universal House of Justice, 29 November 2017, with advice on how to avoid divisive or politicized debates while acting on the science.

To Address Climate Change, Ensure Coherence Between Principle and Action, Daniel Perell, Baha'i International Community, 20 September 2019

Baha'i International Community, 2015. Shared Vision, Shared Volition: Choosing Our Global Future Together
Vision commune, volonté commune : Ensemble choisissons le futur de notre monde [français]
Statement to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), Paris, 2015

Baha'i International Community, 2009. Bahá'í International Community's 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

This action plan commits the Bahá'í community to develop a course to explore the relationship of humans to the environment as articulated in the Bahá'í Sacred Writings as part of the institute process, in order to raise the consciousness of the worldwide Bahá'í community on the subject of climate change and to engage them in acts of service related to environmental sustainability. Materials on climate change will also be added to programmes for children and junior youth. This will be an important step in integrating the spiritual and the practical in a community already committed to the betterment of the planet.

Bahá'í International Community, 2009. Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change: Appeal to the World's Leaders.

Baha'i International Community, 2008. Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenge of Climate Change.

International Environment Forum statements on climate change:

Governance, Science and the Climate Crisis, International Environment Forum, January 2020, calling for strengthened scientific inputs to global decision-making

IEF Position on Climate Change clarifying our support for the science of climate change and avoidance of divisive debate

Motivating the transition at the grassroots
International Environment Forum Contribution to the Talanoa Dialogue, March 2018
https://unfccc.int/documents/65320 or
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/10_IEF_Contribution_Tal…

The evolving nature of the global response to climate change: Implications for faith-based communities, 2015

Statements by other faith communities on climate change

Islamic Declaration on Climate Change

Catholic: Pope Francis: Laudato Si'
IEF Summary and Commentary on Laudato Si'

Hindu Declarations on Climate Change

The latest on climate change IPCC Sixth Assessment, Synthesis Report Headline Statements, 20 March 2023

Floods and droughts are intensifying Nature Water, 13 March 2023

Risks from sea level rise UN Security Council debate, 14 February 2023

World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency 2022 26 October 2022

Risk of passing multiple climate tipping points International Science Council, 9 September 2022

Climate Tipping Points Warning United in Science, Multi-agency climate science report, 13 September 2022

Climate Change 2022, Mitigation of Climate Change - Summary for Policymakers IPCC 4 April 2022

Climate Change 2022, Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II, 27 February 2022

World Scientist's Warning of a Climate Emergency Summary and commentary by Arthur Dahl, 22 August 2021

Where is climate change taking us? The highlights of the IPCC Sixth Assessment, Working Group I report on the Physical Science Base, 9 August 2021

Climate Change Accelerating, World Meteorological Organization, 10 March 2020

UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2019, 28 November 2019

IPCC report on oceans and cryosphere 2019 and Headline statements, 25 September 2019

IPCC Climate Change and Land 8 August 2019

Global Warming of 1.5 °C - The IPCC Special Report, 8 October 2018

Working to save islands and coral reefs from climate change, describing the work of IEF member Austin Bowden-Kerby to address the problems of small islands and coral reefs, March 2021

The story of Rahima and Kalam: Climate change and the coastal peoples of Bangladesh, by IEF Member Zobayer Raihan, May 2020

Is it easy to combat climate change under war conditions in Yemen? blog by Nashwan Ahmed, 2 March 2020

Greta Thunberg at Davos Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, 22 January 2020

Australia is burning, coral reefs are dying. What next? Blog by Arthur Dahl, January 2020

Governance, Science and the Climate Crisis, International Environment Forum, January 2020

Key outcomes of COP25 climate talks

The Crucial Role of Educators in Combating the Climate Crisis, by IEF Member Rafael Amaral Shayani PhD, Professor of Electrical Engineering at University of Brasilia, Brazil

From the front lines of climate impact, report by Carol Curtis, Majuro, Marshall Islands, 6 December 2019

The Climate Crisis and Global Governance by Arthur Dahl, 1 December 2019

Look to the ocean for climate change solutions by Erna Solberg and Tommy Remengesau Jr.

Climate change: Impacts 'accelerating' as leaders gather for UN talks by Matt McGrath, Environment correspondent - BBC, September 2019

Greta Thunberg at the UN Climate Action Summit, New York, 23 September 2019

Impacts of Climate Change on Global Fisheries by IEF Member Elizabeth L Mclean, Ph.D., 16 September 2019

UN High Level Political Forum 2019, Education, Peace and Climate Change, New York, 25 July 2019

Restoring Forests for Climate Change, summary by Arthur Dahl, 23 July 2019

Unsustainable Agriculture, by Arthur Dahl, 22 July 2019

How can we keep global warming to 1.5°C?, summary by Arthur Dahl, 24 December 2018

Bahá'í International Community events at COP27 in Egypt, November 2022

Realizing Ambition through Ethical, Intergenerational and Multisectoral Responses to Climate Crises (video 1:24:18 hours) Bahá'í International Community co-sponsored event at UN Climate Change COP27 in Egypt. Making the leap from science to policy requires centering human values over short-term gains. Featuring diverse stakeholders, this event addresses root causes of climate crises and highlights collaborative actions based on ethics, values and integrity that result in innovative and durable solutions. Speakers: Prof. Dr. Azza Karam, H.E. Mr. Bakoa Kaltongga, Mr. Daniel Perell, H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa,; H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Bishop Julio Murray Thompson, Ms. Amal Sarah, Ms. Aouf Saida, Dharma Master Ms. De Yuan, Ms. Bani Dugal (9 November 2022).

Wilmette Institute Videos on Climate Change

Intergenerational Climate Collaborative Project, 26 April 2020 IEF member Sue Blythe facilitated this intergenerational, interfaith climate conversation with panelists Matteen Kashef, Savannah Roemhild, and Farhang Darabi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW2KzoQHGiI&feature=youtu.be

Climate Change, Coronavirus, and One World; The Choice is Clear, 2 May 2020 with IEF members Gary Reusche and Daniel Truran, in collaboration with ebbf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY4xiW-X_eg&feature=youtu.be

Climate Change Conversations with IEF member Christine Muller

Baha'i Perspectives on Global Risks 30 March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czaqd8DqgoA&feature=youtu.be

Why Climate Change Matters – The Impacts of Climate Change, 5 May 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UfaInVfHuE&feature=youtu.be

Why is the Earth Warming and What Can We Do about It? - The Causes and “Solutions” of Climate Change, 12 May 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLcm4ccgYk-YDSAZdUkOo9WBa_7L8beh3Y&t…

How Can Spiritual Principles Save the Climate? June 9, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaNvadHvKqY

Hope in the Face of Dire Scientific Projections, June 16, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C59bSvdPDzo&feature=youtu.be

BIC/IEF Contributions to Talanoa Dialogue 2018

The Fijian presidency of COP23 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change launched the Talanoa Dialogue, named for a Fijian tradition of trust building through story telling, to prepare governments for increasing ambition in their greenhouse gas reductions before COP24. The International Environment Forum submitted a first written contribution in March 2018: https://iefworld.org/Talanoa1. Face-to-face dialogues were then organized at the Bonn Climate Change Conference on 6 May 2018, with 30 state party representatives and 5 representatives of other stakeholders. Each participant was given 3 minutes to tell a story, and could then take part in the following discussion. The stories were intended to be positive and encouraging, inspiring others to increase their ambition. Two IEF members participated in these dialogues (see IEF report on Talanoa).

IEF Events at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), Paris, December 2015

The IEF had an active presence at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) at Le Bourget in Paris, France, on 30 November-11 December 2015. The International Environment Forum organizing three events in the Climate Generations area for civil society, and co-sponsoring a side event at the intergovernmental conference. The Baha'is partnered in a side event on ethics at the intergovernmental conference, with an IEF member participating.

Ethical Responses to Climate Change: Individual, Community, Institutions
IEF 15th Annual Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 10-11 December 2011

The 15th International Environment Forum (IEF) Conference in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with nearly a hundred participants in person and others following live streaming over the Internet, took a deeper look at the ethics and science needed to cope with adverse climate change, and explored creative responses that individuals, communities and institutions can make to preserve our planet. Experts and scholars presented their views on climate change science and strategies to address this global challenge, and participated in interactive workshops to investigate the science and practical responses to climate change, learning what each one can do now to make a difference. The conference was hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and the Baha'i community of Tasmania in the beautiful and environmentally-sustainable Bahá'í Centre of Learning for Tasmania in Hobart, and invitations were sent to the Bahá'í communities of Australia and New Zealand. A full report of the conference with video recordings of main sessions, presentations, summaries is on the IEF web site.

Climate change and human rights

The IEF participated in the 2010 Social Forum of the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, 4-6 October 2010, on the subject of climate change and human rights. The Social Forum is organized each year to facilitate a dialogue with civil society on an important issue for human rights. The IEF presented its reflections on the human rights challenges of persons permanently displaced by climate change, and the need to prepare receiving communities to respond positively to such immigrants, building unity in diversity while respecting human rights and helping migrants to maintain their cultures, social ties and values (see paper). A separate report on the forum is on the IEF web site.

Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, Denmark, 7-18 December 2009 was a major event in the complex process of governmental response to the challenges of climate change. See 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.

The Windsor Celebration of the Faith Commitments for a Living Planet

On 2-4 November 2009, representatives of nine major faiths gathered at Windsor, United Kingdom, to celebrate their long-term action plans for climate change and the environment (see separate report). The event was organized by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh received them at Windsor Castle, together with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and both presented the Bahá'í International Community (BIC) with certificates of appreciation from the United Nations and from ARC for its action plan. The BIC was represented by Tahirih Naylor and Arthur Lyon Dahl (also President of IEF). The web site of the celebration is http://www.windsor2009.org/index.htm. Bahá'í World News Service stories 27 October 2009: http://news.bahai.org/story/735 and 4 November 2009: http://news.bahai.org/story/736. The United States Bahá'í Community web site reported on the event in an article at http://www.bahai.us/climate-change-course. The Canadian Bahá'í News Service included a report in its article at http://www.bahainews.ca/en/091123-climate.For further documentation, download ARC's compilation of the Windsor Commitments [1mb] and the BIC action plan [40kb].

Multiple Dimensions of Climate Change

The 2008 Bahá'í Conference on Social and Economic Development held a session on the Multiple Dimensions of Climate Change, Orlando, Florida, 20 December 2008.

At this 2008 international conference on the theme of sustainable development, the whole Saturday morning was devoted to climate change and its multiple dimensions, chaired by IEF board member Peter Adriance, and including IEF members Arthur Dahl, Halldor Thorgeirsson and Duncan Hanks, and Bahá'í International Community representative Tahireh Naylor-Thimm. Quick links to the presentations and mp3 audio recordings for downloading are given below.

(quick links and mp3 audio recordings)

Arthur Dahl: The Science of Climate Change
quick link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9415165/Arthur-OrlandoClimate08
(mp3 audio recording 15 mb)
(powerpoint presentation 15 mb)

Halldor Thorgeirsson: International Climate Negotiations – an Overview
quick link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9415151/Thorgeirsson-Panel-Presentation
(mp3 audio recording 8.5 mb)

Tahirih Naylor, Bahá'í International Community: The Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change
quick link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9415174/Tahirih-Climate-Change-Presentation
(mp3 audio recording 16 mb)

Duncan Hanks: Learning to Integrate Action on Climate Change with the Activities of the Five Year Plan: A story from Canada
quick link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9415168/Hanks-Cdn-Envir-Actions-Dec18
(mp3 audio recording 14 mb)

Response to Climate Change from the Bahá'í Community

The IEF reported on its climate change activities to the International Climate Change Science Congress Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Opportunities in Copenhagen, 10-12 March 2009. The congress requested summary outputs of other scientific meetings in order to assemble the latest scientific findings as background for the intergovernmental conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December 2009. The presentation "The Response to Climate Change from the Baha'i Community" was prepared by Arthur Dahl. For pictures, see the news page.

The ethical dimensions of climate change

Commission on Sustainable Development side event, United Nations Building, New York, 30 April 2007.

IEF co-sponsored an official side event at the fifteenth UN Commission on Sustainable Development on Monday 30 April 2007 on "The Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change" organized by the Bahá'í International Community with the Permanent Missions of Tuvalu and of the Marshall Islands, and co-sponsored by the UN Office of High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing States and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS); the UNEP Interfaith Partnership for the Environment; Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State University; International Environment Forum; and the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development. The event, held in the UN Building on the first day of CSD-15, filled the room with over 90 people, including the Minister and other delegation members from Tuvalu. There were presentations by H.E. Mr. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the UN, Mr. Om Pradhan of the UN-OHRLLS, Mr. Tony Barnston of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia University; Mr. Don Brown of the Collaborate Program on the Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change, Rock Ethics Institute; Dr. Arthur Dahl of IEF; and Rabbi Lawrence Troster, Fellowship Programme Director of GreenFaith. The event was covered in full page articles in the two CSD newsletters, Outreach Issues for Tuesday, May 1, page 6 (download pdf from http://www.anped.org/index.php?part=112) and ENB on the side ( http://www.iisd.ca/csd/csd15/enbots/pdf/enbots0511e.pdf) and video recordings of all the speakers were posted on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=martha04032). Information is also available on the BIC web site (http://www.bic.org) and the IISD site has more pictures and captions ( http://www.iisd.ca/csd/csd15/enbots/30apr2007.html). A White Paper on the Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change prepared by the Rock Ethics Institute ( http://rockethics.psu.edu/gr/cc_whitepaper/whitepaper-intro.shtml) was distributed at the event. There was also coverage on the Bahá'í World News Service (http://news.bahai.org/story/530), and an article appeared in One Country ( http://www.onecountry.org/e191/e19104as_CSD_story.html).

Responding to climate change: scientific realities, spiritual imperatives

IEF 11th Conference, Ottawa, Canada, 12-14 October 2007.

Faced with the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its impacts on global society, the conference allowed 120 professionals concerned with the environment and sustainable development, students and the public to explore the human response to global environmental change, including the likely physical, emotional, mental, social and economic stresses on individuals and communities. Specifically, the conference explored moral capacities and better governance mechanisms that help people to build sustainable and resilient communities, and that draw on the experience of pluralist societies like Canada that have welcomed immigrants and 'environmental refugees' from all corners of the globe. Questions of lifestyle, choice and the very nature of 'community' were examined.

The conference was co-organized by the Baha'i Community of Canada, and video clips of the main presentations were immediately posted on the web for those following the conference from a distance. One result of the conference was a letter from the Canadian national Baha'i administrative body to all local communities calling attention to the pressing global challenge of climate change and asking them to demonstrate ever-increasing sensitivity to environmental issues in the design and implementation of community activities. A further letter was sent in July 2009 along with suggestions for greening community activities. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada has also designated specific advisers on the environment, sustainable development and climate change.

Science, faith and global warming: arising to the challenge

IEF 10th Conference, Oxford University, 15-17 September 2006.

The world is struggling to come to grips with the problem of climate change driven by human consumption of fossil fuels and deforestation. Bahá'í communities around the world are engaged in collective learning processes on how to serve their societies better. The conference sought the meeting points between these two processes through exploring:

• the latest scientific knowledge on climate change and its impacts on human well-being;
• the wisdom from the world's Faiths, including the Bahá'í writings, on the value systems needed to face these challenges; and
• the practical steps individuals and communities can take to reduce their burden on the future.

A full report with audio recordings and presentations is available on the IEF web site.

AUSTRALIA: The national Bahá'í administrative body of Australia supported the 15th IEF Annual Conference in Hobart, Tasmania, on 10-11 December 2011 on "Ethical Responses to Climate Change: Individual, Community, Institutions". It wrote to all the Bahá'í communities in Australia to encourage them to participate in the conference, as did the Bahá'í community of New Zealand. A Bahá'í film crew from New Zealand came to the conference to make a film for New Zealand television. See the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU-BWKO8_00&feature=channel.

CANADA: The Bahá'í Community of Canada collaborated with IEF in the organization of its 11th Conference in Ottawa on 12-14 October 2007 on the theme "Responding to Climate Change: Scientific Realities, Spiritual Imperatives." One result was a letter in March 2008 from the Canadian national Bahá'í administrative body to all local communities calling attention to the pressing global challenge of climate change and asking them to demonstrate ever-increasing sensitivity to environmental issues in the design and implementation of community activities. A further letter was sent in July 2009 along with suggestions for greening community activities, and another letter in October 2009 drawing attention to the Bahá'ís joining a global plan for "generational change" on climate change. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada has also designated specific advisers on the environment, sustainable development and climate change. The Canadian Baha'i community has also participated in events on climate change as a moral issue, including a two-day meeting in mid-April 2010 (see http://www.bahainews.ca/en/100525-climatechange). In October 2011, the Bahá’í Community of Canada joined dozens of other faith communities and leaders in calling for new approaches to address the challenge of climate change (see full press release).

UNITED STATES: The national Bahá'í administrative body of the United States wrote a letter (also available as pdf) to all the American Bahá'í community on 25 February 2010 informing them of the Bahá'í International Community Seven Year Plan of Action on Climate Change and encouraging them to study and reflect on the Bahá'í teachings on the environment and to incorporate greater awareness of the environment in their community life and core activities. They included the IEF web site among the resources available. A second message was sent in 2011. In March 2012, a third message on climate change was sent to raise awareness of the moral dimensions of this issue and to call for specific actions during Earth Week (22-29 April 2012). In January 2013, they again wrote to the American Baha'i community about the action plan on climate change, and encouraged continued learning and reflection on the problem through the Wilmette Institute's seven week course on climate change (based on the IEF course) and the National Preach-ins on Global Warming sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light in February each year, where relevant Baha'i materials are available. On 12 March 2021, they renewed their call in a letter on the American Bahá'í Community and Needs of the Natural World with an accompanying compilation of quotations on The Bahá'í Faith, Environment and Sustainable Development.

Official Web Site of the Bahá'ís of the United States (2010). Why act on climate change now?

Bloomquist, Karen L. (ed.), 2009. God, Creation and Climate Change: Spiritual and Ethical Perspectives. Lutheran World Federation, LWF Studies, July 2009. Lutheran University Press, Minneapolis. 176 p.

Arthur Dahl, 2007. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS ETHICAL CHALLENGES, The Baha'i World 2005-2006, An International Record, p. 157-172. Republished online at https://bahaiworld.bahai.org/library/close-climate-change-and-its-ethic….

Arthur Dahl, 2006. CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENTIFIC AND FAITH PERSPECTIVES, [full paper] [instructions for audio file] [audio file 5.2mb, missing first 20 minutes] [powerpoint file 6.3mb] [pdf file of powerpoint 3.2mb]

Arthur Dahl, 2007. ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, (also pdf file of presentation 800kb and video recording)

Arthur Dahl, 2008. SCIENCE AND RELIGION IN THE CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE: CASE STUDY OF THE BAHA'I COMMUNITY

Arthur Dahl, 2009. THE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE FROM THE BAHA'I COMMUNITY, Presentation at the International Scientific Congress on Climate Change, Copenhagen, March 2009.

Arthur Dahl, 2009. HUMAN SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE: THE ETHICAL CHALLENGE. Paper for the Balkans presented at the 5th ECPD International Conference, Brioni Islands, Croatia, October 2009.

Arthur Dahl, 2010. CLIMATE ETHICS AND THE COPENHAGEN SUMMIT . A summary of some presentations at the NGO activities during the conference, and reflections on the outcomes.

Arthur Dahl, 2010. THE CONSTRAINTS OF UNEP AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THE VICTIMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. Paper for a seminar in preparation for the UN Human Rights Council Social Forum on Climate Change and Human Rights.

Ethical Challenges of Climate Change
(A. Dahl, presented at the 11th IEF Conference, Ottawa, Canada, 12 October 2007, 2.5 mb)

Energie et changement climatique
Les défis conjoints du changement climatique et de la pénurie d'énergie
(A. Dahl, 2009, 17.3 mb, in French)

Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change
(A. Dahl, presented in the Baha'i International Community panel at Klimaforum09, Copenhagen, 12 December 2009, 3.1 mb)

UN Climate Change Conference 2015: http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en
Web site created by the French Government to encourage debate on the issues to be discussed at COP21 in Paris, France, 30 November-11 December 2015

The Lima Call for Climate Action
The main results from the COP20 Climate Change Conference in December 2014, preparing for the big conference in Paris in 2015.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: http://www.ipcc.ch/
The IPCC was created by UNEP and WMO to provide regular updates on the consensus science of climate change agreed by the scientific community and governments, as the basis for international policy and action. Its Fifth Assessment Report was completed in November 2015. See the IEF review at http://iefworld.org/node/705
Climate Change 2014 - Summary for Policymakers
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf

Our Common Future Under Climate Change - International Scientific Conference 2015 and International Scientific Congress on Climate Change 2009
The 2015 Conference was held at UNESCO in Paris on 7-10 July 2015. The 2009 Congress was organized by the University of Copenhagen and the International Alliance of Research Universities in Copenhagen on 1-12 March 2009 to assemble the latest science as an input to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December 2009. Two IEF members made presentations at the congress, and its conclusions are available on its web site.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change http://unfccc.int/
Official web site of the Convention Secretariat

World Resources Institute (WRI) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank. 2011. World Resources 2010–2011: Decision Making in a Changing Climate—Adaptation Challenges and Choices. Washington, DC: WRI. http://www.wri.org/our-work/project/world-resources-report/world-resour…

Spiritual Responses to Climate Change. Video on YouTube prepared by the American Baha'i Community, with IEF members Elizabeth Bowen and Arthur Dahl, 2014.

UN/ARC: The Seven Year Plans for generational change on climate change and the natural environment. Alliance of Religions and Conservation http://www.arcworld.org/projects.asp?projectId=597
This project led by ARC with UNDP committed the major religions to long-term plans for action on climate change and the natural environment, launched at an event at Windsor Castle (UK) on 2-4 November 2009 prior to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December 2009. The Baha'i International Community contributed its action plan, and the IEF prepared supporting information and activities to assist individuals and communities to implement climate change activities.

Some general links to climate change information, and some educational materials for school use, can be accessed through http://www.insurancecompared.com.au/articles/climate-change.cfm.

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 well-being. The aim should be unity in spirit and in action (see Universal House of Justice letter dated 20 October 1983).

The International Environment Forum has 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 which can be found on the Internet and through many organizations.

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 distance-learning course on sustainable development and on climate change for the Wilmette Institute of the American Baha'i community. 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 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.

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.

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.

MEDIA

Subject matter: The IEF web site has been developed as a resource for the Bahá'í community and others, with compilations, conference reports, papers and educational materials including much on climate change, and this will continue to be developed. The IEF contributes through its activities to the international dialogue on climate change in both its scientific and spiritual dimensions.

The IEF has assisted national Baha'i communities to raise awareness of climate change and the environment through its conferences and other events. After a conference on responding to climate change in 2007 in Ottawa, Canada, the Canadian Baha'i community wrote to all its local communities and groups asking them to take climate change into account in their activities. Similar conferences have been held in the United States and in Australia. An article on climate change in The Baha'i World, official record of the Baha'i International Community, was based on an IEF conference presentation. The BIC newsletter One Country often features environmental events and topics. The children's magazine Brilliant Star regularly publishes special issues on the environment, with one on climate change published in 2009. Some national Baha'i web sites have sections on environment or sustainability. The IEF makes available materials to encourage this type of development.

Influence: The power of new ideas born from the integration of scientific and spiritual perspectives can have an influence well beyond the limited means available. Sharing these ideas in various forums and media is an important part of IEF activity. Baha'i communities in South America have used their local radio stations which broadcast in local languages to pass on environmental ideas and information on a weekly basis.

Guides: The IEF web site already has some materials on living more simply and environmentally.

Materials: national communities and publishing trusts should consider more environmentally-friendly publishing practices, like using recycled paper. Some national communities offer electronic newsletters to replace paper ones on a voluntary basis.

PARTNERSHIPS

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.

CELEBRATION

Festivals: a number of Baha'i Holy Days would be appropriate for environmental activities like tree or garden planting or clean-ups: Naw-Ruz (21 March, first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere); Ayyam-i-Ha (25-February-1 March, days of hospitality and gift giving); Birth of the Bab (22 October), Birth of Baha'u'llah (22 October), Fall for tree planting and harvest in the northern hemisphere, Spring in the southern hemisphere. The Baha'i fast could be a time for contemplation of our relationship with nature, detachment from material things, and simpler lifestyles.

Paris 2015 - Conférence de l'ONU sur le Changement climatique: http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/fr
Le site officiel du gouvernement français pour la conférence à Paris en décembre 2015

GIEC - Groupe d’experts intergouvernemental sur l’évolution du climat
Le Groupe d’experts intergouvernemental sur l’évolution du climat (GIEC) a été créé en 1988 en vue de fournir des évaluations détaillées de l’état des connaissances scientifiques, techniques et socio-économiques sur les changements climatiques, leurs causes, leurs répercussions potentielles et les stratégies de parade
http://www.ipcc.ch/home_languages_main_french.shtml

GEIC: Le cinquième Rapport d’évaluation 2014:
WG1 Les éléments scientifiques - Résumé à l'intention des décideurs
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1/WG1AR5_SummaryVolume_F…
WG2 Conséquences, Adaptation, et Vulnérabilité - Résumé à l'intention des décideurs
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg2/ar5_wgII_spm_fr.pdf
WG3 Atténuation du Changement Climatique - Résumé à l'intention des décideurs
[en anglais seulement] http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg3/ipcc_wg3_ar5_summary-f…
Rapport de synthèse [en anglais seulement]
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf

ONU: Agir sur les changements climatiques
http://www.un.org/fr/climatechange/science.shtml

Information présentée d'une façon briève:
http://www.climatechallenge.be/fr/des-infos-en-mots-et-en-images/le-cha…
aussi avec des videos en français
http://www.climatechallenge.be/fr/voir-toutes-les-videos.aspx

Le PNUE à quelques informations sur le changement climatique
http://www.unep.org/french/climatechange/

Introduction briève:
http://www.changement-climatique.fr/

La science du changement climatique
http://www.notre-planete.info/terre/climatologie_meteo/changement-clima…

Comprendre le réchauffement climatique en 4 minutes
http://www.lemonde.fr/planete/video/2014/09/23/comprendre-le-rechauffem…