As global leaders are heading to Glasgow this week for the crucial UN Conference on Climate Change, COP26, not only faith communities and other civil society groups, even a dinosaur is seen to be talking about the climate change challenges now.

As part of UNDP’s ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign, a film showcases how a dinosaur takes to the UN General Assembly iconic podium, exhorting world leaders and diplomats saying: Don’t choose extinction.

The Dinosaur addresses the delegates, “Listen up people. I know a thing or two about extinction. Going extinct is a bad thing. And driving yourselves extinct is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard”.

“You’ve got a huge opportunity right now, as you rebuild your economies and bounce back from this pandemic.”

“This is humanity’s big chance. So, don’t choose extinction. It’s time for you humans to stop making excuses and start making changes”.

In last week’s virtual event “Climate Crisis: Faith in the Environment”, jointly organized by United Nations Association-Luton, Luton Council of Faiths, Grassroots & Near Neighbours, nearly a dozen speakers from different faith & belief backgrounds shared the importance of actively preserving the creation and living in harmony with the environment.

Quoting a UNDP research figure of an astounding USD 423 billion spent globally every year to subsidise fossil fuels, UNA Luton Chair Dr Nazia Khanum,OBE, DL said, “This could cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for every person in the world, or pay for three times the annual amount needed to eradicate global extreme poverty.”

Professor Zafar Khan Chair Luton Council of Faiths said, “Climate Change is much bigger than any of us, but the importance of our actions cannot be under-estimated. Faith communities have much to contribute. We all have the opportunity to make a fresh start. Humanity’s future depends on the decisions which will be taken by the world governments at and after COP26”.

Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, C of E St Albans Diocese Bishop for Luton said, “Climate change is not just lifestyle issue – it is life and death issue. Therefore, our hope must come from the realization that creation is God’s gift, secondly it is about repentance – saying sorry and to do things differently, thirdly to make a real commitment to our global neighbours who have done the least to cause climate change but are affected most and worst by it.”

As a facilitator and event co-organiser David Jonathan, working with Grassroots, Luton Council of Faiths & Near Neighbours Programme in Luton, said, “We are earthlings – made up of earth stuff. We are microcosms of the earth. We are part of the eco-system. We cannot survive without it.” Reviewing too-much-emphasis on technology, he said, “Technology cannot save us, but nature has the potential of healing our planet if we give it a chance.”

All very thoughtful and inspirational presentations from different faiths had one common message to proclaim that as co-creators, we are all called to be in harmony with nature. Let us give it a chance to reincarnate a greener world.

The recording of this event can be viewed at https://www.una-luton.uk/climate-crisis OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RLlql3dg-A

Also you may be interested in reading this blog article - https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/religionglobalsociety/2021/10/cop26-and-care-for-creation-the-role-of-faith-communities-in-the-un-climate-discussions/