From December 1-12, 2008 the city of Poznan was host to the UN Climate Change Conference.
Among 10.500 participants were also approx. 6 Baha'i.
On this occasion the Bahá'í International Community has released a paper titled: "Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenges of Climate Change - Initial Considerations of the Bahá'í International Community".
On the Website of the Bahá'í International Community United Nations Office one can read
The statement asserts that the global community today stands at the threshold of a tremendous opportunity – “the opportunity to take the next step in the transition from a state-centered mode of interacting on the world stage to one rooted in the unity which connects us as the inhabitants of one biosphere, the citizens of one world and the members of one human civilization.” The nature of this step, its significance and some of the means for its accomplishment, at individual, community and institutional levels, are the focus of our contribution to forging a path out of the climate change challenge.
On Wednesday, December 10th 2008 the Bahá'í community of Poznan together with Bahá'ís participating in the conference organized a fireside on the topic of climate change. Firesides are informal gathers for everyone interested in homes of Bahá'ís. Short talks on Bahá'í principles are presented and discussion follows.
Based on quotations from the Bahá'í Writings we had a look at the reasons and possible solutions for climate change together with Sylvia Karlsson from Finland. One of the quotations we referred to in the meeting were:
"... every part of the universe is connected with every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit of no imbalance..." for helping to develop our understanding of humanity and the physical world as a whole.
We then had a look at a question formed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992: "Can humanity, with its entrenched patterns of conflict, self-interest, and short-sighted behavior, commit itself to enlightened cooperation and long-range planning on a global scale?"
"Every man of discernment, while walking upon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed, inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing which is the source of his prosperity, his wealth, his might, his exaltation, his advancement and power is, as ordained by God, the very earth which is trodden beneath the feet of all men. There can be no doubt that whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory."
In order to advance in our change of mind regard
There is more to climate change than CO2 and the rain forrest. It is our mindset which is the real problem with climate change and our future. It is our continued focus on material welath and the neglection of spiritual development. This is were we need to start in order to make a difference.
