The
Interfaith Partnership for the Environment (IPE)
was founded in late
1986 as a UNEP project to inform North American
congregations about the
serious environmental problems facing life on
Earth. It has since evolved
into a global network of faith traditions and
organizations working to
bring together the forces of religion and ecology.
Since its inception, the IPE has organized
numerous seminars and conferences, as well
as produced several books and related materials.
Among events held at UN Headquarters were
a Symposium
on Our Environmental Future: Ethical and Spiritual
Perspectives and the culminating Conference
for the Harvard Project on Religion and Ecology
.
Information
and resource materials produced by the Partnership
have included:
-- "Only One Earth", a 1990 book
filled with examples of ceremonies, rituals
and prayers designed to inspire anew our shared
responsibility to care for the soil, water
and air which sustain all life. A children's
version entitled "Our Children, Their
Earth" was also produced. (pdf file will
be available shortly)
-- "Ethics and Agenda 21", a 1993
book of essays from leading
environmental philosophers, theologians and
scientists to address the
ethical issues posed by Agenda 21, the global
plan of action for
sustainable development adopted at the 1992
Earth Summit. Copies are
available from the UNEP New York Office.
-- "Earth
and Faith: A Book of Reflection for Action",
which highlights the critical environmental
issues confronting humankind as it enters
a new millennium and UN efforts to address
them. It also presents, through the use of
primary texts of various faith traditions,
the theme of human responsibility to protect
the natural world and the urgency of increasing
the ecological awareness of religious adherents
and congregations. Scattered throughout the
book are examples of how ordinary people,
inspired by their beliefs, have made a difference
to the environment in their part of the world.
Advance copies of the book were made available
to participants at the August
2000 Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious
and Spiritual Leaders, and was formally
launched during Earth Day 2001 observances
at UN Headquarters .
