Location
Oakland Baha’i Center
1434 35th Ave
Oakland, CA,
Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/15/2014
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Category(ies)
Climate Change – What is Happening and What Can We Do? Devotions, Movie “Chasing Ice”, Discussion & Action Planning
Dear Friends,
CLIMATE CHANGE – What is happening, and what can we do about it?
Please join members of the Baha’i Cluster for devotions, dialogue on climate change, and training for all those interested on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 from 1-4PM at the Oakland Baha’i Center. The event will be open to all, including children’s class teachers and junior youth animators. There will also be a screening of the award-winning documentary “Chasing Ice”, a beautifully-filmed and moving story of our planet and one individual who is acting on his convictions to save it.
“In the face of the destructive impacts of climate change – exacerbated by the extremes of wealth and poverty – a need for new approaches centered on the principles of justice and equity is apparent… Climate change presents in large measure a moral challenge, requiring humanity to develop a greater sense of stewardship and responsibility for the environment, as well as a greater awareness of the interdependence and oneness of all the earth’s inhabitants.” (Excerpt from “Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenge of Climate Change,” Bahá’í International Community, 2008)
As indicated in the above quote, Bahá’ís believe that a fundamental component of resolving the climate change challenge will be the cultivation of values, attitudes and skills that give rise to just and sustainable patterns of human interaction with the environment. The engagement of children and youth will be particularly important, as this population will be called upon to exercise leadership and address the dramatic and complex challenges of climate change in the decades to come.
The event planned for February 15 will provide materials prepared by the Baha’i International Community for the Interfaith Power and Light Preach-in on Climate Change that are intended to supplement three of the “core” activities in which the worldwide Bahá’í community is engaged with others: devotional gatherings, children’s classes and junior youth groups. The purpose of these core activities is to promote the spiritual development of all involved and to channel their collective energy toward service to humanity. We hope that all who draw upon these supplemental materials will find them helpful in cultivating the values and attitudes necessary to successfully address the pressing issue of climate change.
We hope to you can make this important event!
