People of faith are leading the way for climate justice.

I’ve been reflecting on my trip to Sharm El Sheikh for the COP27 UN climate conference. I wish I had better news–but the conference was not much more than a glorified trade show. The lack of serious concern from governments was astonishing.

Instead of immediate action to solve the climate crisis, governments, and corporations are kicking the can down the road for 10 or 20 years. But while leaders delay, GreenFaith is leading the way, bringing more and more people of diverse faiths around the world into action.

That's why I'm hopeful and grateful. Just look at the amazing work we’ve done this year, together:

In Kenya, GreenFaith members are opposing the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and demanding renewable energy for all. This October, religious leaders joined 200 students from faith-based universities, flooding the streets of Machakos to condemn EACOP.

And in France, because EACOP’s biggest supporter is the French multinational TotalEnergies, we also held numerous public actions, attracting international and national media coverage.

GreenFaith organized religious leaders in the New York area to prayerfully block the entrance to the headquarters of BlackRock, one of the world's largest investors in fossil fuels. 75 religious leaders were arrested while peacefully protesting the destruction of our shared home. Our efforts went viral with a video that attracted over 60,000 views!

At COP27, I learned from Muslim women leaders that women around the world are using their unique ideas and skills to create a turning point in history. Despite their vulnerability, women–especially those in the global south–are no longer to be seen as victims of the climate crisis, but rather as active, effective agents of climate action. GreenFaith is planning a training program on Islam and Climate Justice to engage the Muslim world in climate action in 2023, centering on women’s leadership.  

I believe these many actions—and the actions of all of us to come—can and do add up to big change.

Thank you for being part of this movement. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.

With hope and gratitude,

Sister Nana Firman
GreenFaith Senior Ambassador