WCC news: Bedi Racule at COP28: “One thing that really unites us together is our faith”

Bedi Racule, is an interning ecumenical enabler for climate justice with the Pacific Conference of Churches. She took time to reflect on her experience at COP28, and how her faith is an integral part of her climate justice work. Photo: Valter Muniz/WCC 7 December 2023 “I am a daughter of Oceania and I am here representing the faith communities of the Pacific,” she said. “We have a very diverse network of communities n the Pacific with many different interests, and one thing that really unites us together is our faith and our resolve as a Pacific household to bring forth peace and prosperity in our region.” Climate justice is very personal for Racule. “I’ve been witnessing the climate change impacts that have been happening in my home,” she said. “I am grateful to be able to understand the importance of policies as a way to enact change.” She plans to return home and urge people to act.  “I am really excited to take whatever actions come out of this COP into my community,” she said. “But I really take those tools of resilience as my personal shield and weapon here: my faith, my community, and my culture.” Racule acknowledged that there are frustrating aspects to COP. “Some messages are not being captured in the way that we want,” she said. “But I thought, how great that we have the same stories on different sides of the world, and we didn’t know we can share that solidarity and work together.” She also believes that people will be convinced to work for climate justice one person at a time—and that faith in God is vital to this process.  “It’s really important to know that our Heavenly Father, God, is mindful of us—he’s looking our for us every day,” she said. “Whenever you feel like you haven’t accomplished something, he will do the rest—the spirit will convey that message. It’s beyond what you say; it’s what you make people feel and invite people to feel.” WCC special page on COP28 WCC joins global faith efforts for women's health amid climate crisis (WCC news release, 5 December 2023) Global Climate Action spotlight: Faith actors' crucial role echoes at COP28 (WCC news release, 3 December 2023) Indigenous youth advocate Julia Rensberg paves the way for climate resilience at COP28 Faith Pavilion (WCC news release, 3 December 2023) WCC general secretary: “At COP 28 we have to speak up for justice” (WCC news release 3 December 2023) At COP28, WCC general secretary hopes for “less talk and more walk” (WCC interview, 1 December 2023) Interfaith talanoa dialogue brings “ethical, moral, and spiritual voice” to COP28 (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) As COP28 begins, faith communities stand ready to push for climate justice (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) WCC executive committee statement on COP28's responsibility for climate justice "Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence" - Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28   See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland