Special Biodiversity Day Edition

Greetings from FEN, the Faith Ecology Network, an Australian hub for strengthening an interfaith dialogue between science and religion.

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May 22nd, International Day of Biodiversity

May 22nd is the International Day of Biodiversity.
Since 2020, FEN has had a focus on the wonder of biodiversity.

"Building a shared future for all life" is the slogan of this year's International Day, chosen in order to continue building momentum and support for the post 2020 global biodiversity framework at the postponed #COP15's UN Biodiversity Conference to be held later this year.

They go on to say, "Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better."

They ask us to, "Let the world know that you wish for a strong global biodiversity framework that will “bend the curve” on biodiversity loss. Let the world know that you care about your future!"

In the context of biodiversity collapse, the current work on a post 2020 global biodiversity framework, and the call of our First Nations to heal Country, the FEN Steering Team has led events and prepared resources to listen and learn from knowledge holders and practitioners who help protect species and life systems. This is so that we people of diverse faith traditions and none will grow in our awareness and practice.
At this special time, we invite you to look at and use some of these excellent resources:

Ten Ways Faith Groups Care for Biodiversity
Restoring Biodiversity: Faiths Acting Locally
Biodiversity Emergency: Faiths Regenerating

FEN is run totally by volunteers. We seek your support with raising funds for a part-time Co-ordinator who will assist with growing our network, and help develop our new visual Ten Ways to Care into an educational kit for you to use.

Please use this link for your donation. We appreciate any support you can give.
www.trybooking.com/au/donate/faithecologynetwork
Thank You.

Anne Lanyon, Faith Ecology Network Co-ordinator

Ten Ways Faith Groups Care For Biodiversity

1. Listen to and Learn Wisdom from the Elders
2. Grow in your sense of Place
3. Learn from the ecological Sciences
4. Collaborate with and learn from local groups
5. Become eco-citizens
6. Bring nature into worship/gatherings
7. Develop and use green calendars
8. Be an active voice
9. Grow in the wonder of nature
10. Share successes
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/fen123/pages/1173/attachments/original/1646903341/10_Ways_faith_groups_care_for_biodiversity_2022.pdf?1646903341

Restoring Biodiversity, Faiths Acting Locally

This event featured experienced ecologists, First Nations people, Buddhists, Quakers, Hindus, Catholics, Baha'i, Brahma Kumaris, Anglicans and Muslims inspiring us with their actions. www.faithecology.net.au/ten_ways_event1

Biodiversity Emergency:
Faiths Regenerating, Wonder and the Will to Care

For too long, we humans have been exploiting and destroying our planet’s ecosystems. We have become disconnected from the natural world.

In 1992 1,700 scientists warned that human beings and the natural world were “on a collision course”. Biodiversity loss is now at an emergency level.

Australia’s Life Support Systems are on Life Support was how ecologist Professor Lesley Hughes titled her presentation at this World Environment Day webinar held by the Affinity Intercultural Foundation in collaboration with FEN. She gave us a punchy overview of a February 2021 report on Ecosystem Collapse from the Tropics to Antarctica in which she was one of 38 scientific authors.
This was followed by religious reflections by two FEN members.

This webinar is useful to share with your faith community.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nINkF5TWK0

We invite you to share this message for International Day of Biodiversity.

Strengthening an interfaith dialogue between science and religion in the interests of advancing ecological consciousness and care for the Earth

The Faith Ecology network aims:

To share mutual appreciation of religious traditions regarding ecological insights
To discern and foster religious reasons for advocacy

Through the network we share the experience of religious and cultural diversity which enhances the depths of one’s own religious tradition. We grow in understanding of the connections between faith and ecology. We build up networks within and between faith traditions and environmentalists.

We would love your support to employ a P/T facilitator to help grow FEN.