A few reflections on faith and environmental action 3 Stories Tangiers Island watermen US Bahá’í community & the DESD Green Acre Interfaith Collaboration for Sustainability

Lessons Learned: ROLE OF FAITH COMMUNITIES -- Faith communities have an essential role to play in inspiring environmental action, including action on climate change. POWER OF RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS -- When a clear connection is made between religious teachings and responsible environmental action it can result in positive behaviour change.

Lessons Learned: COLLABORATION -- Climate Change is an issue of such magnitude and urgency that it requires and inspires people to work together who may not have done so before COMMUNITY BUILDING -- Working together on environmental initiatives, faith communities (and others) can find common ground, build trust and extend their sense of connection to the wider community.

Challenges ahead: SPREADING THE WORD – building public awareness – generating political will EXPANDING TOOLS AND CAPACITIES – learning to better educate for sustainability MAKING THE LINK -- Learning more effectively to link environmental choices to faith teachings BUILDING COALITIONS -- Fostering interfaith and other types of coalitions on the local, national and international levels MEASURING PROGRESS - Strengthening our ability to measure and gauge progress in applying spiritual principles to environmental challenges.