The COVID health crisis, the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis are three interconnected crises calling us to change direction towards a regenerative civilization with an integral ecological pattern of life. The 2020 United Nations Global Biodiversity Report notes the importance of biodiversity in addressing climate change, long-term food security and concludes that action to protect biodiversity is essential to prevent future pandemics. We, leaders of universities, scientific research and ecclesial bodies sense that we are at an inflection point, with life altering consequences and a responsibility to act. It is time to amplify Pope Francis’ teachings in Laudato Si’ to create life giving relationships with creation and inspire thousands of people to do the same with the output of our roundtable, public webinar, education and advocacy to regenerate healthy ecosystems on Earth. When biodiversity flourishes, human life flourishes. Using a 5P formula: Purpose(s), Principles, Provocations, Practices, Proposals, we will work collaboratively to transmit Laudato Si’ applied to biodiversity among church, scientific and decision-makers.
This event is organized to share wisdom, understandings, experiences, examples and insights from one another and from the disciplines of knowledge including Indigenous, Science, Sacred Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching (Laudato Si’) on biodiversity that will educate, advocate and inspire biodiversity protection and restoration at the COP15 and COP26 meetings. It also invites the church community globally to generate dialogue about biodiversity so that we find new pathways forward for the church and the human family to heal and restore relationships with Creation. (Pillar 4 - Rebalancing social systems with nature in the wake of Covid19). For example, new proposals for integral human development.
Keynote speakers will be Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & U.N. Messenger of Peace.
The event will be recorded for later viewing.