On November 29, the eve of the Paris Climate Talks, our prayers will join those of other citizens of the world in support of the actions of our world leaders to preserve the environment and our shared home. We’re running out of time. Now is the time for action.

The Davis community is invited to an Interfaith Prayer Vigil in support of the Paris Climate Talks on Sunday, November 29 at 5:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation (1701 Russell Boulevard) in Davis. It will be an opportunity to stop, reflect and meditate on what is happening in Paris, and to call ourselves to vigilance on this issue (hence “vigil”). We will be honest with ourselves, but remain hopeful about the future. There will be space and time for silence, reflection and prayer with words by Councilman Robb Davis, author Kim Stanley Robinson and songs and prayers to honor this earth.  A reception together follows.

All are welcome. The vigil is sponsored by Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice, Cool Davis, and The Lutheran Church of the Incarnation.

Pastor Dan of the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation almost abandoned the effort to hold this vigil when at first few others stepped up to help, but he persisted. “I think we should still press on. This is too important,” he said.

He’s right. Pope Francis proclaimed in a blunt email, “Be out on the streets on November 29.”  Just Wednesday as the Pope arrived in Kenya, he said that the world is facing a “grave environmental crisis” and spoke of the intersection between social justice and the protection of nature.  “We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received,” he said.

The Parliament of World Religions sent the email that prompted this event, “Love Alert to Protect the Only Earth we Have. Participate in a Day of Prayer for Earth.” It’s so little to ask, that we take an hour from our busy lives to slow down and think about our actions on this earth and on behalf of this earth.

We recognize our responsibility as people of action and reflection

Carol Warren missed our planning meeting November 21 while she attended the Climate March in Oakland, but she emailed us her prayer contribution:

RESPONSE: We give thanks for the earth and her creatures.

We acknowledge our complicity in the causes of climate change
We recognize our responsibility as people of action and reflection
We humbly pray for the success of the upcoming climate negotiations

RESPONSE: We join hands in a spirit of humility.

To refresh and clean the air
To purify the waters for our children
To safeguard plants and woodlands

RESPONSE: We join hands in a spirit of determination.

As advocates for peace and justice
As builders of a planetary community
As protectors of the beauty of each place

RESPONSE: We join hands in a spirit of hope.

The rest of her penetrating prayer is incorporated into the Prayer Vigil.

For this 21st UN Climate Conference, there is some hope that the 40,000 delegates from 190 countries will reach a global climate agreement on curbing carbon emissions. Most countries have already made a carbon reduction pledge, enough collectively to keep us at 3 degrees Celsius increase. This is an encouraging start. However, scientists agree that to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, such as more severe drought, floods, and storms, we have to get on track to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.

Most countries have already made a carbon reduction pledge, enough collectively to keep us at 3 degrees Celsius increase.

Less certain is whether wealthier countries will offer financial support for vulnerable countries and communities struggling to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening with just 1 degree of Celsius gain. These countries did little to cause global warming but are suffering the most.

Less certain is whether wealthier countries will offer financial support for vulnerable countries and communities struggling to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening with just 1 degree of Celsius gain.

As we seek justice in the climate movement for humanity and all living beings, we hope that the collective interfaith movement and the public will join in harmony to give our global leaders the courage to act boldly and justly in Paris, and to honor and protect our earth home.

The Climate talks are happening on a scale too big to comprehend. Nearly every nation in the world is engaged. Here in Davis, we are more inclined to think in terms of changing ourselves, the only place a real revolution can begin. One person at a time, our personal changes to our household energy efficiency, our transportation choices, and our consumption habits add up until we reach a tipping point, not to disaster, but to living sustainably and more gently on this good earth.

…changing ourselves, the only place a real revolution can begin

Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us of our real task in just a few deft lines:

There’s a revolution
that needs to happen
and it starts from inside
each one of us.
We need to wake up
and fall in love
with the earth.
Our personal and collective
happiness and survival
depends on it.

The stakes are high in Paris and in Davis. The Prayer Vigil is a good place to commit to your personal transformation and pray for a strong global agreement.

By Lynne Nittler, member of Cool Davis and leader of Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice.

Information at interfaith@cooldavis.org