Faith leaders call for historic clean energy investment and fossil fuel phase-out
National
St John’s Anglican Cathedral, along with over 150 diverse places of worship across Australia, unveiled enormous banners today with a united message to the prime minister and the opposition leader, calling for a historic investment in clean energy
St John’s Anglican Cathedral, along with over 150 diverse places of worship across Australia, unveiled enormous banners today with a united message to the prime minister and the opposition leader, calling for a historic investment in clean energy.
As part of the week of action, led by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, a video message to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton featured nine senior faith leaders outlining a list of policies.
The policies included an end to the coal and gas industry “cash splash”, an urgent fossil fuel phase-out and urgent changes to environmental laws.
The Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Jeremy Greaves, wants an end to taxpayer hand-outs to fossil fuel companies, along with significant investment in clean energy and more renewable energy jobs.
“We must stop giving public money to the coal and gas industries — they’ve got enough of their own,” Archbishop Greaves said.
“There’s a cost-of-living crisis. Why not give those billions of dollars to your new plan for creating clean energy, creating good jobs, and leaving no one behind?”
The inter-faith leaders are also calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels.
Saibai elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu, who spoke in Kalaw Kawaw Ya at the St John’s Cathedral gathering in Brisbane, called for the prime minister to demonstrate commitment to the Indigenous communities on low-lying islands that are being inundated with sea water, threatening their homes, livelihoods and cultures.
“We are asking you to show care and respect for Torres Strait Islander peoples and all our Pacific neighbours by signing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty,” Aunty Dr Elu said.
“That will really show the government is serious about phasing out fossil fuels.”
Saibai elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu, who spoke in Kalaw Kawaw Ya at the St John’s Cathedral gathering in Brisbane on Tuesday 17 September 2024, called for the prime minister to demonstrate commitment to the Indigenous communities on low-lying islands that are being inundated with sea water, threatening their homes, livelihoods and cultures
Faith communities are also calling for a safe climate to be a central objective of the country’s revised environmental laws.
Vice-President of the Islamic Council of Victoria Mohamed Mohideen OAM said that elected representatives need to honour Australia’s international commitments.
“Last year, at international climate negotiations, the world agreed to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels — Australia did the right thing and signed up,” Dr Mohideen said.
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, an alliance of national inter-faith groups, calls for emissions reduction targets of at least 75 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and of 100 per cent by 2035.
After two years of speculation, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, in June, announced that he will go to the next election promising to build seven nuclear power reactors across Australia.
In today’s video message, President of the Uniting Church in Australia and daughter of Tongan parents, Charissa Suli, addressed Mr Dutton stating that nuclear energy is a pipedream.
“Nuclear would cause dangerous delays when we’re in an urgent crisis,” The Rev’d Suli said.
“A serious roll-out would take decades, slowing down renewables and leading us to use a lot more gas in the meantime, and that would mean billions of tonnes of more climate pollution.”
Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT Mata Havea Hiliau addressed the prime minister, asking for clarity on when fossil fuel exports will cease.
“The most important part of the plan is to let the country know when you will get the job done — we need a date,” The Rev’d Hiliau said.
“We need to let the people know when you will stop exporting coal and gas.”
The Rev’d Hiliau also addressed the leader of the opposition, saying that more people are at risk of “suffering in heat waves, floods and drought”.
“People on low-lying islands — like the Pacific, my island home…are at risk of their homes being swallowed up by the rising sea water,” she said.
Assistant Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of Perth, Hans Christiansen, addressed the prime minister, calling for him to heed the warnings of experts.
“Scientists tell us we cannot afford any more coal and gas projects — anywhere,” Bishop Christiansen said.
“So, we’re calling on you to stop allowing new gas fields, especially those looking beyond 2050 — the situation is far too urgent for that.
“Gas is not the answer.”
The St John’s Anglican Cathedral “NO ONE LEFT BEHIND Good jobs in clean energy” Australian Religious Response to Climate Change banner unveiling was supported by Bishop Sarah Plowman (Anglican Church Southern Queensland), Sandra King OAM (Anglican Church Southern Queensland), Emma Beach (Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane), Aunty Dr Rose Elu (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council), Swami Atmeshananda (Vedanta Centre Brisbane), Janeth Deen OAM (Queensland Muslim community) and The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt (St John’s Anglican Cathedral).
Huge banners were also ceremonially unveiled at Cathedrals in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Newcastle as part of the week of action.
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