{"id":11047,"date":"2021-10-13T08:57:42","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T12:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/?p=11047"},"modified":"2021-10-15T17:30:21","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T21:30:21","slug":"esr-dean-signs-appeal-in-advance-of-uns-global-climate-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/news-events\/esr-dean-signs-appeal-in-advance-of-uns-global-climate-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"ESR dean joins global faith leaders in call for bold climate action at COP26"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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ESR Dean Gretchen Castle speaks at “Faith and Science: Towards COP26” at the Vatican. (Photo courtesy of Vatican Media)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Gretchen Castle<\/a>, dean of the Earlham School of Religion<\/a>, has joined faith leaders from around the world in calling on the United Nations to take bold action to address climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the last year, Castle has represented Quakers at \u201cFaith and Science: Towards COP26,\u201d an initiative sponsored by The Holy See and the Italian and British embassies. During a culminating event earlier this month at the Vatican, Castle shared her perspectives on climate justice before signing an appeal that will be presented in November during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference<\/a>, also known as COP26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQuakers, known for our work in peace and justice, are guided by a spiritual imperative to respect all life,\u201d Castle said in her statement at the Oct. 4 event which was translated in seven languages. \u201cGod has entrusted us with the beauty and miracle of creation, and as a human family, we have fallen short of caring for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe must address our overconsumption and wasteful habits and learn to live in a collective, socially supportive world community, respectful of all life. We must address the unequal economic systems and the human impacts of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four-page appeal resulting from the Faith and Science effort calls for global leaders to act with greater ambition to address existential threats to the environment. The group also pledged to work in partnership with the UN in taking urgent, radical and responsible action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castle has been representing Quakers on a global stage throughout her career. Prior to becoming dean at ESR, she served for nine years as general secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation in the Quaker World Office in London. She has also served at the Quaker United Nations Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, and New York City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is currently the chair of the Christian World Communions Annual Meeting of the General Secretaries, the first woman and Quaker to hold the title. Her term ends in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is amazing and humbling to be a part of this Faith and Science effort,\u201d Castle said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s really valuable to Quakers across the board, because it\u2019s so important to be at the table. Quakers are interested in systems and are good at looking at the big picture. We have to do our part and keep trying to get others to do their part, too. We have an important voice. We have a lot to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COP26 takes place from Sunday, Oct. 31 to Friday, Nov. 12. ESR Professor of Theology Grace Ji-Sun Kim<\/a> is attending on Earlham\u2019s behalf. Quaker representation is also expected from the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva and the Friends World Committee for Consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery year the climate crisis feels more urgent,\u201d Castle said. \u201cWe have to do everything we can to influence countries to commit to lowering their carbon footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Media contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brian Zimmerman<\/strong>
Director of media relations
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Email: zimmebr@earlham.edu
Phone: 765.983.1256<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n