MORAL RESPONSES TO A PLANET IN PERIL
Saturday, November 14, 3:30 p.m. (via Zoom).
This ‘Reading & Discussion’ discuss will be led by Phil Volk and Richard Tucker with two readings on moral responses to a planet in peril.
Reading #1: Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s words on earthcare as a “moral challenge” excerpted from Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril
“We are called to understand that climate change is a moral challenge, not simply an economic or technological problem. We are called to honor our duties of justice, to prevent the enormities of climate change, as the price of the lifestyles of the privileged is paid by millions of poor people, in the loss of their livelihoods and their lives. We are called to honor our duties of compassion, to prevent the suffering of millions of innocent people, especially the hungry children…”
Reading #2: words of Kallan Benson, a 15-year-old, third-generation Quaker and member of Annapolis (Md.) Meeting, in her speech to the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth Award ceremony as reported in Friends Journal.
“We do not want to sacrifice our education. We do not want to sacrifice our childhoods. You have left us no choice. Our future is already being sacrificed by your inaction. We will not put down our signs and go back to school until you act to stop fossil fuel emissions. Giving up is not an option.”
Source:
- Moore, Kathleen D. and Michael P. Nelson, eds. (2001). Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril. San Antonio: Trinity University Press
- Benson, Kallan (2019). Speech to the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth Award ceremony as reported in Friends Journal (https://www.friendsjournal.org/giving-up-childhood-to-avert-climate-catastrophe). Video of Benson’s speech is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqiFsoJARHI.
Zoom connection information for this event is URL: https://zoom.us/j/99445532926 | Meeting ID: 994 4553 2926.
Please see the Meeting’s Reading and Discussion page for more information about the context, practice, and goals of ‘Reading and Discussion’.
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