Campaigning Climate Justice: InterFaith Loss and Damage Day

“It is as clear as day that Loss and Damage is a social justice issue as important as the civil rights movement. Loss and Damage is marching alongside all who suffer in silence. It is my faith in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the idea that we are all one human family) that wholly influences my work” — Hanuman Dass, Go Dharmic’s Founder

Loss And Damage Day was a tremendous success! We marched for peace, held a Silent Vigil outside Fossil Fuel Corp. Shell, and Fasted in front of the Gandhi Statue in Parliament Square. 

It was a truly momentous occasion where so many faith and secular groups were brought together in pure compassionate devotion to our planet and the protection of all living beings. We were united in a loving spirit for the protection and prosperity of our planet and all persons. 

The key phrase, “Loss and Damage”, is about campaigning for those responsible for the climate chaos – negligent big businesses and short-sighted governments – to pay reparations to those countries most affected. Hence, the hashtags — #PayUpForLossAndDamage, and #FastForClimateJustice

The list of groups who joined us at the event included: 

• Global Justice Now
• Quakers for Climate Justice
• Catholic Agency for Overseas Development,
• Christian Climate Action Extinction Rebellion, •EcoDharma
• Christian aid
• Faith for the climate
• Plus many others.

We were even joined by UK MP, Caroline Lucas, who offered the profound: “What we are seeing right now is, nothing less than, a crisis of epic proportion… It is time for the rich countries to pay up for loss and damage — to step up, and pay up. We know that the World is not short of money, so don’t ever let them pretend that we cannot afford to do this. Look no further than those huge fossil fuel companies, pocketing obscene profits.”

Canon Giles Goddard, the Chair of faith for the climate, who helped arrange and manage the event said that his Christian belief was at the core of his devotion to Loss and Damage: “Justice is right at the heart of Christian faith. We always say justice is love enacted. If we’re called to love the world, then we have to love everybody in it. If we’re called to love everybody in it, then we are called to make sure the world is fair for them. Loss and Damage is right at the heart, because we’ve disproportionately contributed to it in the West, and we must address our part in it.”

In Parliament square, Rabbi Johnathan Wittenberg, the Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK, gave a speech motivated by his Jewish faith that, “there is no such thing as confession without reparation, and that is where Loss and Damage comes in with a commitment to care, to work for environmental and social justice comes in, to work for the dignity of every human being.” a sentiment that we all championed.

Day Proceedings:

10:50 — We met at St. John’s and heard wonderful speeches and prayers from:

• Canon Giles Goddard, Chair of faiths for the climate
• Shanon Shah, Director of faith for the climate
• Olivia Fuchs, Head of EcoDharma 

11:20 — We proceeded to walk down to Jubilee Gardens.

11:35 — We heard speech’s from:

• Daniel Willis, Daniel Willis  Climate Justice campaigner for Global Justice Now
• Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain

We then held a 10-minute silent vigil outside the Headquarters of Shell. 

12:00-12:40 — We walked down to Parliament Square and assembled in front of the Gandhi Statue. 

We then heard moving speeches from:

• Our own Founder and Director, Hanuman Dass
• Yusuf Baluch, Fridays for Future
• Sadie DeCoste, Tipping Point
• Caroline Lucas, MP
• Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Paul Parker, the Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, gave a powerful and haunting speech outside of Shell Headquarters, plaintively detailing the focus and importance of Loss and Damage : 

“Today we are sending our message to those who will be gathering at Sharm-el-Sheikh for COP27 in November — it is time to make progress with loss and damage.”The climate crisis is here.  Events in Pakistan, Japan and even here in the UK in the last few weeks tell us that — again, and again — record extreme heat, melting ice, floods, cyclones are ravaging our world. This is not the world we seek for ourselves, or for those who will inhabit it after us. What do we bring to this, as people of faith? We bring our conviction that there is a fair, just world to be had, in which all can flourish. We bring our certainty that it is ours to create, and our commitment to doing so. We bring our faithfulness that we can be led to a place of justice. And, we bring our collective strength, solidarity and conviction. We speak with a loud and confident voice.”

 Parker continued that “Climate justice is anti-racist work. The people most affected by the urgent and systemic crisis must be placed first in gaining this justice. If we have faith we will find many things to do but we cannot set the agenda without centering the experience and needs of people on the front line of climate change.

 That’s why today we are focusing on Loss and Damage. Loss and Damage caused by climate breakdown is a present reality for people around the world, and it is getting worse every year. For people in the global majority, extreme weather events (hurricanes, wildfires, flooding) and slow onset events (rising sea levels, desertification) are destroying lives, livelihoods and biodiversity.

 The millions of people worst affected are those who have done the least, and in many cases nothing, to cause the problem which is behind their suffering.  It is scandalous that the rich nations of the world, including the UK, have done so little to help the nations of the Global South to face up to, and to respond to the challenges we have caused.

 Our work on Loss and Damage is about placing justice and equality at the head of our climate action. Whether you consider it solidarity, compensation, or reparations, we know hundreds of billions a year are needed – and that money must come from those who caused the crisis.

 The building [Shell HQ] we have stopped outside stands here in Central London as a powerful symbol of what is wrong. As we pause here, let us take some time, in stillness and silence, to reflect.  Let us recognise, with discomfort, our own complicity in this challenge.

 Let us hold in the light the decision-makers, whose choices are not easy. Let us hold in the light those whose minds need to change, those who need to learn, to understand, to adapt, and to lead and drive change. But above all let us hold in the light those most affected by climate change. Those who have already lost, or will inevitably lose, their homes, their land, their loved ones, their livelihoods, their sense of security, their hope. Let us mourn their loss in silence together for a few minutes. And may that long silence stiffen our resolve to act.”

Loss and Damage day was a startling and moving event. Given that still so few are aware of the meaning and purpose of the phrase “Loss and Damage” our work that day was a great step forward for getting the UK, Europe, and the World aware of it as a viable and important idea. Starting more locally, due to our efforts in preparation for the day, the subject of Loss and Damage was tabled for discussion in the UK’s House of Commons. 

Loss and Damage is not an action we can take alone as individuals. It requires governments and big business to take responsibility for their actions and come forward to protect the World. If we all continue to discuss Loss and Damage, we can help bring justice to those who are suffering.

The World Is Waking Up To Loss And Damage! 

#FastForClimateJustice

#PayUp4LossAndDamage