We hold Paris in the Light. Even as the grief of the deaths, injuries and emotional damage perpetrated by the criminal rampages of terror in Paris on November 13 begin healing, millions of people around the globe are sending their prayers and hopes for action on climate as world leaders convene in Paris beginning November 30.
Last week here in Washington, in preparation for the global climate negotiations, Secretary of State John Kerry met with leaders from organizations that have helped pave the way for meaningful action on climate change. I was honored to attend this meeting, along with Jose Aguto, Legislative Secretary for Sustainable Energy and Environment here at FCNL, and I realized yet again how vital our work is as a Quaker lobby organization to “seek an earth restored.”
The Secretary expressed his hopes for these climate negotiations, noting the advance work that the Administration has done with China, India and other countries around the globe. In fact, 160 nations now see the need to address energy demand through sources other than carbon producing sources. The work to achieve international agreements to reduce greenhouse gases will not be finished in the span of the two weeks that world leaders are gathered, but the commitments made will be very important to demonstrate growing ambition to steadily increase emission reductions over time.
Secretary Kerry noted that the involvement and innovation of the private sector that sees the opportunity to make money from alternative fuels is driving change as is the “massive grassroots and localized efforts—these efforts are way ahead of governments.” The public social movement for climate change has been a driving force in steady support to reduce carbon use, and Secretary Kerry expressed regret, that because of the terror attacks in Paris, there will be no marches and limits on assembly for public events. He encouraged the leaders of the dozen organizations in the room to do whatever they can to demonstrate public support for action and to show solidarity in forward progress.
Another central issue in the Paris climate talks will be the need for public financial support from wealthier nations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts in developing nations. U.S. leadership is critical, and the Secretary noted that many nations have contributed $6.5 billion to the Green Climate Fund thus far. The international goal is a fund of $100 billion by 2020. The US financial pledge of $3 billion still needs approval from Congress. Some members of Congress are skeptical, and the lobbying by faith groups, emphasizing the great benefit such funds will provide to poorer nations to build resilience to climate change, will be vital to obtaining that approval.
FCNL’s persistent advocacy, along with many partners in the faith community, to engage in respectful dialogue with Republican members of Congress has created an opening for meaningful change. We have much work ahead—with Congress and around the globe—to act to reverse the unsustainable output of carbon emissions. But as Secretary Kerry said, “You have to have eternal hope with this issue.” At FCNL, we are in the business of hope—as much as we are in the business of lobbying, and we will continue to work with our network and our colleagues to move forward with hope for Paris and beyond.
