The Climate Coalition teamed up with Faith for Climate Network on Sunday, 9th June, to host an interfaith picnic at St John’s Church, Waterloo, London and reaffirm their commitments to stopping climate change.

People from all faiths and backgrounds came to the picnic to enjoy the festivities, with performances, stalls and more to entertain the climate-committed crowd. Picnic-goers also got to enjoy the Loss & Damage Photo Exhibition from Make Polluters Pay, a powerful series demonstrating the danger of climate inaction. The theme of this year’s picnic was ‘Swap Together’, so people from all communities bought their own food dishes to share with each other, helping bring them closer together.

A wide range of charities from all different faith backgrounds were present, working together at the picnic, including Islamic Relief UK, Quakers in Britain, Christian Aid, Hindu Climate Action, Buddhist Eco Dharma, and many more. 

Faith communities have been active in Great Big Green Week activities across the country and are doing much to help the climate. The picnic was therefore a great opportunity for them to come together and celebrate their work.

Suraiya Rahman, Campaigns and Public Affairs Coordinator said, “The climate crisis is truly an existential one, and is already wreaking havoc throughout the Global South, and increasingly the Global North, and soon no one on the planet will be left unaffected. This means that if we don’t all band together, minimising the damage will be almost an impossibility, we need action from people of all backgrounds and communities. It was so heartening to see St John’s Church packed with people from all different faith backgrounds, eager to take part in the struggle for the climate. The wholesome, communal atmosphere really gave me hope for the fight that’s ahead of us.”

The Rt Revd Graham Usher, the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment and Bishop of Norwich, said, “We can hear the cry of creation around us and see the impact of climate change on the world’s poorest people. Every alarm bell is telling us to wake up. It’s time to taste, touch, see, hear and smell the wonder of creation and be inspired to act together in our response to care for God’s gift of this one, precious planet we share.”

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK said: “‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples:’ (Isaiah 11)

“We share our one and only planetary home with people of all faiths and none, and with all existence. We owe it to each other, to the world’s children, to the animals, plants, the earth itself and to our God, to work for a vibrant, hope-filled, just and compassionate future for all life.”

Hanuman Dass, co-founder of GoDharmic, and a Hindu said: “In Hinduism, we see the Earth as a manifestation of the divine, deserving of our deepest reverence and care. As we face the ravages of climate change, it is our dharma to act as protectors of this sacred creation. This green week, let us embody the wisdom of nature and of our scriptures and work together to restore balance, ensuring that our actions today will safeguard the sanctity of our sacred planet generations to come.”

Rehena Harilall, Buddhists Across Traditions said: “We are on the path to destroying ourselves. We have forgotten our interconnectedness with each other and the planet. If we continue this way, our civilization will become extinct. It is not the planet that needs saving; it is our own humanity that needs to be saved as we wreck life around us. However, it is not too late to re-pair our connection to the earth and address the destruction caused by racial and social exploitation and wars driven by greed and power. The best time to start is now.”

Prof. Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, OBE, Professor of Sikh Studies, University of Birmingham and trustee, Faith for the Climate referred to Guru Granth Sahib who said: “You Yourself are the bumble bee, the flower, the fruit and the tree. You Yourself are the water, the desert, the ocean and the pool. You Yourself are the great fish, the tortoise, the Cause of causes; Your form cannot be known.”