The Bahai View On Restoring Ecological Balance
Delhi has become a gas chamber, perhaps overtaking Beijing in its high levels of air pollution. Even as ick smog threatened tojeopardise the earth of the capital's population, the aha'i community of Delhi, along with cher organisations and more than a dozen religious communities participated in the OI-Honda-DDA Green Drive, planting ousands of tree saplings at Tughlakabad nd Tippet Valley over the weekend. This is a good time to revisit the UN's ustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- of them with 169 targets coveringevery ace of our existence. Adopted by 196 ember countries in September 2015, the Dals are universal and all countries are pected to mobilise efforts to achieve nem to improve the quality of life for all. Over 150 years ago Baha'u'llah, founder the Baha'i Faith, proclaimed: "Ye are nefruits of one tree, and the leaves of one ranch." The worldwide Baha' communi ty strongly support the UN's Agenda 2030 and its SDGs not only because of the many contributions it has made inthe consultative process but more importantly due to its global educational programmes for inculcating the values of global citizenship and its overarching spiritual principle of unity in diversity The SDGs call for action by all countries, to promote prosperity while protectingthe planet. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and they address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection andjob opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. Since these goals are not tree legally binding upon governments it becomes imperative for civil society to seek recourse to moral and spiritual obligations inculcated by Dharma to get every individual and organisation to take ownership and establish suitable frameworks for achievement of the 17 goals. Baha'i writings state: "Because it is concerned with the ennobling of character and the harmonising of relationships, dharma could play a lead role in giving meaning to life. From its counsel rational soul has derived encouragement in overcoming limits imposed by the world and in fulfilling itself." Hence community initiatives like a Green Drive that encourages everyone to plant more trees, go a long way in helpingrestore good quality air, as trees are carbon sinks, besides having many other life-giving attributes. Allreligious scriptures and spiritual teachings promote living in harmony with the environment and suggest that we conserve rather than waste natural resources. Far from beingempty ideals, spiritual principles are essential foundation stones of healthy communities, and whthey are notrespected, social breakdovensues, believe the Baha'is.For, the ca of societal disruption that daily batterour world is abandonment of healthyspiritual guidance that can help one sethings in the right perspective. Otherwise tend to get carried away by prejudicandgreed, and so forget the true purpoof existence on earth. All leaders-whether political, religious or spiritual-need to promothe idealof living in harmony with thenvironment. The buzzwords need tonurture, cherish, conserve, love andtogether in peace. All countries, largesmall, must support and help international bodies like the UN to efficierachieve common goalsthat are direcutowards improving the health of humakind as well as achieve sustainable development and economic security.(The writer is secretary-general anational trustee, Lotus Temple& BalCommunity of India.)
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are AK Merchant kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : AK Merchant Speaking Tree and Times of India
The Bahai View On Restoring Ecological Balance
Delhi has become a gas chamber, perhaps overtaking Beijing in its high levels of air pollution. Even as ick smog threatened tojeopardise the earth of the capital's population, the aha'i community of Delhi, along with cher organisations and more than a dozen religious communities participated in the OI-Honda-DDA Green Drive, planting ousands of tree saplings at Tughlakabad nd Tippet Valley over the weekend. This is a good time to revisit the UN's ustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- of them with 169 targets coveringevery ace of our existence. Adopted by 196 ember countries in September 2015, the Dals are universal and all countries are pected to mobilise efforts to achieve nem to improve the quality of life for all. Over 150 years ago Baha'u'llah, founder the Baha'i Faith, proclaimed: "Ye are nefruits of one tree, and the leaves of one ranch." The worldwide Baha' communi ty strongly support the UN's Agenda 2030 and its SDGs not only because of the many contributions it has made inthe consultative process but more importantly due to its global educational programmes for inculcating the values of global citizenship and its overarching spiritual principle of unity in diversity The SDGs call for action by all countries, to promote prosperity while protectingthe planet. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and they address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection andjob opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. Since these goals are not tree legally binding upon governments it becomes imperative for civil society to seek recourse to moral and spiritual obligations inculcated by Dharma to get every individual and organisation to take ownership and establish suitable frameworks for achievement of the 17 goals. Baha'i writings state: "Because it is concerned with the ennobling of character and the harmonising of relationships, dharma could play a lead role in giving meaning to life. From its counsel rational soul has derived encouragement in overcoming limits imposed by the world and in fulfilling itself." Hence community initiatives like a Green Drive that encourages everyone to plant more trees, go a long way in helpingrestore good quality air, as trees are carbon sinks, besides having many other life-giving attributes. Allreligious scriptures and spiritual teachings promote living in harmony with the environment and suggest that we conserve rather than waste natural resources. Far from beingempty ideals, spiritual principles are essential foundation stones of healthy communities, and whthey are notrespected, social breakdovensues, believe the Baha'is.For, the ca of societal disruption that daily batterour world is abandonment of healthyspiritual guidance that can help one sethings in the right perspective. Otherwise tend to get carried away by prejudicandgreed, and so forget the true purpoof existence on earth. All leaders-whether political, religious or spiritual-need to promothe idealof living in harmony with thenvironment. The buzzwords need tonurture, cherish, conserve, love andtogether in peace. All countries, largesmall, must support and help international bodies like the UN to efficierachieve common goalsthat are direcutowards improving the health of humakind as well as achieve sustainable development and economic security.(The writer is secretary-general anational trustee, Lotus Temple& BalCommunity of India.)
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are AK Merchant kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : AK Merchant Speaking Tree and Times of India