Mirvis urges joint effort to address climate change
CHIEF RABBI Ephraim Mirvis has told an EcoSynagogue audience about the need to share responsibility for addressing climate change, a “horrifying situation which threatens our world and which threatens our grandchildren and our greatgrandchildren”.
Addressing an event at the Jewish Museum London on Sunday, Rabbi Mirvis declared that “no one is an island; no one can say this has got nothing to do with me.
“We have to bear the responsibility individually and collectively for this horrifying situation which threatens our world and which threatens our grandchildren and our greatgrandchildren. All of us together must play our part in guaranteeing that we fulfil our religious obligation to do what we can.”
EcoSynagogue co-chair Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg said that “Judaism tells us that we shall teach our children. But there won’t be Torah to teach our children if there isn’t a world in which they can live.”
Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl added that “climate change threatens to upend life as we know it.
“But we can all still make a difference — it’s not too late.”
She pointed out that the Board of Deputies recently passed a resolution, with 85 per cent in favour, of declaring a climate emergency and taking action alongside EcoSynagogue to achieve net carbon emissions. The event also featured a panel discussion with Jonathan Waxman, an entrepreneur with 35 years’ experience in electrical engineering, financial market options trading and renewable energy; and Dr Michal Nachmany, an international climate policy and governance expert.