News Items

The Forum regularly posts news articles of interest here from a variety of sources and news outlets. You can check back here or view the most recent ones from the homepage. We also archive these articles here, for those doing research, with news going back to 2006. Use the menu on the right to explore the archived articles.

News

UN environment agency sees work with faith groups, African cleric says

June 16, 2011
By Fredrick Nzwili
Ecumenical News International

Nairobi, Kenya - The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is looking forward to working with the faith communities in Africa on environmental issues, retired South African Anglican Bishop Geoffrey Davies said.

Direct action against Ganga mining mafias: Jairam

June 15, 2011
The Hindu 

On Tuesday, India signed a deal for a $1-billion loan from the World Bank to clean up the Ganga. Just a day earlier, in a tragic coincidence, a 34-year old swami died after a four month-long hunger strike, protesting the mining mafia illegally quarrying in the river.

India Aims $1 Billion at Sacred but Filthy Ganges

June 14, 2011
By Nida Najar
New York Times

NEW DELHI — Indian officials signed an agreement with the World Bank on Tuesday to use a $1 billion loan to finance the first major new effort in more than 20 years to cleanse the revered Ganges, one of the world’s dirtiest rivers.

Eco-friendly mosque planned for Germany

Norderstedt’s Muslim community to build a £2m mosque with wind turbines in its minarets

By Siobhan Dowling
Guardian
June 13, 2011

A small Muslim community in northern Germany is pioneering renewable...

Thriving in a Post-Consumerist Society

June 12, 2011
By Duane Elgin
Huffington Post

What does a thriving way of life look like in a post consumerist society? Many aspects of a thriving future can be found by stepping into a contemporary co-housing community or eco-village.

Pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere can help limit the damage wrought by global warming

June 10, 2011
By Thomas E. Lovejoy 
New York Times

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are pushing 400 parts per million (p.p.m.) — up from the natural pre-industrial level of 280 p.p.m. Emissions for last year were the highest ever. Rather than drift along until a calamity galvanizes the world, and especially the United States, into precipitous action, the time to act is...

Pan African Interfaith Meeting Calls for Climate Justice and Sustainable Peace in Africa

June 9, 2011
United Nations Environment Programme

Nairobi - More than 130 faith leaders, including traditional leaders, mainly from Africa but also from Northern Europe and Asia gathered in Nairobi this week to reflect on the position of faith groups towards the environment and humanity, with a particular emphasis on climate change and its effects on Africa.

Cambodian monks help protect rare turtles

New conservation project launched to help save rare giant soft-shell turtle from extinction.

June 8, 2011
AFP

KRATIE, Cambodia - Cambodian monks and environmentalists launched a new conservation project on Wednesday to help save one of the world’s rarest and largest freshwater turtles from extinction.

A centre for the endangered Cantor’s giant soft-...

Br. David Andrews: The morality of fracking

June 9, 2011
By Rich Heffern
National Catholic Reporter

Holy Cross Br. David Andrews is a senior representative at Food and Water Watch, a consumer group based in Washington. He is former director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

Human illness, environmental contamination, serious animal illnesses, a danger to our food system: these are some of...

Simplicity Is Not Sacrifice!

June 7, 2011
By Duane Elgin
Huffington Post

There is a common misconception that living more simply requires a life of sacrifice. In fact, it is just the opposite: When we live more lightly on the material side of life, we create the conditions for greater satisfaction and meaning on the non-material side of life. Lifestyles emphasizing consumerism are the ones that require...

More news...