Sikh religious leaders representing thousands of gurdwaras, or temples around India and the world met the other day in New Delhi to discuss the greening of their houses of worship and schooling. The Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are advising these Sikh leaders on how to lower their carbon footprint and protect the natural environment.
As a result, the leaders, among whom both the apex body Shiromani Gurdawara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) and the powerful Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) were fundamental to the agreement, adopted at the conference a five-year greening plan, which includes a long-term commitment to transform their temples into ecologically sound buildings in terms of energy use, the types of building materials used and their means of transportation.
The leaders will also incorporate environmental education into Sikh education curricula. Already, the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, co-organiser of the conference, has created an organisation, EcoSikh to disseminate ‘green knowledge’ throughout communities.
“Throughout history religions have helped people and civilisations interpret and understand events around them and to respond to new challenges in light of their spiritual heritage and moral compass,” said Olav Kjorven, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s director of Development Policy. “Now, when we’re facing the challenge of securing a liveable planet for our children and safeguarding creation as we know it, the leadership of religions is indispensable."
At the end of their 300-year cycle dedicated to protecting the vulnerable, there are 24 million Sikhs around the world. Among other activities, they provide food to 30 million people a day through free kitchens in their temples. The new 300-year cycle (starting from 1999) is committed to protecting Nature.
As a result, the leaders, among whom both the apex body Shiromani Gurdawara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) and the powerful Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) were fundamental to the agreement, adopted at the conference a five-year greening plan, which includes a long-term commitment to transform their temples into ecologically sound buildings in terms of energy use, the types of building materials used and their means of transportation.
The leaders will also incorporate environmental education into Sikh education curricula. Already, the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, co-organiser of the conference, has created an organisation, EcoSikh to disseminate ‘green knowledge’ throughout communities.
“Throughout history religions have helped people and civilisations interpret and understand events around them and to respond to new challenges in light of their spiritual heritage and moral compass,” said Olav Kjorven, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s director of Development Policy. “Now, when we’re facing the challenge of securing a liveable planet for our children and safeguarding creation as we know it, the leadership of religions is indispensable."
At the end of their 300-year cycle dedicated to protecting the vulnerable, there are 24 million Sikhs around the world. Among other activities, they provide food to 30 million people a day through free kitchens in their temples. The new 300-year cycle (starting from 1999) is committed to protecting Nature.
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