Grace Ji-Sun Kim discusses COP21, the annual United Nations climate conference, taking place this year in Paris, in a new online video interview with EthicsDaily.com.
Kim, associate professor of theology at the Earlham School of Religion, is a member of the working group on climate change for the World Council of Churches.
She is also editor of a new book, “Making Peace with the Earth: Action and Advocacy for Climate Justice.”
Grace Ji-Sun Kim on COP21 in Paris from EthicsDaily on Vimeo.
“The focus is for the world leaders to come together to agree that they will emit lower carbon emissions,” says Kim, noting that more than 150 heads of state are attending this year’s conference despite the recent attacks in Paris.
President Barack Obama was among them, addressing the conference Monday. He noted that the United States has the world’s largest economy and is the second-largest global polluter.
“We’re hoping that there will be agreement to use renewable energy now,” Kim says.
World Council of Churches General Secretary Olav Fykse Tveit is leading the WCC delegation to Paris, where he delivered an Advent message on the eve of the conference.
Officials from the global faith community also presented more than 1.7 million signatures petitioning the U.N. to take decisive action on climate change.
“The church cannot remain silent in this issue of climate justice,” Kim says. “It’s always the most vulnerable, the poorest people in the world that are affected the most.”
“This meeting in Paris is crucial,” Kim says. “It’s getting a lot of exposure. Churches are involved, and churches are marching and writing letters.”
Watch the interview at vimeo.com/ethicsdaily/gracejisunkim
Learn more about Grace Ji-Sun Kim at gracejisunkim.wordpress.com/
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