ENI-10-0604 / By Anto Akkara

Bangalore, India, 31 August (ENI)--Churches in India have welcomed the government in Delhi's decision to withdraw its permission for a mining project of the Vedanta group in the remote tribal areas of eastern Orissa state that stirred controversy.

The wholeness of creation and the commitment for justice are two biblical insights that have guided ecumenical concern on climate change, say the editors of the latest issue of The Ecumenical Review, published under the title, "Churches Caring for Creation and Climate Justice".

The General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted a historic resolution on July 28 recognizing “the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of the right to life.”

Tokyo, 30 July (ENI)--A church-linked environmental centre in South Korea is urging the world's Christians to pray for the protection of the country's four major rivers, which they say are threatened by government development plans.

Jerusalem, 28 July (ENI)--Health concerns relating to water quality have triggered an environmental advocacy group to call for the banning of baptisms in the lower Jordan River, where the Bible says Jesus was baptised.

A few days ago, I was handing out bottles of water within a few miles of Israel/Palestine’s only major river, the Jordan. The village of Al Fasayel lies in a desert landscape, a contrast to nearby Israeli settlements, which have access to almost unlimited water. Al Fasayel itself has not had water on tap for over seven weeks.

Grand Rapids/Geneva, 6 July (ENI)--Church-backed campaigners on water issues say they have received a boost from a global body representing 80 million Protestants that has called on its members to support access to water as a basic human right.

The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, recognized the Church of South India for “Its Long Term Commitment to Protect the Living Planet” on Nov. 3, 2009 at a ceremony at Windsor Castle, presided over by Prince Phillip., the Duke of Edinburgh. The awards was pre-sented by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General.

The international tug-of-war over carbon emission thresholds and other instruments meant to limit the deterioration of the earth's climate has caused a big stir in recent months, but yielded little results. Therefore the international community must now get ready to take care of those who will be forced from their homes by climate change.

In an ecumenical declaration to be presented at the final session of the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, Christian organizations and individuals stress the positive role that religions and spirituality can play for a more harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.