June 5, 2020
To mark World Environment Day, the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative has launched a Resource Guide on Rainforest Protection for Religious Communities. The publication outlines in detail how the protection of rainforests and the rights of indigenous peoples who serve as their guardians is essential to stopping biodiversity loss, combatting climate change and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and why doing so is a moral duty and spiritual concern. It also includes spiritual reflections from 10 religious leaders on the basis in their faiths for protecting rainforests, along with guidance on how religious communities can get involved on this critical issue. The Resource Guide on Rainforest Protection for Religious Communities is the latest in a library of materials produced by the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative, including country facts sheets, issue primers on rainforests, climate change and the rights of indigenous peoples and faith toolkits for eight world religions.