2019 Green News Archive 2019 Green News Archive

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News from Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Spain 2nd -14th December - All Reports

31 December 2019

From 2nd to14th December, the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) is taking place in Madrid, Spain.  It is the 11th Climate Conference where Brahma Kumaris (BK) is actively participating.  Our BK green youngsters arrived previously on Thursday 28th.  They joined the Conference of Youth (COY), which is held before the UN governmental event.

 

 

 

Right from the beginning of this year the Chilean BKs have been whole heartedly involved as the conference was to take place Santiago de Chile.  The preparatory team had many meetings with interfaith organisations and civil society activists.  In November, the conference was abruptly moved to Madrid, Spain due to the civil unrest in Chile.  So, there was little time to relocate and plan all the programs and activities.  The Spanish family was ever ready and, in less than a month, all was organised.

 

The BK Team

As usual, our green team comes from all over the world.  The head of the delegation is Sister Jayanti (UK) supported by Golo (India), Valériane (Switzerland), Sonja (Denmark), Julia (New York), Gabrielle (Australia), Shantanau (India) with Bill, Marta, Maria and Moschi from Spain.  The Madrid centre has been welcoming all of us with a warm heart.

 

Indigenous Peoples Platform Meeting

Valériane has been attending the local community and indigenous people’s platform

 

Valériane has been attending the local community and indigenous people’s platform meeting in Madrid prior to the COP25.  There were about 70 people from the different indigenous communities around the world formulating strategy and best course of action regarding the COP25.

 

For the plan of action, food, water, survival and transmission of indigenous knowledge for resilience and adaptation are high on the priority list.

 

A Maoris stated: Our oceans are burning from the acidity even if you can't see the smoke… The planet has a fever...  In a human body we can deal with 1.5 or 2 extra degrees but not with too much more.

 

Interfaith opening of COP

A group of faith-based organizations arranged the COP25 Interfaith Dialogue on Hope and Action for Sunday, 1 December.  It took place at the Iglesia Evangélica Española located in the old part of Madrid.  The organizers were Franciscans International, Dominicans for Justice and Peace, World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, Green Faith, Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), Islamic Relief Service and the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.  It was attended by more than 100 people.

 

Valériane welcomed everyone to this space for faith communities to share knowledge, experiences and initiatives. With shared concerns and hopes, climate change can be mitigated.

 

The dialogue started with a panel discussion by Amanda Kron (OHCHR), Lindsey Cook (QUNO), Khulekani Magwaza (Lutheran World Federation) and Marta Matarin (Brahma Kumaris) facilitated by Athena Peralta(WCC).  Marta shared how the spiritual powers of love and peace become laws that govern our existence.  When we connect with the sacred space within, we automatically share those powers with others and the planet.

 

Towards the end, a meditation and service was conducted by BK Esperanza (Seville) and Alfredo, the local priest.  It was a good opportunity for the people of faith to share news of the impact of climate change upon their communities.

 

Links to newspaper articles:

Lutheran World News:

https://www.lutheranworld.org/news/faith-communities-mobilize-madrid-eve-cop25
Le Pais
:

 

El País

https://elpais.com/sociedad/2019/12/01/actualidad/1575187979_179292.html

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 1

Opening

More than 50 World leaders gathered for the official opening of the Climate Conference on Monday morning in the IFEMA Exhibition ground in Madrid.  The UN General Secretary A.  Gutteres said it is time now to take important decisions to limit our emissions.  He urged the countries to be more ambitious as the Planet is close to the point of no return.  Chilean environment minister Caroline Schmidt said climate change hits the most vulnerable people, communities and countries in an unfair way.

Human Rights and Climate change

 

Valériane went to the first meeting of the Human Rights and Climate change group.  This gathering is looking into the human rights issues related to the different articles and procedural decisions that have to be kept in mind and promoted during the COP25.

 

BK Exhibition

This year all organisations are each getting their exhibition stand only for two days.  As often in the past, we shared our exhibition booth with ISMUN – International Student Movements of the United Nations.  After setting up the stand and having an inaugural meditation, we immediately became busy distributing the popular blessing cards and wristbands.

 

Click here for PDF format of Report 1 of Climate Change Conf

 

Click here for ECO Programs in Chile - November & December

 

 

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 2

 

The climate conference has started and is now in full swing. More than 20,000 delegates have arrived. The civil society is also present in big numbers and even Greta Thunberg has arrived in Lisbon today by sailboat. This COP is all about stepping up ambitions and responding to the latest scientific reports which indicate that climate change may spiral out of control. For more information and background please read this article:

 

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/4-key-tasks-countries-cop25-madrid

 

For the Brahma Kumaris (BK), the first day of COP25 had the most engagements and programs. Sister Jayanti arrived early morning, and Valériane had to leave suddenly due to family matters. We had 3 side events in the COP area and a busy day at the stand.

 

Exhibition: 10 ways to change the world

The stand as been well received right from start with many visitors from all over the world, a mix of government representatives and civil society. Our free, colourful wristbands with the “10 ways to change” slogans along with our web link seemed to be most attractive and helped a lot to engage participants.......click here for full report with photos.

 

 

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 3

 

 

The Brahma Kumaris team continue to be busy meeting organisation leaders from around the world and sharing the message of peace.  In this report there is:

 

  • BK COP Press conference
  • Lecture at University Carlos III
  • Sister Jayanti meeting the Environment minister of Argentina
  • A view of the Indian Pavilion

Click here for complete report.

 

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 4

 

Golo and Sonja brought the eternal COP flame from Chile to Madrid. Sister Jayanti official handed it over to the Spanish Brahma Kumaris (BK’s).

 

Workshop on tracking progress 2020-23

Julia and Maria attended a meeting which was part of a two-day CAMDA workshop on data collection and climate action. This workshop was attended by high level delegates who stressed the importance of proper data analyses and tracking developments to take the right decisions in time. More information here.

 

Inner Dimension of Climate Change

Our long-term partner Global Peace Initiative hosted an evening event aimed at mobilizing young people in Spain for climate action. Sister Jayanti, Sonja, Sanjay and Shantanau were invited on behalf of the BK’s.

 

“With the permission of the Father Sky and Mother Earth I have come to deliver a message”, was the opening statement by an indigenous community leader from Mexico. He continued saying that we were indigenous people 5000 years ago, and that the present crisis is a sign of a diseased human heart and head.

 

Sister Jayanti shared her experience of God being the Protector in these times of emptiness and fear and that our primary task is to stay steady and calm. She conducted a deep meditation taking the group into an experience of closeness to God and healing the earth.

 

Click here or rest of the report with more photos.

 

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 5

 

 

Half-way briefing

This morning, our team met for the half-way briefing. BKs programs and activities have gone well but it appears the conference is not yet on track to deal adequately with the climate crisis. There is still a week to go but experts already voice doubts if the outcome is good enough.

 

Climate change may spiral out of control as the recent scientific reports do paint a grim picture of the future. So, our main topics of hope, solidarity and trust are more than ever in demand and appreciated. Everyone in our
team is ready for another week of action. Gabrielle from Australia and Maria from Spain are saying goodbye as they had accreditation for only the first week.

 

Message from Dadi Janki

Dadi Janki, Head of the Brahma Kumaris, gave a message for the BK green team in Spain. She is 103 but still up to date on climate matters. She said: There are the five elements in the world – ether, air, water fire, and earth. Nowadays these five elements cannot be trusted. Therefore, act with peace. Honesty, love and peace – let me have these three qualities in my life in a natural way. I personally benefit with these three and those who live with me also benefit. Let me be very clear in my aim and I do not depend on anything. Let me be the change. Internally, we have to be strong in our efforts......click here for full report with more photos.

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 6

The climate conference is entering in its second week and soon environment and foreign ministers will arrive to give a boost and finalise the outcome. Interestingly, the overriding issue of how fast the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions has received little official attention. “We are at risk of getting so bogged down in incremental technicalities at these negotiations that we forget to see the forest for the trees,” said Johan Rockström, joint director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. For more information, read the full article here.

 

Maisa Rojas, scientific coordinator for the COP25, director Chile’s Centre for Climate and Resilience Research said the protests that forced the climate conference from Santiago to Madrid had a 10 years’ drought in Chile at its core. For more information, see here.

 

Click here to read the full report with photos.

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 9

 

This morning started with a series of talks in the main plenary hall, moderated by Gonzalo Muñoz. He is the designated climate champion from Chile. The first Speaker was Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Climate Institute and he summed up the latest findings in climate research. The picture he presented was rather grim; ice melting much faster than expected, permafrost thawing and releasing huge quantities of methane gas, Atlantic circulation weakening by 15 % and so on. He explained that out of 12 climate tipping points, 8 are already beginning to move. They are all inter-connected and there is real danger that things might spiral out of control. He concluded that the window for action is still open, but barely.

 

Later in the session, Greta Thunberg gave a rather sober speech. She noted that 100 companies are responsible for 71 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and that since the Paris agreement, global banks have invested $1.9 trillion in fossil fuels. She accused political leaders from rich countries of “misleading” people about the crisis and “finding clever ways around having to take real action,” including outsourcing emissions overseas to poorer countries and refusing to compensate vulnerable nations for climate-related damages. This interesting panel can be seen here.

 

 

Click here for full report.

 

Om Shanti.

These are the last two COP25 reports.

 

All the reports can be seen at: https://eco.brahmakumaris.org/category/latest/

 

Please use the links below to see the reports in PDF or phone compatible formats.

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 10

 

The tireless BK COP Team continue holding events and collaborating with other groups.  In this report:

  • More news from the COP
  • Side event in the Chile Pavilion
  • An intergenerational dialogue between all the UN climate bodies and youth representations
  • A UN head of organisations leadership dialogue
  • Civil society forum
  • Some splendid photos    

See the report

 

See the report (phone)

 

 

COP25 – Madrid – Report 11 (last) 

 

After a busy two weeks, much has been done by the team.  Several new collaborations have been created.  The team is now dispersing back to their places around the world.  In this report:

  • A review of the final outcome from COP25
  • Article in German Newspaper “Die Zeit”
  • A Vigil by Interfaith community
  • Travel compensation arrangements
  • A creative reflection and dialogue
  • Feedback meeting
  • A birthday party
  • Goodbye from the editing team
  • Additional reporting on the reflection and dialogue space     

See the report and photos

 

See the report and photos (phone)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tedx Talk by Golo, Climate Change Conference and New Green Webpage

7 December 2019

Dear Brothers and Sister, om shanti 


TEDx TALK


This is to share the good news that brother Golo gave in June 2019 a TEDx talk at Malmoe University in Slottsparken, Sweden.

 

The talk is titled: "World in Transition - A Spiritual Awakening and New Paradigm" | Golo J. Pilz | TEDxSlottsparken

It can now be seen in YouTube TED channel. Click below image to play of video.

 

 

Golo talks upon climate change and the spiritual power we all have to bring a change. He ends the talk with meditation for planet earth.

 

Climate Change Conference starts
We also like to inform that the yearly UN Climate Change conference COP25 starts in Madrid on the 2nd December. There was a very short notice to organise it, all as the previous venue in Santiago de Chile got canceled due to civil unrest.

 

The green team headed by sister Jayanti with the help of all BKs of Spain will participate in this conference and more than 20 programs, talks, and interviews have been lined up. The delegation and calendar of events can be seen here:

 

We will keep you posted with regular reports and our press conference and side event will be live-streamed at the www.unfcc.int/cop25 

 

New Green Webpage live
We are also very happy to inform you that the green webpage has undergone a major facelift. Kindly have a look at www.eco.brahmakumaris.org
 and give us your feedback.


With best wishes

Yours

BK Environment team

 

 

 

News from France of the Le Havre Positive Planet Forum

3 November 2019

5000 people were gathered during three days, with 150 speakers from all over the world who presented practical positive propositions to change our societies facing new challenges and the Brahma Kumaris were invited to participate.

 

Four main agreements have been signed by François Albert Amichia (Minister from Ivory Coast, François Baroin for the French Mayors Association, Guy Geoffroy for the Ecological Mayors and Michele Sabban for R20, in order to expand positive economy everywhere and help local officials to move on with this positive transition.

 

This year, an important place has been offered to young people through children and school forums, allowing them to address their concerns to the Education Ministry and to leaders of large corporations.

 

Topics ranged from saving the oceans to new food and transportation modes, with many films being shown and a concert at the end, with artists like Martin Solveig, Kungs and Myd, among 35 000 people on the Nelson Mandela plaza.

 

Click here for full report with photos.

 

 

 

Green Newsletter for September, 2019

29 September 2019

Dear Spiritual Eco Servers

Lovely and green greetings. Here comes another newsletter with green updates and inspirations.

 

Arnold writes: It was in January 2009 that we started the BK Environment Initiative.  In those ten years a lot has changed with respect to the climate, both inside and outside the BK. The most obvious change is the raise in awareness. Nowadays, people are talking about climate crisis and emergency instead of climate change. When people personally experience heatwaves, droughts, floods or storms, they truly start caring. Especially the lives of youth and future generations are impacted. That is why students have started climate strikes all over the world, please check https://globalclimatestrike.net. The next ten years will be crucial for the future of the planet. Will you actively contribute as well?

 

Adaptation is not an alternative to a redoubled effort to stop climate change, but an essential complement to it. The good news is that adaptation, done right, will lead to better growth and development. It will also protect nature, reduce inequalities, and create opportunities. Here is the link to the full report from Global Center on Adaptation.

 

NEW - Video Green Angel CommentariesBK Nico from Switzerland has made a beautiful green angel meditation video. We now have a new green website in Spanish - congratulations to the team:

 

https://medioambiente.brahmakumaris.org

 

Looking ahead:
Green Day in Madhuban in 12 October

Welcome to finetune your relation with Mother Earth. With presentations about Planetary Consciousness we will go deep into the connection between mind and matter. We will arrange a variety of green conversations, art workshops, silent morning walks and an evening peace concert. You are most welcome to join – Golo, David, Sonja


The Living the change network is calling for programs, conferences and workshops around behaviour for sustainability. Food, life style change, are favourite topics of theirs.  If you have organised anything or plan to please kindly fill this online table where information is collected for the the world map as soon as possible. 

 

Climate change for youth all over the world
The Conference of Youth (COY) is the official climate change event, an annual gathering of young people from all over the world, who are passionate about climate change and environmental topics. Local COY (LCOY) are organised in different parts of the world. Our BK Environment Initiative, which has been taking part in the COY since 2011, provides youth with workshops on the connection between consciousness and climate change and self-empowerment through meditation. This year Local COY will take place in the following countries: Austria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, Haiti, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, the NetherlandsNicaragua, Pakistan, Poland and UK. There might be more countries participating. Kindly check here 
for the latest information and contact brother Niranjan if you like to participate at environment@brahmakumaris.org

 

 

Reports:

 

The living the change network is calling for programs, conferences and workshops around behaviour for sustainability. Food, life style change, are favourite topics of theirs. If you have organised anything or plan to please kindly fill this online table, where information is collected for the worldmap, as soon as possible.

 

UN Conference on Combating Desertification in New Dehli
The UNCCD COP14 was organized from 2nd to 13th September 2019 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida in which delegates from 196 countries participated. The Brahma Kumaris Ecio Initiative particiapted with an international delegation. You can read 5 reports here
 with pictures also from our Happy Farm.

 

Visit Happy Farm Noida, New Dehli

NGO Conference in UTAH in August 2019 – Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities, you can read about BK participation here.

 

 


Salvadore, Brazil
This is a photo report 
of the participation of Brhama Kumaris in the Climate Week for Latin America & Caribbean

 

 

Laudatio Si Conference
Celebration of the 4th anniversary of Laudato Si and the 5th anniversary of the Catholic environment group CYNESA, Kenya July 2019. Nairobi green team participated, see report

 

Green Retreat in Malaysia
The Brahma Kumaris family in Malaysia held a green retreat to look at aspects of agriculture with experts giving advice on such matters as Fertigation and Hydroponic Farming Systems. This was combined with reflections on the power of meditation to positively affect agriculture yields (yogic farming) See report

 

World Environment Day
We got acknowledgment from UNEP for our World Environment Day programs: “We’re doing a compilation from all the faith-based activities done in World Environmental Day and Brahma Kumaris was one of the most active organizations, and we want to thank you for all your effort and implication during that day.” See this report from Brazil 
with beautiful photos from many places incl. a Flash Mob.

 

Ban on single-use plastics in Abu

Good news from Madhuban about plastic. Read more about plastic free yagnya here.

 

"Many cities in India are working towards a ban on single-use plastics. Since 15 August 2019, Mount Abu/Abu Road Municipality and local government officials have declared a complete ban on single-use plastics or disposable plastics, which are commonly used for packaging, and include items intended to be used only once. These include in particular: Grocery/carry bags, food packaging, water bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.Very strict action will be taken against those using the above items in any of the Brahma Kumaris' campuses. There will be fines for the first two times one is caught, and then a larger fine plus a First Information Report lodged in the fourth instance.

 

Pandav Bhawan, Gyan Sarovar and Shantivan have started to use biodegradable plastic in its departments, and we strongly urge all BKs and visitors to refrain from carrying/using/giving any form of single-use plastic during their stay in Abu. One litre Mineral Water bottles will still be available for double foreigners as every year. However, we request that these be kept in your rooms, and you can fill your personal double-walled/insulated water bottles to carry around the campuses. Once used, the single-use Mineral Water bottles can be deposited in a place on campus assigned for this purpose, and not discarded anywhere else."

 

Recommended links:

From Sister Maureen, London:  30 minute summary from WWF: Our Planet Our Business 

 

 

 

 

 

UNCCD COP 14 Service Report from New Delhi, India

12 September 2019

1st September:

 

The  United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Conference of Parties 14 (UNCCD COP 14) is aimed at combatting desertification, land degradation & drought & focused on  UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15). This COP is organised every second year and this year the host country is India, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change. The dates are from the 2nd September to 13th September 2019.

 

Brahma Kumaris got the accreditation as an observer organisation to UNCCD COP 14 just recently, so this will be the first time BKs will be taking part in this conference.

 

Long before the actual conference started the team had their regular skype meetings where they discussed and planned their events. Also regular yoga was done for this event specially.

 

We are the only Faith Based Organization (FBO) taking part in this Conference.

 

The BK delegation arrived on the 1st of September at Greater Noida. The BK family welcomed us all. The members of BK delegation are BK Rajesh Dave (Mumbai), BK John Ndiritu (South Africa), BK Shantanu (Madhuban), BK Swati (New Delhi), BK Parul (New Delhi) & BK Aneta (Poland/ Madhuban). The local BK family is helping us at every little and big step. To mention some of them: BK Vivek, BK Anita, BK Lalita, BK Vanita and BK Raghav. Its like an extended delegation that is serving the conference from outside.

 

We set up the BK booth  which is just next to the India Pavilion. The second stall from the entrance (actually the first one as the first stall is empty for the time being so the first attention of the visitors falls on ours). The stall is quite big allowing us to display all our relevant posters and materials, we also have a nice big LED TV set that is constantly showing various BK environment initiative videos. The posters that we have displayed are Sustainable Yogic Farming (the objectives, process and experiments done so far), results of researches on power of consciousness on carrot cultivation, before and after example of how to change a barren land to a productive land. There is a poster of the new social wing campaign, together with plantation images of women, school kids from various corners of the country. BK renewable energy initiatives are present with information and images of India One Solar Plant and solar trainings.

 

One of the unique addition to this presentation is the poster of Happy Farm. Happy farm is a 25 acre land where BK are doing yogic farming.  It is just 10 minutes away from the Expo Mart of UNCCD COP 14 venue. Its is just like an extended booth of ours. Regularly twice a day we are organizing trips for interested delegates who want to experience yogic farming and yogic atmosphere. The speciality of the booth this year is the fragrance of fresh tuberose flowers from yogic farming which attract many, many souls.

 

On the same day we attended the first CSO coordination meeting. Brahma Kumaris got accredited to the UNCCD COP 14 as an observer organisation within the CSO community. It was the orientation meeting for the CSOs where various inputs were given on new communication methods like mobilize app, etc. The main agenda point was preparation of the opening statement on the behalf of CSOs for the inaugural session for UNCCD COP 14 to happen the next day, 2nd of September.

 

There are 5 main CSO priorities:-

1:  Recognition by policy makers and others that community led initiatives are contributing to land degradation neutrality.

2: Securing land tenures in general and of women, young people and vulnerable groups specifically.

3: Participation of CSO in decision making process related to Land Degradation Neutrality

(LDN) targets is crucial.

4: Finance must be accessible and appropriate to achieve this LDN Targets.

5: Transform our society to achieve greater sustainability and equity especially gender.

 

The day ended with a nice meditation and blessing cards at the booth.

 

DAY 1:

2nd September

 

The day started with CSO (Civil Society Organisation) daily coordination meeting. We also enrolled for the working groups.

BK Aneta into Round table 1 on Land, Climate and Renewable Energy.

BK Swati into  Interactive Dialogue 01 - Value Based Approach on Land Stewardship

BK Shantanu into Interactive Dialogue 02 - Healthy Planet, Healthy People.

BK Ndiritu into Interactive Dialogue 03 - Boosting Sustainable Value Chains for Land Based Business.

 

 

BK Ndiritu attended the meeting of all African CSOs. The discussion was to sensitize the delegates to engage actively and openly in all events with awareness that they represent around 1.3 billion African population. There was also statement formulation for the plenary sessions.

 

Some Youth Forum participants also met BK Shantanu and BK Parul.

 

 

Later in the day, Mr. Prakash Javedkar (the New President of UNCCD COP 14 - Minister of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, India) inaugurated the COP 14 and opened the plenary session by addressing the delegates. He talked about how Indians consider the land as their mother hence the UNCCD is of the utmost importance. As in India 29.3 percent of land is affected by degradation due to increased misuse of land resources and forests, so organising such an event becomes even more essential. He feels optimistic about the future because if our human actions caused the damage of climate change, land degradation, desertification and biodiversity destruction, so can our actions restore back our lands. There are representatives from 195 countries present at the conference.

 

We also attended a side event organised by GIZ on Translating Soil and Land Rehabilitation into Action for LDN and Sustainable Livelihood. The main slogan is “A World without Hunger is possible”. This special program of GIZ is implemented in 7 countries. Their targets include food security in 11 countries for 18 million people to be improved, development of 14 Green Innovation Centers, to improve life of 7 million people, rehabilitation of soil fertility of degraded soils.

 

BK delegates were kept very much engaged from the very beginning of the day because of the regular visits of many delegates to the booth. There were many interested delegates who wanted to visit the Happy Farm site to witness the yogic agriculture sample on first hand. At the end of the exhibition in the evening guests were taken to Happy Farm, where they visited the farm and also experienced a beautiful meditation conducted by BK Aneta.

 

DAY 2:

3rd September

 

We started the day with Daily CSO coordination meeting where we invited  everyone to our side event happening on the same day and also invited to our booth and Happy Farm.

 

Then we had our team meeting where we reviewed our past two days and made plans for the coming days. The booth is really doing a lot of service as most of the time there are some visitors there. Nathalie Van Haren (UNCCD COP 14 CSO Secretariat) got introduction to all BK environment initiatives and appreciated our contribution to achieving UNCCD COP targets.

 

From 1 PM to 3 PM we had our side event on Sustainable Capacity Building for Individuals and Communities in Challenging Times. As it is a paperless conference, we advertised this side event in all the media platforms being used by UNCCD COP like UNCCD App, Mobilize app, WhatsApp groups. etc. This side event was co-organised by another faith based organisation (FBO) Diverse Earth. The panel consisted of BK Aneta (R&D Coordinator India One), Liza Zogib (Founder & Director, Diverse Earth), BK Rajesh Dave (Executive Member of Rural Development Wing of Brahma Kumaris) & BK John Ndiritu (Asst. Profesor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa). The event started with a moment of silence. The motive behind this side event was to explore the role of consciousness in desertification and present examples of success stories of applications of pure consiciousness on the matter: yogic agriculture, water and consciousness, solar energy. Also, presented was the role of sacred, natural sites in building resilience as beacons of hope and in transformation. It ended with a powerful meditation. Participants gave their valuable feedbacks after the sessions. Most of them were amazed that such a great potential is in the power of positive awareness and they felt that Brahma Kumaris must reach out more with their powerful messages to people. They were very touched by the meditation experiences specially.

 

The day was closed again with a visit to Happy Farm of interested delegates. Delegates from Israel and South Africa visited the Happy Farm, experienced meditation and felt very blessed.

 

 

 

Day 9

10th September

We started the day with our CSO (Civil Society Organizations) meeting. In the plenary session in the morning, there was a very interesting panel. The panel had Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (Isha Foundation), Baaba Maal (Senegalese Musician) and others. There were 3 interventions. There was a CSO intervention on theme “Value-based land stewardship”. BK Shantanu’s inputs laid the foundation for the preparation of the statement.

 



After this, there was a meeting of youth delegates with UNEP Executive Director Ms. Inger Anderson. It was a very small group, specifically the youth constituency, with some observers like BK Aneta and few others. BK Shantanu and BK Parul were amongst the youth constituency. NK Shantanu made an intervention and also raised a question. The intervention was to incentivize efforts of youth on all levels for youth and his question was, “What values in the inner world of an individual does UNEP in particular consider to change the outer world?”. Ms. Inger in her reply first mentioned that yes, incentivizing can be a great model to keep the energy of youth freely flowing for longer durations, but the mode of incentives can be different in context of the place and people. She further added that the question is really a very deep one and one must consider its importance because it is with values that actions have any meaning. The values that UN in general endorses are of equity, respect and unity. So UNEP too works on this model and encourages efforts that strengthen these values in individuals and community. She also said “I thank you for putting this question on floor because when there is failure in one’s efforts, it is these values that bring us back to action and so one must make the foundation of values stronger and deeper. Recharge your batteries every day because the task is huge and the path is rough”.

 



After this event there was a luncheon with HLS (High Level Segment) hosted by UNEP (United Nations Environment Program). In this event many CEOs, Ministers, world leaders, heads of delegations were present. There were youth constituency members too present. BK Aneta, head of BK delegation was present and also was BK Shantanu, who has prepared the interventions that were to be made by the Youth Representative in the session. The Panel had Ms. Inger Anderson (UNEP Executive Director), Mr. Tim Chirstophersen (Coordinator, UNEP for Land, Water & Climate), Ms. Naoko Ishii (CEO GEF), Ms. Yugratna Shrivastava (Global Focal Point for YOUNGO, and Youth Caucus UNCCD). The ideas were coming from every corner to make the upcoming decade of UNEP, successful.

 

Later BK Aneta met Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, CSO Leader, Indigenous Peoples Activist from Chad and Tim Chirstophersen in person and invited them for an informal dinner organized by BKs on the 11th September.

 

John Ndiritu attended a Technology Fair presentation by GIZ (Germany) on digitalization approaches to foster urban-rural nutrient and carbon cycle by enabling farmers in rural areas to obtain organic fertilizer from wastewater treatment works in urban areas efficiently.

 

Later that day, John Ndiritu attended the Day of Action for Land at the Rio Pavilion where the 2019 Land for Life winner and three previous winners spoke and made presentations. John Ndiritu enquired about the severity of sedimentation in the catchment and at a recently constructed dam and was informed that it is not significant at this point in time.

 

There was a delegation of the Polish government attending the HLS negotiations. They were first met by BK Aneta and then they visited BK booth were BK Ndiritu introduced all BK activities and BK Swati shared green blessings.


In the evening, many delegates were taken to the Happy Farm. After learning how the yogic farming is different to organic farming they were very happy to try some meditation themselves. So a beautiful mediation was conducted for them.

 

In the entire day almost 50 people visited the BK booth.

 

Day 10

11th September

The day began with a very busy note. Half of our team, the local BK family was engaged in the evening preparation, as we have invited some CSO heads, important VIP delegates for an evening, informal dinner at Vivek Bhai’s place called “Light House” in Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida.

 

In the morning we had a special breakfast with Mr. Tim Chirstophersen at the Happy Farm. As Mr. Tim wasn’t able to attend our dinner, but he wanted to see the Happy Farm before he left India. He spent an hour with the BK delegation who told him about all the UN initiatives, where BKs are active members. He was surprised to see the massive work of BKs in all sectors, particularly in renewable energy and yogic farming. He expressed his happiness after a sweet meditation conducted by BK Aneta and felt refreshed on the farm. He informed he would be keenly looking forward to BK’s cooperation in preparations for the guidelines of the UNEP Decade for Restoration of Ecosystems.

 

In the afternoon, BK Aneta had a presentation on “Science and Spirituality: 24 hr solar power generation” in the TECH Fair, at the Exhibition area which was very well attended.     Many delegates from the audience expressed their willingness to visit the India One solar thermal plant and some showed more interest in learning meditation. After the presentation, BK Aneta gave a short interview for PIB India on Twitter (Press Information Bureau – nodal agency for communicating to media on behalf of Government of India).

 

BK Parul and BK Swati attended a side event organized by UNDP India. The plenary was decorated with some very unusual dignitaries, “the rag pickers”. As UNDP India had a stall that had many innovations done from plastic waste. The CEO , Mr. Sodhi (who later visited our booth) said that the idea behind bringing the waste pickers as delegates is that they must be heard and their voices are also the voices of the vulnerable ones who are indirectly or directly affected by climate change. The waste / rag pickers showed their views in very timid yet heart touching ways. One of them said that “I am not educated at all, but I feel surprised to see how educated people make mistake in mixing dry waste and wet waste together.”

 

After lunch, BK Parul attended another workshop, organized by Plant for the Planet. The key message was that there are 3 trillion trees in the world, and we all can grow another 1 trillion trees. So they encouraged all to take part in the campaign and contribute to trillion trees plantation; those trees would have identity marked in GPS and so there would be the proper accountability of the efforts. She also put her interventions in the open dialogues where she said that even though there is awareness about the importance of plantation, yet there is lesser effort. She bridged the gap by saying that, lack of self-awareness leads youth to use their vital energy in unnecessary activities, whereas those who are self-aware and understand their true potential, they simply use it in the right direction, hence self-awareness and a value based lifestyle is important for bringing any noble mission to success.

 

John Ndiritu attended the Drought Preparedness Day at the Rio Pavilion. The event was opened by the UNCCD Executive Secretary Mr Ibrahim Thiaw after which addresses were made by the South African Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and by highly-placed officials of several international organizations (FAO, GWP, UN-Water, Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Centre, and Africa Risk Capacity). An all women panel on drought resilience that was moderated by Ms Samia Nkrumah, the President of the Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Centre, Ghana with speakers: Ms Caroline King-Okumu, a researcher in Ecology and Hydrology from Kenya, Ms Hindou Ibrahim, an Environmental Activist from Chad, Ms. Lorena Revelo, Vice Minister Foreign Affairs, Costa. John Ndiritu later met Ms Samia Nkrumah introducing the Brahma Kumaris as a global women-led organization and informing about BK environmental activities. She informed that she meditates and it is obvious to her that positive mind power definitely improves crop yield as studies on yogic farming show.

 

Later in the afternoon, a drought tool box developed jointly by several agencies (UNCCD, FAO, GWP, WMO, UNEP-DHI, JRC, and NDMC) was launched and demonstrated.

 

During the day, BK Swati and others attended to delegates coming to the booth; total visitors were more than 60.

 

In the evening BK Aneta and BK John took few guests to the Happy Farm. After a guided tour there was a powerful meditation session conducted by BK Aneta. One of the delegates Mr. Emmanuel Seck, CSO leader from Senegal, member of the core CSO team at UNCD COP14 liked it very much, got relaxed and refreshed after a very intense day and said he would like to learn more about meditation and join us for dinner. Earlier due to a sudden announcement of a high tea organized for the delegates by the Government of India, many of them declined the invitation for our dinner. However, later in the evening, many of them joined us, because Emmanuel shared his experience to them and they were motivated to rejoin.

 

In the evening there were guests from Chad, China, Guinea Conakry, Iran, Korea, Mauritania, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Uganda who joined us for our evening reception. There was a very homely atmosphere, as there were virtue games, nourishing chit chats and refreshing vegan food. BK Vivek and BK Asha transformed their house into a beautiful garden with love, care and open hearts. BK Parul invited the guests for some joyful  raas and bhangra and BK Raghav played flute. Later, BK Aneta conducted a meditation for everyone to connect to the source of peace and happiness. There were gifts and blessings sharing. Some VIPs who attended the dinner were Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, the activist for indigenous peoples, from Chad; Mr. John from Future Forest, Korea; Mr. Emmanuel Seck, CSO leader from Senegal; Ms. Jiajia, CSO leader from China and several others. This was a very special dinner because most of the guests were unknown to Brahma Kumaris before COP14 and this friendship was developed during the Conference itself.

 

Day 11

12th September

Our day began with the daily CSO meeting. The main agenda for the day was to prepare the final statement for the plenary session of the COW (Committee of Whole at the COP High level Segment) and signing of a common youth declaration by joint youth bodies.

 

Sister Jayanti sent a beautiful and powerful message for the delegates of COP14, which we shared in many social media groups.

 

BK Shantanu gave his interventions to be drafted in the final statement of the CSOs. The two interventions made, were incorporated in the final statement that was read in the plenary session.

 

BK aneta was approached by the representative of CSO from Bangladesh who expressed his high interest and gratitude for what he heard from BKs, especially about yogic farming and on behalf of the Minister from Bangladesh, he extended an invitation for the BKs to help with establishing such a system there.

 

 

Later in the afternoon BK Shantanu and BK Aneta attended the first screening of the documentary Great Green Wall of Africa made by Inna Modja, an activist and musician from Mali. It was a narrative that opened eyes of viewers on what exactly desertification, land degradation and climate induced migration meant for human survival; showing both the current despair and hope for a better future. Some of the guests who attended the screening later on came to our booth to just relax to find some peace. One of such guest was Dr. Bijay K. Nanda (Founding Member, Asia Region, The World Bank, USA DC).

Early in the afternoon 2 delegates from FAO, two organic farmers and four undergraduate students visited Happy Farm where BK Vivek and Raghav informed about the activities and plans for the farm. BK Ndiritu described yogic farming, some basics of meditation and conducted a short meditation for the group.

 

 

Other delegates who visited Happy Farm that day were from Cambodia and India. They got many of their questions answered, on both yogic agriculture and meditation. Among them there was Mr. Mandal, the retired Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, state in India. They all appreciated the experience of quiet meditation and serving the nature through the mind.

Later in the evening BK Aneta, BK John and BK Shantanu met with sisters from all the centers who have helped the UNCCD delegation with food, accommodation and other logistics. They thanked them for their tireless efforts and gifted beautiful rubber plants with angels, as a token of loving appreciation.

 

The same day, good news came to us, that Brahma Kumaris will be hosting the official LCOY (Local Conference of Youth) for India, this year.

 

 

Day 12

13th September

On the last day of the Conference, many people including the Vice President of Bolivia visited our booth. Some guests also visited Happy Farm and enjoyed the yogic atmosphere there.   

 

With early good bye to the class in Greater Noida, BK Aneta, BK John, BK Parul and BK Shantanu left for New Delhi, for an International Seminar on Science, Environment and Spirituality. The seminar was organized by the Eco Club of Shivaji College of Delhi University. Around 300 students from different colleges were present for the day-long seminar, with presentations by all the above BK delegates and poster presentations by some students also. The auditorium was full with students and faculty members.

 

 

BK Aneta showed some powerful slides and brought the participants attention to the present conditions of the world and how one can deal with this. She also spoke about the role of consciousness in changing the world by showing the example of India One Solar Power Plant.

 

BK John Ndiritu made a presentation on sustainable yogic farming and his research on the effect of meditation on crop yield and nutritional value and on seedling development. He invited the students to come up with innovative ideas, where they could experiment in their respective fields on the effect of consciousness and pure intentions on the elements of matter.

 

BK Parul energized the whole gathering with some joyful dancing and experience sharing on a sustainable lifestyle. She also strongly motivated the participants based on her experience from the past 2 weeks at COP 14 that the world is seriously in great danger unless we change our ways. She shared with the gathering that she didn’t understand earlier the reason behind people going vegan, but she declared to the audience that after her 2 weeks experience and study, she had now decided to take vegan lifestyle to bring change to the world. Truly the UNCCD COP 14 was transformational in so many ways, and one of such example was BK Parul, who is not just a Shiv Shakti but Eco Shakti, a great instrument to motivate people for the cause of the planet.

 

After a tea break, BK Shantanu conducted a session on Hope and Empowerment for Youth. He spoke about the importance of hope in life and how can one empower themselves. During his session he showcased a short movie for audience to interact and understand the topic more.

 

The seminar concluded with meditation, inviting everyone to ignite their hope through rediscovering the self and serving the Mother Earth through their peaceful and powerful thoughts.

 

In the end the gathering was welcomed to put few drops of water mixed with good vibrations on two kadam plants kept in the auditorium. Kadam is an indigenous and auspicious tree from that area. Everyone received blessing cards from BK Aneta and BK John. Later the BK delegation and students planted the kadam tree in the college compound, thus creating a memory that would provide cooling shade and comfort for the future.

 

In the evening BK John left for South Africa and BK Aneta left for Madhuban. BK Shantanu met the BK family at Satkar Bhawan in Delhi on the 14th morning and brought to everyone’s attention the lifestyle changes that every person should consider, to make this planet what it was originally.

 

One of the last days of COP14, Marcos Montoiro from the UNCCD Secretariat, who was very cooperative throughout our whole UNCCD journey, came to our booth to say that we must send our good vibrations, so that a big agenda of land tenure would get approved in the COP High Level Segment meeting. Later he thanked BK Aneta and the entire team for support all along the conference. He said it was one of the most successful ones for them. Land tenure was adopted which means a lot for vulnerable people. He said it was a pleasure working with the BK delegation.

 

We would like to thank the One, who made it all possible and to share our deep gratitude for BK Asha Didi Ji, for BK Raju Ji, BK Jay Prakash Ji & BK Sumanth from BK Rural Development Wing and for the whole BK family of Greater Noida, for their complete dedication and tireless service during the UNCCD COP14 event; big thank you to BK Vivek, BK Asha, BK Vanita, BK Raghav, BK Anita, BK Lalita, BK Priti and all other sisters and brothers for their big hearts and unlimited vision.

Thank You and Om Shanti.

 

 

 

Newsletter - Climate Emergency, Deep Adaptation and Spirituality in Society

14 August 2019

Lovely and green greetings. Here comes another newsletter with green updates and inspirations.

 

Time seems to accelerate and even climate change has been renamed into the climate emergency. And indeed the news coming in from various areas of this planet are quite concerning. It seems the change of climate and the deterioration of our environment is exponential and a debate within science community has begun, if we still have time to fix the various problems or it’s too late and things may spiral out of control.

 

In this regard, recently Sister Jayanti , Maureen, Sonja and Golo recently met to Prof. Jem Bendel of Cumbria University in Global Co-operation House in London. He says that climate change is out of control and we have 10 years time until a full collapse of our civilization. He suggests to inform the public about the dramatic events and prepare and allow them as best as possible to adapt towards the end.

 

We had a very interesting 2 hrs conversation and shared BKs message that we are immortal souls and a new age of happiness and truth is coming. He liked this news a lot and we ended our meeting with a powerful mediation.  For more news on Prof. Jem Bendel you can look up his paper "Deep Adaptionin the internet and "The Deep Adaption Forum"

 

Golo and Sonja also briefly met some of the founders of "Extinction Rebellionand  invited them for meditation.

 

We are all facing challenging times and for us it’s a clear call to strengthen our inner resilience and spread the message of love and hope.

 

From Golo on behalf of the editorial team Arnold, Peter, Sonja

We need to renew the old website - anyone out there that can help to rebuild the new site? Please write to us.

 

Now you can listen to Green Angel Commentaries on Spotify 

 

Spirituality in SocietyChristiana Figueres in conversation with Sister Jayanti.  This event took place in London 7th July 2019.


Christiana Figueres was the Executive Secretary of UNFCCC and the climate change conferences 2010-2016. Here she was in conversation with Sister Jayanti each supporting the idea that changes in attitude can create changes in the world environment, from their perspective. Read the summary report. See the video on youtube

 

EU Energy week 2019 

 

Brahma Kumaris were very active at EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the annual flagship event in Brussels, as well as organising a number of events in EU member states to bring spiritual awareness in shaping Europes' energy future.  These are described in this photo report

 

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2019 

 

These two reports give a summary on the BKEI involvement in SB50, the intercessional meeting of the UN's Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn. See the report and photos – first week and second week 

 

Sister Jayanti visit to Japan 
Sister Jayanti and Aneta visited a number of places in Japan, meeting the BK family and giving talks and sharing panel discussions on environmental issues.    See the report and photos 

 

Green Service in Polynesia
See intro video 
on how spirituality canhelp the planet. 
Follow the Pacific Facebook 
page and check out these programs: 
Inner Ecology and external world - 23.02.2018 - Tahiti (Papeete) 
When spirituality is helping the planet - 12.10.2018 - Noumea
Earth, environment and ecology - 01.03.2019 - Tahiti (Papeete)
Listen to the self, listen to the planet - 02.03.2019 - Tahiti (Papeete)

 

World Environment Day
A meeting was organised in the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre in Nairobi to commemorate World Environment day, 5th June. Many religious groups attended this meeting and  Jyotsna Patel and Dorcas from the BK's, were active there. See the report 

 

Next news will linclude Green retreat in Malaysia and World Environment Day in Brazil.

 

Recommended links:

FLY LESS - Stay Grounded Conference 

Listen to Seeking Fairness in an Unfair World with Angel Gurría from Outrage and Optimism in Podcasts.

 

Stand for Peace All over the world, people are Standing For PeaceThis is an invitation to anyone who dreams of building a peaceful, sustainable world for all.  A time to take what we have built together as UNITY EARTH and invite people everywhere to join us in Standing For Peace! Put yourself in the frame...

 

Invitation to join the global climate strikes

 

 

 

In Photos: "Green India Clean India" Program at Central School of Mount Abu

13 August 2019

 

Divine Sister / Brother , Greetings of Peace!

 

A Special Program "Green India Clean India" is organised in Central School of Mount Abu.

 

The program had a motivational speech by Dr. R.P. Gupta, Principal Sh. Meghwal and B.K. Virendra. The program was followed by plantation. Staff and students were present on this program. 

 

Thanking You.

 

Dr. BK Mruthyunjaya

Chairman, Education Wing 

Brahma Kumaris, HQ, Mount Abu

 

 

 

 

 

Green Newsletter - World Environment Day, Eco YouTube channel and more

27 June 2019

Dear Green Friends, Servers and Yogis 
 
Important - World Environment day is coming close and we have been asked by the UN office in Nairobi to make sure we register all our events on their website. You can read more below.
We also share news from Moringen and London.
We now have our own BK Environment Youtube channel. At the moment there are 10 videos on environmental issues. One new video is from Sister Jayanti dedicated to the Earth Call. Most welcome to subscribe! Link to BK Environment Channel
From your editorial team
Arnold, Golo, Peter and Sonja

 

World Environment Day 5th June
To all centers: Please share with us what you are doing for the World Environment Day (WED) and register your activities online. Faith For Earth office in Nairobi has created a special page as a Faith-based guide with simple steps for Faith-based organizations to adopt when celebrating WED. If we register all our activities, thenFaith For Earth will prepare a compendium of all submissions and publish it as “Faith Beat Pollution”. Please also send info on your activities to: environment@brahmakumaris.org

 

Nature crisis: Humans 'threaten 1million species with extinction' 

Arnold is encouraging us to read this compelling UN assessment showing the full picture of 
humanity's devastating impact on biodiversity and nature.

New Workshop: 10 ways to change the world Questionnaire!
London Eco Team has developed a "Change Mind and Heart Sustainble Relfection Questionnaire" to be used at exhibitons and programs. You find it here

 

Moringen Retreat Center in Germany
The new retreat centre at Moringen, Germany has focussed on being as environmentally friendly and as self sustaining as possible.  It has made remarkable progress and has been holding a yogic farming retreat this year. 
See the report on being environmentally friendly... (click here)
See the report on the yogic farming retreat (and great photos)... (click here)

 

The Dark Side of Tulum
Interesting videolink sent by Yolanda Moreno in Mexico for the Green team 

 

Plastic Free Yagya in UK!
A Green retreat was held in Lighthouse Retreat Centre Worthing where members of Brahma Kumaris from many parts of the UK (and the world) shared news and ideas in relation to protecting and nurturing the environment.  Some very creative ideas were shared.See the report... (click here)

 

Faith for Earth Synthesis Report
The UN Office in Nairobi has also made a “Faith for Earth Dialogue Synthesis Report “ (Download Here). The report highlights the key messages of the presentations that were made at the Interfaith Dialogue during UN Environment Assembly in March 2019. We are sure you will find the report useful. Please feel free to share it with your networks. Brahma Kumaris are mentioned on: 
page 16 - ex of Life style changes
page 28-29 under Energy, India One
page 33 Cross-cutting Initiatives


 
 
Tree Planting in Bali
The BK’s engaged in tree planting with great enthusiasm at Denpasar centre in Bali. See the report and photos... (click here)


Anglican & BK Press Release, 10. May 2019
Supporting UN climate change negotiations to be really successful, as soon as possible!A new partnership is offering reflection space for negotiators. Effective international agreements regarding climate change are now so vital. The human family cannot keep wasting opportunities to make progress. The next UN COP25 must be successful (it is to be held December 2 – 13, in Santiago de Chile). 
Representatives of the Anglican Communion and Brahma Kumaris met in London on May 9 and 10 to plan a special program to support negotiators and others involved in the UN COP25.  Before the crucial second week of negotiations we are offering a day entitled “Recharging amidst beauty: Experience friendly dialogue and personal reflection, nurtured by the Arts”. It will be located in a beautiful rural venue. The aim is to offer hard working delegates a transformative space of beauty and friendship. Our intention is to help our human togetherness as we recharge and prepare for the second vital week” said members of the organizing committee today. 
“We appreciate all the hard work of those who contribute to UN COP25. We want to offer everyone a relevant and transformative space, with all our love and gratitude”.
    
Peaceful Greetings
Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative

 

 

Green Newsletter - Happy Earth Day April 2019

22 April 2019

Dear Green Friends

Happy Earth Day to all BK Green servers and readers. We have two new BK Earth Days videos on the occasion.

Become the Change-maker - | Awakening | English

Our Change...can save the Earth | Awakening | Hindi with English text
We have started to work on a new website. It means some time will pass before you get the next newsletter. So, enjoy this rich edition. If anyone of you have sent news that hasn’t been shared yet, please resend it.

Green News Editorial team
Sonja, Arnold, Peter, Golo

 

Would you like to be part of a project group for Living the Change Initiative?

Together we will design BK’s contribution to this unique

Interfaith Initiative for our Earth. Please contact 
Valeriane at valeriane.bernard@ch.brahmakumaris.org 
to be part of an initial Skype call. 
Read more about Living the Change

 

Would you like to organize an EU Energy Day?

Energy Days take place throughout the months of May and June. Activities and events can be organized throughout the EU Member States. Read more about shaping Europe's energy future and the EU Sustainable Energy Week 

World Environment Day 5th June

Our UN day for the environment is coming up soon, you can take inspiration from their website. BK Rural Wing in India will celebrate in a big way this year. Last year over 300 centers participated

Spanish Translation of Plastic free Campaign and Travel Compensation


Seminar in the FAO of the United Nations 2019

The Brahma Kumaris attended this significant seminar of the Catholic church and various parts of the United Nations concerned with the environment.  The seminar focused particularly on the Amazon area and its indigenous people.  These people make a big contribution to the health of the world. Read more

Vegan Life Live Show 2019
Brahma Kumaris (UK) took part for the first time in the Vegan Life Live Show held at Alexandra Palace in North London under the banner: Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative.

The Active Peace Project Pilgrimage
On Thursday, 22 February 2019, Valériane joined the Peace Pledge Pilgrimage organised by the Active Peace Foundation in New Delhi, India. This project, initiated by the Universal Sufi Council, includes the explicit study and promotion of the universal values at the core of every major religious and faith tradition. This pilgrimage brought together a range of faith based orgnaizations who shared their perspectives for a better world and a better environment.

Green Day in Madhuban - March 2019
In Madhuban, the Green Day dedicated to the environment has now become an annual event for double foreigners.  It was a chance to look at the environment from a number of different perspectives and to develop planetary consciousness. The interview with Sister Jayanti and Golo called "Planetary Consciousness" can be heard on the Jewels Classes website with date 1st March.


Global Summit on Environment Concludes at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi
This report describes the last day of this important meeting and includes a series of photographs.

UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya 2019
From 11th-15th March 2019, the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly UNEA4 took place in Nairobi, Kenya.  The Brahma Kumaris in Kenya has been connected to UNEP since 1979 and we have been an accredited observer organization since 2014.  Brahma Kumaris has a very active team at the assembly delivering our message to all. See 3 picture reports. Golo partipicated with the video presentation Faith for a Sustainable Consumption and Innovative Technology.

Yogis Unite for Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary


Parvati.org, is a Canadian and American charity dedicated to a healthy world. They wrote to us with an invitation to  join Yogis Unite for Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS). They have launched the new Yogis Unite initiative to rally support for MAPS around the world with yogis who know the importance of our interconnection.

Need some more inspiration?

Will Young - What The World Needs Now Is Love (WWF Campaign)
From Wendy: really interesting short BBC film - completely optimistic - good talking point for any of our presentations - that we could do remarkable things in 12 years if our love was awakened. As we have always said people are more motivated by optimism than fear. This is a very good example. 

Newspaper article about brother Vikram from Mauritius
Dewendra Dookna : Environmentalist Activist Keen on Promoting Natural Methods 

 
 

Update on Plastic Free BK and CO2 Travel Compensation for BKs

30 March 2019

 

We are happy to inform you about two new green campaigns. Kindly have a look
and let us know your feedback

Plastic Free Brahma Kumaris
Plastic has become a major environmental and health hazard, 
as it ultimately breaks down into microplastic, which can be found 
all over the planet.  Meanwhile, the usage of plastic has spiralled
out of control - bags, bottles, straws, utensils, polystyrene cups, 
film, food packaging and more. Brahma Kumaris Environmental 
Initiative aims to reduce the usage of plastic in the BK centers. 
Let us help nature by being an example!

 

Start Now:

- Pack tolis plastic-free

- Avoid plastic in your fridge and household

- Avoid using plastic water bottles

- Buy plastic-free

- Share your experience via mail

 

All you need to know (click here)


CO2 Travel Compensation for BKs

All forms of travel are among the biggest emitters of CO2, 
especially air travel. With one international flight we exceed 
our recommended annual carbon footprint. In order to protect 
our planet, it is advisable to travel less – go by train and bus
instead of car and plane.

If travel or flying is required, you can now compensate for 
your contribution to CO2 emission by contributing 3-5% of 
your yearly travel budget towards a dedicated BK travel 
compensation fund. These funds will be used by Brahma 
Kumaris for solar and green projects in order to compensate 
for your travel emission.

Start now:

- Reduce your personal travel CO2 footprint

- Use environmentally friendly ways to travel

- Compensate for your contribution to CO2 emission by 
donating towards the compensation fund

- Share your experiences via mail.


All you need to know (click here)

 

For more info, see webpage: www.eco.brahmakumaris.org

 

 

2nd Report: UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya 11th-15th March

30 March 2019

Report 1 UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya 2019
 
 
From 11th-15th March 2019, the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly UNEA4 is taking place in
Nairobi, Kenya. The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) has overall 
responsibility for environmental problems among UN agencies and is a leading global environmental authority. It was founded in 1972 and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. 
The Brahma Kumaris in Kenya has been connected to UNEP since 1979 and we have been an accredited observer organization since 2014. In 2018 the BK’s were given permanent UN Ground passes and Pratibha Patel, Urvashi Vithal and Dorcas Alusala from Nairobi are regularly participating in meetings.

 

Preparation for UNEA4

The opening of the committee of permanent representatives took place 4th - 8th March. 

Pratibha and Urvashi participated and noticed that the representatives find it hard to maintain enthusiasm as the climate change is progressing fast.

Pratibha and Urvashi met with the Acting Director of UNEP Ms. Joyce Msuya.

 

Faith for Earth
Urvashi participated in the Faith for Earth preparation meeting. The engagement of the faith-based organizations have taken a leap under the leadership of Mr Iyad Abu Moghli. He has worked hard on bringing the religious and spiritual organizations into the UNEA. 131 faith leaders from 51 organizations are participating this year.

 

Click here to download the report.

 

 

First Report from UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi

20 March 2019

Dear Madhuban Rosary

Please find first report from UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya 11th-15th March 2019. 
The atmosphere is very much affected by the flight crash in Ethiopia. 
You can read how the faithbased community here responded and much more in this picture report: 

http://environment.brahmakumaris.org/images/UNEP/UNEA4_report_1.pdf

Best of all

UNEA4 team - Sister Pratibha, Urvashi, Sonja, Hilal, Andrew, Jignesh

 

Green Day in Madhuban on 1st March

3 March 2019

It was a chance to look at the environment from a number of different perspectives and to develop planetary consciousness.

Green Day in Madhuban - 1st March 2019 Gyan Sarovar


In Madhuban, the Green Day dedicated to the environment has now become an annual event for double foreigners.
Many activities took place to refine our relationship with Mother Earth. The day began with a silent walk guided by David.

From 9 - 11am, the participants could choose between four green conversations:

1. Serving the Elements with Luciana from Brazil.

2. Yoga and the creation of the golden age with Golo.

3. Presentation on Yogic farming with Raju Bhai and Sumanth from the Rural Wing

4. Nature, Art and Healing – A Creative Workshop with Sonja.

In the afternoon Sister Jayanti and Golo were interviewed by Sonja on Planetary Consciousness and the creation of the Golden Age. You can listen to or view the interview on http://jewels.brahmakumaris.org/

The interview was about Planetary Consciousness - what is it exactly? Is it just something extra we need to learn, or can we just practice soul consciousness and that’s it?
Which attitude or power would you advise BK’s to practice for a more
sustainable living?

What is the main blockage or resistance in sustainable living for BK’s?

Are we caught up in the Confluence Age and service too much? A lot of capacity is used to administer a confluence-aged institution and life.
What role does the golden age play in your spiritual effort?
 
Regarding the creation of golden age – is it enough to be purified by Baba and study our spiritual knowledge, or should one actively create the golden age? What exactly do you do on this topic?
What role does visualization play? Do you do it and how?


The Green Day ended with a great outdoor Peace Concert and Meditation in Dadi Janki Park. David, Ken, Alex and others played free style for an audience of approx 500 in the sunset.

Please click here to download the report. 

 

 

Happy New Year and Green News

2 January 2019

Happy Green Angel Year to Green Servers around the globe

Everyone benefits from peaceful and pure vibrations, including Mother Earth. 


So we wish you a peaceful and joyful New Year. 
This beautiful Xmas card of a deer was sent by Wendy last year. 

 

Global event ‘7 Days of Rest and Reflection’ 1-7 January 2019
Here is some news. The coming week of 1st-7th January has been dedicated to rest and reflection by a group of individuals. You can read more here. Most welcome to join.

 

COP24: 
We hope that you got all the news via our various media channels from 
the climate change conference COP24 in Poland. The BK participation in the conference 
and the support from the Polish family was indeed a great success. THANKS to all. 

 

You can read our 10 reports (full of images) here.

 

And yes, the news of climate change is very serious and urgent. Sir Attenborough's message
went global; you can read more about it in report 2

 

All report in POLISH, link

 

Some reports also got translated to SPANISH, thanks!, Link 

 

BioCOP14:  

In November there was a UN Conference on Biodiversity COP14 held in Sharm-El-Sheick. 

A small but dedicated team served under the umbrella of Care and Compassion for Nature. 

 

You can see picture reports here:

 

Youth and Climate Change

See NEW report from the climate youth conference in Polen, COY14

Br Shantanu from Shantivan participated in the climate change conference for youth in India, see news here;

 

All over the world people are becoming aware and seeing the fast decline in the state of the climate. 
They are looking for ways to deal with this situation. They are taking initiatives at either a small scale or at a large scale. In any case they need support for coping with their fears and anxieties. 


Let’s support them to strengthen inner peace and power, and be a lighthouse in a world filled with uncertainty.

 

Happy New Year from all to all

 

News editors 
Golo, Peter, Arnold, Sonja

 

Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative
www.environment.brahmakumaris.org

 

Picture: Polish BK support team for COP (incl. servers from Kaliningrad)

 

finally for the new year: