“I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all” - Pope Francis, Laudato Si.
On the 18th of June 2015, Pope Francis released the first ever encyclical on the environment entitled ‘Laudato Si’ - On the Care of our Common Home’ (http://bit.ly/1GuiptI). In it, Pope Francis calls for a shift in attitudes regarding consumption and growth, and a widespread global cooperation to protect the earth against environmental harm.
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis declares that “humanity is called to recognise the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption…”. Indeed, the current economy of endless growth in our society continues to produce vast environmental and social implications. As unsustainable consumption patterns rise, so too does the strain on our natural resources, biodiversity, oceans, air and food. Pope Francis called for us to unite science and religion on environmental issues by strengthening interfaith dialogue. This is what the Faith Ecology Network (FEN) is all about. It is a multi-faith network of people committed to caring for the earth. 
In recent discussions, the Sydney FEN planning team felt that their different faith traditions had something good to say about alternatives to the ‘growth economy’. Consequently, this year’s public forum will connect the topic of endless growth on a finite planet with multifaith responses.
The forum being organised by FEN is entitled ‘Healthy Earth, Endless Growth - Are they compatible?’. The event will feature a keynote speech from environmental scientist and author Dr. Haydn Washington on the topic of the “growth economy”, followed by responses from the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith traditions. The forum is open to people of all faiths to engage in the dialogue between religion and science on this important issue. We hope that FEN members in other places will be inspired to hold such an event in the future.
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis says “The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change”. Once we begin our journey of ecological conversion we can truly care for this earth, our common home.
You can view the video of the Faith Ecology Network’s response to Pope Francis’ encyclical here: http://bit.ly/1JfBl3a
The Faith Ecology Network (FEN) is holding a multi-faith forum entitled ‘Healthy Earth, Endless Growth - Are they compatible?’ on Thursday 23 July at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts. It will feature faith responses to the growth economy and a keynote speech by Dr. Haydn Washington from the Institute of Environmental Studies, UNSW. For more information please visit http://faithecology.net.au/latest-news/