Religious leaders back Pope’s call for climate change action

Representatives of five different religious faiths in Australia have backed calls from Pope Francis for urgent action on climate change. In an encyclical released last week, the pontiff has called for fresh policies to reduce fossil fuels and to develop renewable energy. The Australian religious leaders have now taken that same message to Parliament House in Canberra, calling on the federal government to take stronger action to curb carbon emissions…

Is God to blame for natural disasters?

Before continuing, let me reaffirm that talking philosophy and theology is a total non-priority when it comes to helping earthquake victims. Debating about the existence or non-existence of God is only helpful if the urgent business of tending to those with lost loved ones or ruined homes is already performed. Certainly, folks like me are of the view that belief in a loving divine being is invaluable in coping with suffering; arguing about the reality of such a being, though, isn’t. My point is, if we’re going to get heated up over religious debates, let it never be at the expense of aiding the survivors of natural disasters…

Pacific Islands Prepare for a More Disaster Resilient Future

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved US$32.29 million in International Development Association (IDA) grants and credits to support the Pacific Resilience Program – a series of projects to strengthen Pacific Island countries’ resilience to natural disasters. The Pacific Resilience Program will initially provide assistance to Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands and Vanuatu, as well as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat…