CSJPs represented at UN Biodiversity Conference

October 22, 2024

This week the international community is gathering in Columbia for the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biodiversity. Blair Nelsen, Executive Director of Waterspirit is in attendance as our CSJP UN-NGO Representative, in collaboration with the Faiths for Biodiversity Coalition.

Blair shares: The Faiths for Biodiversity Coalition seeks to advocate for "ambitious biodiversity commitments that protect human and environmental rights, because the community of life is sacred. As I once heard Ponca nation representative Casey Camp Horinek share, Imagine what would change if we replaced ‘natural resources’ with ‘sources of life’.”

In addition to being present at the conference, Blair is helping to coordinate and lead three side events:

• A Multifaith Mindful Moment on 10/22. During this half hour prayer slot in the Faith Hub, Blair will share a few water prayers from Waterspirit and share/distribute the CSJP Election Prayer.

• A Faith Hub presentation called “Mining, Water, and Biodiversity: Protection and Accountability for the Community of Life” on 10/24. This event is co-sponsored by the NGO Mining Working Group, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Passionists International, and the Temple of Understanding.

• An Experimental Climate Cafe on 10/29.

You can read more about the conference in this article from the National Catholic Reporter, which includes a quote from Blair: "We can't have peace with each other without having peace with the Earth. We can't have flourishing communities of life without harmonious relationships with the community of life and with the planet."

Blair Nelsen