The Loss and Damage Fund established at COP27 was a fund, given and not loaned, to provide financial assistance to those nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change. While this is undeniably a moral imperative, there are still, post COP28, many aspects that need to be formulated, one of which is that the fund should in no way increase the burden of debt of developing countries or increase the dependency of poorer nations on richer nations.
If we think of climate justice and a just transition, we need to make sure that all basic needs are met, and this does not mean just food and shelter but also the well-being of those concerned. This involves education, healthcare, and the giving of hope. In our dialogue of faith at COP28, organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee, the question was asked: how do you compensate a community that has lost hope? There are so many non-economic factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to ensure the preservation of communities and cultures. Crucially it also means that richer nations adopt a simpler lifestyle.
Until our decisions and actions are based on understanding of the sacredness of all human life, there can never be true justice. Where one group of people are valued more than another group, there cannot be justice. Where one section of humanity seeks to dominate another section of humanity, there cannot be justice. While there is gender inequality, there cannot be justice.
For true justice, we need spiritual vision that takes us beyond the labels we attach to our identity and takes us back to our original state of being. Our original state of being is that we are souls, we belong to one greater Divine Being. Our original nature is peace, love and truth. As souls we inhabit our physical form for a short while, but our eternal identity is deeper, more meaningful and constant. We are beings of peace. Without that awareness we cease to live as spiritual beings. We lose all love for the self and greed and arrogance become our props to survive. We dominate and exploit our planet and fail to care for and respect other human beings.
Our world needs healing, and true healing is possible through love. Love is the greatest transformative power in the universe. Love is the greatest healing power in the universe. The inherent love within us all is empowered by our connection with the Divine, the source of love, the source of peace. The reason for war and exploitation is a lack of love. We need God’s love and the love of the soul itself to heal our world.
Maureen Goodman is Programme Director for the Brahma Kumaris UK, and BK NGO representative to the United Nations in Vienna.