Acting in Accordance with the Green Rule this World Environment Day

5 June 2020
Mango Trees - Sister Nivedita Peace CC and Palki Peace CC

URI members plant mango trees in India (pre-pandemic)

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Greetings of peace, light and blessing.

As you know today is the World Environment Day and it has been celebrated since 1974 as a day to create awareness on the preservation of the environment and to take practical action. The theme of 2020 is biodiversity.

As it is stated, “The foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable all come from nature.” Therefore, we need to pay due attention to Mother Earth.

One practical and simple action which we can do to preserve the envelopment, as individual, group and citizens of the world is to act based on the Green Rule, which says, “DO UNTO THE EARTH AS YOU WOULD HAVE IT DO UNTO YOU.”  Inspired by the Golden Rule, the Green Rule draws from different religions and faith traditions holy scriptures to advocate environmental protection.

We need to continue working in close partnership with UNEP - Faith For Earth & Interfaith Rainforest Initiative and many other relevant organizations as a team in addressing the issue of climate change, the protection of the environment and all forms of life, as highlighted on the Sustainable Development Goals. 

It is indeed very high time to listen to the call of Mother Earth and wake up and take practical action.

Let us work together in promoting the Green Rule.

Happy Environment Day!

May Peace, Compassion, Green Rule and Unity in Diversity, Justice and Equality Prevail on Earth.

In peace and gratitude, 

Amb. Mussie Hailu
Director of Global Partnership & Representative at the UN and 
African Union and Regional Director for Africa
United Religions Initiative