UN
Dispatch: November 6, 2008
Dispatch: November 6, 2008
Taoism—"The
Way" for Climate Action in
China?
Way" for Climate Action in
China?
By
Olav Kjorven*
Olav Kjorven*
* Olav
Kjorven is Assistant Secretary General and Director of
Development Policy at the UN Development
Program
Kjorven is Assistant Secretary General and Director of
Development Policy at the UN Development
Program
Something
unprecedented happened in China in late October. It may
not have been as glitzy spectacular as the Olympics in
Beijing over the summer. It did not attract heads of
state or world celebrities. But it possibly leave a more
lasting imprint on the future of China and indeed the
world.
unprecedented happened in China in late October. It may
not have been as glitzy spectacular as the Olympics in
Beijing over the summer. It did not attract heads of
state or world celebrities. But it possibly leave a more
lasting imprint on the future of China and indeed the
world.
Taoist
masters from all over China gathered near the ancient
capital of Nanjing to agree on a seven-year plan for
climate change action. Anybody with minimal knowledge of
China will immediately understand that this is more than
a curiosity.
masters from all over China gathered near the ancient
capital of Nanjing to agree on a seven-year plan for
climate change action. Anybody with minimal knowledge of
China will immediately understand that this is more than
a curiosity.
But the
fact that it was the ancient, homegrown Taoist tradition
that gathered their most revered teachers to discuss
what climate change means for them and their country is
more than exotic, whether one looks at it from a
religious, an environmental, or a political
perspective.
fact that it was the ancient, homegrown Taoist tradition
that gathered their most revered teachers to discuss
what climate change means for them and their country is
more than exotic, whether one looks at it from a
religious, an environmental, or a political
perspective.
But how can
a gathering of Taoists be potentially transformative in
a country like China? This is, after all, a country
where relentless, carbon-fueled economic expansion and
consumerism seem akin to doctrine and are deeply
embedded into the very fabric of society. (In this
respect Western societies are not that different, just a
bit further along the same path.) Wouldn't you have to
be something of a devout Taoist yourself, or a wildly
optimistic and credulous climate warrior in order to
believe that such a meeting could amount to
much?
a gathering of Taoists be potentially transformative in
a country like China? This is, after all, a country
where relentless, carbon-fueled economic expansion and
consumerism seem akin to doctrine and are deeply
embedded into the very fabric of society. (In this
respect Western societies are not that different, just a
bit further along the same path.) Wouldn't you have to
be something of a devout Taoist yourself, or a wildly
optimistic and credulous climate warrior in order to
believe that such a meeting could amount to
much?
Possibly,
but I am willing to accept the risk. Let me try to
explain: First, the Chinese Taoists have been around for
thousands of years. They have seen countless dynasties
come, and go. But the Tao (which translates as "the
Way") has outlasted them all, proving its resilience and
strength. Taoist values and beliefs continue to hold
enormous sway in Chinese society.
but I am willing to accept the risk. Let me try to
explain: First, the Chinese Taoists have been around for
thousands of years. They have seen countless dynasties
come, and go. But the Tao (which translates as "the
Way") has outlasted them all, proving its resilience and
strength. Taoist values and beliefs continue to hold
enormous sway in Chinese society.
Secondly,
these values and beliefs are now welcomed back into the
broader discourse of society, on matters such as
economic, social, and environmental policy. Taoism is no
longer confined to the personal and family levels, and
to festivals and rituals. Taoist temples and their
masters are increasingly addressing politicians and
business leaders at all levels about environmental and
other challenges. This week's gathering was actively
attended by government officials. In their statements,
they asked the Taoists for help in building a more
environmentally harmonious and sustainable China. They
had come to realize that in order to solve current
challenges and secure a sustainable future, they indeed
needed to mobilize all of society. Today, this includes
religion, and not just the Taoists.
these values and beliefs are now welcomed back into the
broader discourse of society, on matters such as
economic, social, and environmental policy. Taoism is no
longer confined to the personal and family levels, and
to festivals and rituals. Taoist temples and their
masters are increasingly addressing politicians and
business leaders at all levels about environmental and
other challenges. This week's gathering was actively
attended by government officials. In their statements,
they asked the Taoists for help in building a more
environmentally harmonious and sustainable China. They
had come to realize that in order to solve current
challenges and secure a sustainable future, they indeed
needed to mobilize all of society. Today, this includes
religion, and not just the Taoists.
Third, and
what makes this doubly interesting, Taoism probably has
more on offer to the environmental cause in today's
China than any other major, organized religion. This is
a strong statement, but anyone who has read key Taoist
masters such as Lao Tzu knows to what extent this faith
tradition emphasizes environmental stewardship as a
sacred duty, something we simply must do in order to
preserve our future and the balance of the entire world.
Take climate change. The whole problem and challenge can
be beautifully captured and explained through the
concepts of Yin and Yang: The carbon balance between
earth and sky is off kilter. This causes instability and
disasters. It is truly significant that the current
masters of Taoism in China have started to communicate
precisely through this ancient yet new
vocabulary.
what makes this doubly interesting, Taoism probably has
more on offer to the environmental cause in today's
China than any other major, organized religion. This is
a strong statement, but anyone who has read key Taoist
masters such as Lao Tzu knows to what extent this faith
tradition emphasizes environmental stewardship as a
sacred duty, something we simply must do in order to
preserve our future and the balance of the entire world.
Take climate change. The whole problem and challenge can
be beautifully captured and explained through the
concepts of Yin and Yang: The carbon balance between
earth and sky is off kilter. This causes instability and
disasters. It is truly significant that the current
masters of Taoism in China have started to communicate
precisely through this ancient yet new
vocabulary.
Fourth, the
Taoists are walking the walk. Over the last year or so
they have installed solar panels on half of their
thousands of temples around China and the job will be
completed soon for all their sacred places. They are
providing comprehensive guidance on all aspects of
environmental and climate stewardship: water and land
management, protection of biological diversity, energy
efficiency of buildings, educational curricula, moral
teachings, outreach through media and advocacy to
business, etc. They will use their Seven-Year Plan to
make a holistic and systematic contribution to climate
responsibility and environmental stewardship in China.
The perspective goes beyond seven years. The ambition is
to change the course for generations to come. Because
the Taoists plan to be around for quite a while longer,
continuing their sacred cosmic dance that transcends
time and space.
Taoists are walking the walk. Over the last year or so
they have installed solar panels on half of their
thousands of temples around China and the job will be
completed soon for all their sacred places. They are
providing comprehensive guidance on all aspects of
environmental and climate stewardship: water and land
management, protection of biological diversity, energy
efficiency of buildings, educational curricula, moral
teachings, outreach through media and advocacy to
business, etc. They will use their Seven-Year Plan to
make a holistic and systematic contribution to climate
responsibility and environmental stewardship in China.
The perspective goes beyond seven years. The ambition is
to change the course for generations to come. Because
the Taoists plan to be around for quite a while longer,
continuing their sacred cosmic dance that transcends
time and space.
Could this
be the kind of stuff that in the end will tip the scales
in favor of decisive climate action in China and beyond?
Well, even if you're half-way convinced by the four
points above, you'd probably still think that's a tall
order to place on the Taoists—and I would agree. The
good news, however, is that similar things are now
happening in all the 11 major religions in our world
today. They are all coming up with multi-year plans for
climate action, spanning all dimensions of who they are
and what they do. They are greening their management of
land, buildings, and financial investments. They are
articulating care for creation more strongly and clearly
in their teaching and preaching. They are strengthening
their climate advocacy towards society at large, but
grounded in their own spiritual and moral traditions. By
November next year, a few weeks before the crucial
Copenhagen climate meeting takes place, these faiths
will all present to the world their plans and
commitments.
be the kind of stuff that in the end will tip the scales
in favor of decisive climate action in China and beyond?
Well, even if you're half-way convinced by the four
points above, you'd probably still think that's a tall
order to place on the Taoists—and I would agree. The
good news, however, is that similar things are now
happening in all the 11 major religions in our world
today. They are all coming up with multi-year plans for
climate action, spanning all dimensions of who they are
and what they do. They are greening their management of
land, buildings, and financial investments. They are
articulating care for creation more strongly and clearly
in their teaching and preaching. They are strengthening
their climate advocacy towards society at large, but
grounded in their own spiritual and moral traditions. By
November next year, a few weeks before the crucial
Copenhagen climate meeting takes place, these faiths
will all present to the world their plans and
commitments.
This is no
small contribution—these 11 faiths represent in some way
or another roughly 80-85 percent of humanity. Perhaps
that's enough to bring us to a global, political tipping
point. In the end, it may just be what is needed to
convince even the most stubborn and reluctant of policy
makers that the time to secure humanity's future is
now.
small contribution—these 11 faiths represent in some way
or another roughly 80-85 percent of humanity. Perhaps
that's enough to bring us to a global, political tipping
point. In the end, it may just be what is needed to
convince even the most stubborn and reluctant of policy
makers that the time to secure humanity's future is
now.
* Olav
Kjorven is Assistant Secretary General and Director of
Development Policy at the UN Development
Program
Kjorven is Assistant Secretary General and Director of
Development Policy at the UN Development
Program