Faiths from the Archipelago

Abstract

This paper explores the responses of faith-based movements in Indonesia to globalized environmental issues, including climate change. As a plural nation with six official religions, the leaders of the major recognized religions in Indonesia (i.e., Islam, Protestant and Roman Catholic Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confusianism) all offered statements in 2007 at COP 13, the international forum in response to the environmental challange and climate change in Bali. Each called for religious adherents to act in order to contribute to halting the problem of climate change. Faith is seen to be a key factor in motivating people to change their behavior towards the environment. The slogan, “Think globally, act locally,” is at the heart of this commitment, in hopes that environmental challenges including climate change, become a common issue among all the religions in Indonesia, and so that Indonesian responses may be collaborative and cooperative. This paper will document and analyze the development of such faith-based action with respect to environmental challenges in Indonesia, in light of global conditions.