THE Pacific Conference of Churches has called on Australia to take heed the realities of climate change and the call for respect of the right of the indigenous people of Australia.
PCC general secretary Reverend James Bhagwan said it was a big challenge to discuss climate change and its sad realities with the Prime Minister of Australia during the Pacific Leaders Forum in Tuvalu last year.
“We had met with Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison to discuss the issue and t had been a challenge but we continue to highlight the issue,” said Rev Bhagwan.
“In an opinion issue on the Australian herald we reminded the Australian Mr Morrison he needed to do more because the churches were very serious about it and have been raising this issue.
“There is a need of change in the type of development to focus it on surviving or caring for the environment.”
Rev Bhagwan said the care of the environment was deeply rooted in the indigenous cultures of natives which needed to be brought to the fore in order to address the issues of climate change.
He was speaking during the vigil organised by PCC at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Suva.
The prayer vigil was held for a moment of prayer and reflection for the victims of the bushfire tragedy and the lives that were destroyed during the fire.
