When the lights switched off at 8.30pm 27th March at Sydney’s Observatory Hill for Earth Hour 2010, solidarity was forged with many others across the globe for creating a more sustainable future. ‘A Vigil of Light and Hope’ was the theme for this evening of prayer, meditation, poetry and dance presented by an array of representatives from Sydney’s multi-faith community.
The event was organised by Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) at one of Sydney’s most spectacular vantage points of the bridge and harbour. Guests arriving to a setting sun were treated to the melodic sounds of Dave Carr and Mahesh Radhakrishnan playing banjo and guitar respectively. This was followed by Jennifer White gracefully performing a devotional Indian dance in the Bharata Natyam tradition. Patricia Corowa, of Pacific Calling Partnership, spoke passionately about Christian values addressing climate change and the impacts on indigenous people.
Then Sadiq Ansari , from Affinity Intercultural Foundation, sang several passages of the Koran relating to the environment and faith. At 8.30pm to the signal of the Harbour Bridge lights switching off, the Baha’i Choir treated guests with a variety of soulful melodies and songs to usher in Earth Hour ‘lights off’. Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins then performed a Jewish candle lighting ceremony with a spectacular seven wicked candle which then initiated the vigil of lighting hand-held candles for over 100 people present.
In the calm that followed Wendy Wang, from the Tzu Chi Foundation, invited everyone to join her in a Buddhist mediation she spoke for the next 10 minutes. Deepa Gupta, from Australian Youth Climate Coalition, then profoundly moved all present by speaking a poem she wrote after attending the Copenhagen Summit expressing both disillusion and hope. The Interplay Australia Team of Trish Watts, Alison Lee and Colin Campbell brought the night to a ceremonial conclusion with a combination of voice percussion, movement and song reflecting the struggles and triumphs of living harmoniously on the planet. Aboriginal Australian Aunty Jenny Munro provided the final words for all to ponder before the conclusion of Earth Hour 2010.
Sister Geraldine Kearney of the Good Samaritan Sisters remarked afterwards “I came away refreshed and sustained by the wonderful prayerfulness and solidarity”. The evening provided an opportunity to embrace the realities of what is happening to the environment through the grace and wisdom found in our religious traditions. We are blessed we can do this so easily as a community in Australia.
ARRCC wishes to thank Austage for the provision of sound equipment for the Vigil, Paul Heyward for photographing the event and Sydney City Council for providing the wonderful venue of Observatory.
Greg O'Donnell, Faith Climate Project Officer, The Climate Institute