Hindus back Catholic Bishops on Climate Change policy protecting world's poor

Nevada (US), Feb 19 (ANI): Hindus have commended the Global Climate Change policy statement of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) which says, "Policies addressing global climate change should enhance rather than diminish the economic situation of people in poverty".

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that world's poor were most vulnerable to the environmental problems resulting from climate change. Senseless uses of natural resources, extravagance, greed, etc., were some of the major causes of this ecological crisis.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that affluent countries of the world should do more for environment in view of the global ecological crisis. Richer nations should lead the way and show responsibility by cutting greenhouse gases and atmospheric ozone concentrations and tackling global warming.

Rajan Zed also praised USCCB's stand: The consequences of climate change will be borne by the world's most vulnerable people and inaction will only worsen their suffering. Policies should help vulnerable populations here and abroad adapt to climate impacts and actively participate in these efforts. Urgent action that both addresses the growing impact of climate change and acts to protect the poor and vulnerable is needed.

Zed further said that religions should also come forward to do their share of tackling global warming and persuading others on this issue. "We as leaders of various religions of the world should fulfill our obligations by voicing the environmental issues. Religions should not stay silent spectators to threatening ecological crisis faced by humanity", Zed stressed and urged all world religious leaders, religions and denominations to openly bless environmental causes and develop a global partnership on this subject.

Rajan Zed pointed out that ancient Hindu scriptures, especially Atharva-Veda, were highly respectful of mother nature.

Washington DC headquartered USCCB is "an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States".

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York is the President. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.(ANI)