As we approach the historic “Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels” conference in Santa Marta, Colombia (April 24-29)—co-hosted by the Dutch and Colombian governments—faith and activist groups in the Netherlands are mobilizing to ensure leadership matches the urgency of the climate crisis.
A broad interfaith coalition, including Christian Climate Action and the Laudato Si’ Alliance, has called on Minister Van Veldhoven to take a pioneering role in Colombia, supported by the global Faiths for a Fossil Free Future petition. Simultaneously, grassroots pressure continues at home; on April 25, Extinction Rebellion and Debt for Climate will blockade the Utrecht ring road to protest the billions in fossil subsidies that undermine global justice. Amidst this peaceful disruption, members of Christian Climate Action are expected to be present, gathering slightly apart from the main demonstration to hold a dedicated prayer meeting.
Against this backdrop of political advocacy and civil disobedience, the spiritual heart of the movement remains strong. Below, Laudato Si’ Animator Maïta van der Mark shares her testimony on the deep connection between these Dutch initiatives and the upcoming gathering in Santa Marta.
Connected and supported: a testimony from the Netherlands
During the long train journey from the east of the Netherlands to the Hague last Tuesday, I reflected on what I, as a Laudato Si’ Animator—as someone from a faith community— could contribute to the national kick-off for the international ‘Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels’ conference. This will take place between April 24 and 29 in Santa Marta, Colombia and is hosted in a joint effort between the Dutch and Colombian governments. Of which I’m very proud as a Dutch person. (transitionawayconference.com)
Our global Laudato Si’ movement actively supports this conference because, by phasing out the use of fossil fuels, we listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Creation is a gift to us from God and not a commodity. This is stated straightforwardly in the theological reflection on why this conference is important for Catholics. (laudatosimovement.org/fft/).
I asked the Colombian LS animator Sulman Hincapíe Rojas during a video call how we could support them being more than 8000 kilometers apart. At this moment, she is busy organizing an interreligious delegation that will be present at the conference with prayer and testimonies. With a few minutes of our attention by praying the ‘Prayer for the Earth’, we can certainly contribute. Sulman writes to me: “Thank you for your much-needed prayers!”
Kumi Naidoo, one of the speakers in The Hague and chair of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, touched me the most. He called upon us, especially in these crucial times, to draw upon ‘our humanity, creativity, and courage’ to continue working towards reducing the use of fossil fuels. Together with the UN Rapporteur on Climate Action and Human Rights, Elisa Morgera, who was present, he emphasized that alongside the complex and protracted multilateral conferences, all local and personal actions for climate action and climate justice are very important. His eyes lit up when we briefly discussed ‘Laudato Si’’.
And at that moment, amidst the hustle and bustle of the conference, I felt connected to and supported by the hopeful determination of all those people worldwide in the Laudato Si’ movement, getting up each day to do their bit nearby notwithstanding the circumstances. It was very late when I arrived back home, but with new energy and inspiration.
— Maïta van der Mark, LSA from the Netherlandsç
