The theme of the 2014 RVA Peace Festival, held on September 13, was “Faith and the Environment.” In spite of a rainy day, attendees braved the weather to hear a panel presentation on faith responses to climate change. The panelists, representing Islam, Hinduism and Christianity, were united in their views that humanity has a spiritual responsibility to be good stewards of this planet and that we have a moral obligation to take positive steps to address the effects of climate change.

The panelists were, left to right, Anjum Ali, Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; Dr. Sid Kere, retired nuclear physicist from Dominion Virginia Power; and Rev. Richard Cizik, President of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good. The moderator was Archie Abaire, a member of the Baha’i Faith.

Richard Cizik and Archie Abaire serve on the steering committee of Virginia Interfaith Power & Light.

Many thanks to the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond for sponsoring the Peace Festival, and to St. Steven’s Episcopal Church for providing the venue.