I agree that religious organizations have a duty to step up to the plate on ecological issues, but of course when it comes to China there is a major difficulty, which is that religion is often viewed as a problem or a threat to be contained rather than as a source of something positive. This is not just a modern Chinese view, it is part of a general outlook on religion that emerged with the modern secular state.

While I’m generally in favour of the modern secular state rather than, say, Islamic or Buddhist theocracies, I don’t think it’s necessary to throw the baby out with the bathwater. There is an important case to be made for modest religion having a modest role in progressive politics.

It’s not that there is an absence of ecological consideration among religious leaders, but it is submerged among the minutiae and ritual that more often than not constitute religious practice.

When all religions get to their root, sanctity for life on earth, then we can really get to work in this mode. For now, consultations can prepare the way. How many religious organizations will be represented at COP15, the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. A few, but not enough. There should be more. Religious organizations have to step up and be counted, just as do nations.