December 2, 2009
 

Mr. Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
Washington D.C

Mr. President!

We would like to congratulate you on being selected as the Noble Peace Prize winner of 2009. We are optimistic that you and your administration will achieve remarkable results keeping the current pace of your leadership.

We have been closely following your great achievements since the 2008 election in your country which we hope would be repeated in fighting climate change. We are sending this appeal on behalf of the faithful of the religions in Ethiopia and ourselves.

The Holy Scriptures order us to preserve the universe within which humanity dwells. Creation was made for humanity; and it was made beautiful, fruitful, clean, healthy, etc, serving and supporting all creatures.

We human beings often take for granted the very source of our well-being. Our natural environment provides us with the basics of survival - the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and the fuel we use, etc. If we take care of the earth according to the commandments of God, the earth will take care of us.

Today, we are faced with grave situations of environmental degrada­tion. Damage to the environment bears consequences not only for nature but also for humanity endangering human life.

This calls us for sensitization of our people with regard to our obligation to contribute as much as pos­sible to preserve the natural environment.

Climate change is a problem which af­fects every citizen and the whole world. The goal of sustainable development which is now integrated into the objec­tives of many countries, calls for the wider range of tools for sound environmen­tal protection and climate change policy. This time around, every human being in the world is feeling the pain of envi­ronmental deterioration. It is also a fact that climate change issues are making headlines in most international media.

Mr. President!

It is our firm belief that the US has been at the forefront for years in dealing with various international concerns. We believe a strong position and full pledge on sound climate change policy is 'moral and ethical impera­tive' to ensure a preserved environment.

It is also our firm belief that climate change is a justice issue: and, as such, a religious and moral issue. Understanding this fact, various communities and organization operating in Ethiopia are strongly praying and working so that the Copenhagen Climate talks would come up with fruitful decisions.