Factors that Underscore the Strength of Religious Organisations to Boost the Fight Against Climate Change

Abdul-Mumin Abdulai

doi:10.37284/ajccrs.1.1.961

Abdul-Mumin Abdulai, PhD University for Development Studies

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.1.1.961

Keywords: Carbon Neutrality, World Religions, Ecological Principles, Policy Reforms, Climate Change, Positive Behaviours

Share Article:

Abstract

Climate change or global warming is rapidly threatening human survival, which makes addressing climate change a moral issue. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautions that there are currently more frequent, deadly, and destructive climate-related natural disasters that are causing more human and financial losses. The UN Secretary-General has attributed this scenario to negative human behaviour and completely inadequate efforts by the international community to reverse the current trend of carbon emissions. Using largely secondary data, this study has explored factors that underscore the relevance or power of world religious organisations to influence public policy reforms and boost positive behaviour for a successful transition to carbon neutrality by 2050. These factors include (1) a high number of their followers; (2) ecological principles of the world religions; (3) galvanising power, penetrating and holistic analysis of events, (4) the ability to educate and create awareness on significant issues like the need to drastically cut carbon emission (i.e., climate change sensitive lifestyles or responsible consumption of natural resources), and (5) leverage the 4 factors mentioned above to mobilise financial resources to support activities(e.g., subsidies) toward carbon neutrality, especially in the poor developing countries; thereby influencing effective public policy reforms and political will toward climate change action. In conclusion, this study strongly calls for the active engagement of world religious organisations (as key stakeholders) to work seriously for a successful transition to carbon neutrality by 2050

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdulai, A. M. (2012). Building social capital for development: the role of religious values and virtues. Fountain Magazine, 88.

Anderson, R. (2004). Intuitive inquiry: An epistemology of the heart for scientific inquiry. The Humanistic Psychology. 32 (4),307-341.

Albers, H. J., Robinson, E. J. Z. (2013). Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 2, 78-85.

Ajil, M. (2009, August 30). To reduce climate change, reduce consumption. Inside Climate News. Retrieved November 10, 2021, fromhttp://insideclimatenews.org/news/20090830/reduce-climate-change-reduce-consumption?page=2 .

Busch, C., De Maret, P.S., Flynn, T., Kellum, R., Le, S., Meyers, M., Saunders, B., White, R., Palmquist, M. (2012). Content analysis. Colorado State University. Retrieved October 30 2021, from http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=61.

Corbera, E., Schroeder, H. (2011). Governing and implementing REED+. Environmental Science and Policy, 14, 89-99.

Ferguson, S. D. (2010). Exploring the spirituality of the world religions: The quest for personal, spiritual and social transformation. London, New York: Continuum International Publishing Group.

Finucane, M. L. (2009). Why science alone won’t solve the climate crisis: managing climate risks in the Pacific. The Asia-Pacific issues series, 89, August.

Grazer, E. W. (2011). Challenges facing the religious community in addressing global climate change. CISSM working paper. Maryland: Center for International & Security Studies.

Harper, J. (2012, December 23). 84% of the world population has faith; a third are Christian. The Washington Times. Retrieved August 12, 2021, fromhttp://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/dec/23/84-percent-world-population-has-faith-third-are-ch/#ixzz2ug1xrf4j.

Hedenus, F., Wirsenius, S. & Johansson,D.J.A. (2014).The importance of reduced meat and dairy consumption for meeting stringent climate change targets.Climatic Change,124 (1-2), 79-91.Doi: 10.1007/s10584-014-1104-5.

Krznaric, R. (2007). For God’s sake do something! How religions can find unexpected unity around climate change. Occasional paper. New York: UNDP.

Lin, A.C. (2009). Evangelising climate change. N.Y.U. Environmental Law Journal, 17, 1135- 1193.

Mustelin, J., Kuruppu, N., Matus, K. A., Daron, J., de Bruin, K. & Guerra, N.A. (2013). Climate adaptation research for the next generation. Climate and Development, 5(3),189–193.

Nagle, J.C. (2008). The Evangelical debate over climate change. Scholarly Works. 433, 57-85. July 22, 2021, from Retrieved http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/law_faculty_scholarship/43.

Nelson, M.P. &Vucetich, J.A. (2012). Sustainability science: ethical foundations and emerging challenges. Nature Education Knowledge, 3(10),12.

Pfaff, A., Amacher, G.S., Sills, E. O., Coren, M.J., Streck, C. & Lawlor, K. (2013). Deforestation and forest degradation: concerns, causes, policies, and their impacts.Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 2,144–149.

Religions for Peace. (2011). Action and Advocacy for Climate Change: A Religious Guide for Religious Communities. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from http://www.religionsforpeace.org.

Sullivan, E. L. (2003). Series preface. In RC Foltz, FM Denny, B Azizan (Eds). Islam and Ecology. A Bestowed Trust.Massachusetts, Cambridge:Harvard University Press.

Svoboda, M. (2012). Skeptical uses of ‘religion’ in debate on climate change. Yale climate connections or formerly the Yale forum on climate change & the media. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2012/08/skeptical-uses-of-religion-in-debate-on climate-change/.

Tippmann, R., Agoumi, A., Perroy L, Doria, M., Henders, S. & Goldmann, R. (2013). Assessing barriers and solutions to financing adaptation projects in Africa. A report.Ottawa, Canada:International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Development Bank of Southern Africa.

UNDP. (2007). Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world.Human Development Report. New York: UNDP.

UNFCCC. (2013). Climate mitigation. http://unfccc.int/focus/mitigation/items/7169.php . Accessed November 22 2021.

UNFCCC. (News, December 01 2019). António Guterres Calls for Increased Ambition and Commitment at COP25. Retrieved December 22, 2019, fromhttps://unfccc.int/news/antonio-guterres-calls-for-increased-ambition-and-commitment-at-cop25.

UNFCCC. (News, December 02 2019). Introduction to Climate Finance. Retrieved December 22, 2019, from https://unfccc.int/news/antonio-guterres-calls-for-increased-ambition-and-commitment-at-cop25.

UNFCCC. (News, December 02 2019). What is Action for Climate Empowerment? Retrieved December 22, 2019, from https://unfccc.int/topics/education-youth/the-big-picture/what-is-action-for-climate-empowerment.

UN. (2013). We can end poverty 2015. Millennium development report. New York: UN.

University College London - UCL. (2013, November 14) Key links between consumption, and climate change. Science Daily. Retrieved November 25, 2021, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131114193245.htm.

Vermeulen, S. J. et al. (2012). Options for support to agriculture and food security under climate change. Environmental Science and Policy, 15 (1), 136-144.

Whitney, L. &Whitney, E. (2012). Faith-Based Statements on Climate Change. Retrieved November 25, 2021 from http://www.citizensclimatelobby.org.