FAITH AND SCIENCE ARGUED

Years ago in secondary school, I saw a movie series called “Young Sheldon”.

In one of the episodes, the main character, Sheldon, made a bold statement that, “Religion is faith. Science is fact.” Do you agree? I believe we all are having our subjective opinions on this proposition.

According to the Holy Bible, God created the Earth and everything in it in six days (Priestly Theologian Account) after which God asked man to sustain the earth. In the same vein, the Qur’an establishes man as the caretaker of the earth. In the African Traditional Religion setting, the evidence of folktales, proverbs and taboos remain a significant indicator of humans as the custodians of the earth and everything that springs from it.

On the other hand, Science has since time immemorial indicated that, “When the last tree dies, the last man dies “.

Scientifically, it has been proven that without oxygen, man perishes.

Let us juxtapose. Faith recommends we preserve and protect the earth to ensure sustainability.

Likewise, “Science “advocates we protect all creation.

Ultimately, does “Faith “and “Science “agree?

FAITH’S CONTRIBUTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Since ages, faith communities have contributed immensely towards the steady progress and development of society. From education to health, from medicine to the environment, undoubtedly, faith communities have been instrumental. The emergence of Christian missionaries in Africa brought great relief to the people of Africa. In fact, civilization gained stronger grounds in Africa because of the presence of the missionaries.

The Islamic community contributed positively by introducing formal education to particularly the northern and western parts of Africa. The African Traditional Religion continues to bestow on the continent strong ethics and customs to enable the indigenes live strong and well-established moral lives. In any aspect of our lives, faith communities have done their ultimate best to preserve and conserve the universe.

Through the actions of faith communities, society is now aware of actions that destroys the natural beauty of the environment. The activities of some faith-based organizations such as Green Faith Africa, Laudato Si’ Movement,  Climate Action Africa and Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa have been instrumental in the quest to accelerate the Just Transition process and put an end to the adversities relating to climate change in Africa.

GREENFAITH IN GREEN BUSINESS

During that time, there were crucial talks about the dynamics of the climate. Scientists,

Researchers and policy makers noticed a massive change in our climate. There was the need to speed up the exigency to solve this growing cancer.

In 1992, the United Nations Framework on Climate Change was adopted by member states of United Nations with the fundamental purpose of creating a pathway for all member states to contribute their quota in solving a growing global challenge.

It was during that time Green Faith World was established. The realization that faith communities are prominent in the advocacy to end climate change was the main catalyst to the formation of Green Faith World.

To bring on grassroots actions, climate change activism was charged. In Africa, Green Faith started its operations in 2018. Its operations resided mostly in underserved areas, especially where the vulnerabilities of climate change rests. From East Africa to West Africa, Green Faith has been in fervent actions to influence

Policies and programs vis a vis energy transition and climate change. From crucial webinars to workshops, from stakeholder engagements to active participation in Conference of Parties,

Green Faith has been in the business in modifying recommendations to put an end to the

Devastating effects of climate change and the steady progress to full transition to Clean Energy.

Through the activism covered by Green Faith Africa, East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) activities are now open to the eyes of vulnerable communities. The people are now aware of the impacts of the pipeline on their economic and social lives. In terms of equal gender

Representation, Green Faith has been instrumental in radicalizing the realization of women participation in environmental governance, climate justice and energy transition. Without a

Shred of doubt, Green Faith has a led a good fight towards Clean Energy Transition and Climate Justice with the committed involvement of faith communities, women and the youth.

LET US MAKE A BOLD CALL

In the “Blue Pale Dot” coverage, Carl Sagan, an astronaut, re-echoed a strong message and warning that would change how we view our universe and further advance our actions to protect our only habitat. He asserts that, “Our planet is a lonely speck in the great, enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from

elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else at least in the near future to which our species could migrate.” Does this speak to you? Do you appreciate its relevance? Since ages, humans have engaged in activities that sustains and improve their livelihood. Civilization made us aware of the various alternatives

by which we can extract precious minerals from beneath the earth surface. We have drilled oil and mined gold, bauxite, manganese, lithium etc. to the gross detriment of people.

In all these, we can change the world. We can activate the call to end the activities that degrade our beautiful environment. We have the strength and capacity to influence positive

change in our world today.

From Lusaka to Lagos, from Accra to Abidjan, from Johannesburg to Nairobi, we are all involved. Faith communities, energy transition enthusiasts, climate justice advocates and civil society organizations must work together to realize the full transition process. If Green Faith is doing all what they can to make the world a better place to live in, what are you doing?