Experts from faith-based communities in Nigeria call for stronger climate policies during the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit organized by CODE. The summit addressed the urgent need for collaborative advocacy to combat the severe impacts of climate change, highlighted by recent flooding disasters. Emphasizing the role of faith traditions in environmental stewardship, leaders urged collective action and public pressure on policymakers for sustainable practices.
Experts and leaders from Christian and Islamic communities emphasize the urgent need for enhanced climate policies and sustainable environmental practices in Nigeria. Their call to action was articulated at the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit, organized by Connected Development (CODE), highlighting the necessity for collective efforts in protecting the environment for future generations. The summit also introduced the inaugural Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Report, showcasing strategic messaging and policy recommendations aimed at promoting faith-driven climate advocacy.
The summit focused on empowering community leaders to advocate for climate justice, using insights on best messaging strategies to advance climate awareness through faith communities. CODE declared the event an opportunity to present a strategic approach to uniting climate and faith, with concrete policy suggestions emerging from an established framework called the BERIC model.
Climate change has severely impacted Nigeria, evidenced by increasing occurrences of extreme weather events that disrupt agricultural productivity and threaten farmers’ livelihoods. Over the past three years, severe flooding has devastated major food-producing regions, with recent reports indicating that floods in 2024 accounted for over 303 fatalities and afflicted over 1.2 million individuals, highlighting the urgent need for mitigation measures.
Disconnected infrastructure and poor management are contributing factors to the prevalent flooding crises. Experts contend that had adequate flood control systems been properly maintained, the consequences of recent disasters could have been significantly lessened. This points to a critical need for preventing future environmental degradation.
Speaking at the summit, Hamzat Lawal, CEO of CODE, asserted that faith-based advocacy is essential in combating climate change in Nigeria, pointing out the country’s underrepresentation in global climate discussions despite being severely affected. He stressed the importance of achieving climate justice to secure appropriate resources for adaptation efforts.
Reverend George Ehusani from the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation expressed the necessity for a transformative approach to environmental policies, criticizing the rampant pollution and ineffective waste management across Nigeria. He urged collective efforts from religious organizations, civil society groups, and citizens to exert pressure on lawmakers for significant action against climate change.
Muhammad Nurudeen, Executive Director of the Da’awah Institute, echoed the sentiment of urgency, proposing that faith traditions hold the potential to overwhelmingly inspire action towards environmental stewardship. He challenged the framing of conflicts in Nigeria as solely religious or ethnic, arguing that many are rooted in climate stress and resource scarcity.
He concluded that addressing climate misinformation and promoting interfaith initiatives is paramount, advocating for a moral imperative that transcends scientific data to drive real action. As he articulated, “Let us act now before it is too late—before we no longer have the opportunity to do so.”
In conclusion, the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit has highlighted the drastic effects of climate change in Nigeria and underscored the importance of faith-based advocacy in addressing these issues. Collaborative efforts among religious communities can empower crucial climate actions, promote environmental stewardship, and demand necessary policy changes. As experts affirm, immediate action is critical to safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
