Climate change experts and clergymen from Christian and Islamic communities are demanding effective climate policies and sustainable environmental sermons to help mitigate challenges of climate change and unsustainable environmental practices in the country.
The officials made the call during the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit, organised by Connected Development (CODE) on Thursday in Abuja.
At the dialogue, the experts and religious leaders underscored the imperative for collaborative efforts to safeguard the environment for the benefit of future generations. The summit also featured the launch of the first Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Report & Policy Brief, highlighting strategic messaging and policy recommendations for faith-driven climate action.
Speaking during the event, Connected Development (CODE) Chief Executive Officer, Hamzat Lawal, argued that faith-based advocacy is critical in addressing climate change effects. He urged Nigerians to demand justice to ensure Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, is central to global climate discussions.
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“Nigeria is one of the countries suffering the worst effects of climate change, yet we are not getting the resources we need to adapt,” Mr Lawal said.
In his intervention, the Executive Director of Da’awah Institute, Muhammad Nurudeen, said the country is facing an urgent crisis and they have a shared responsibility as religious leaders on this planet.
He emphasised that faith traditions teach environmental stewardship, but society fails in this duty.
“While science provides data, faith inspires action and guides leaders to act with justice and responsibility. Many conflicts in Nigeria are wrongly framed as religious or ethnic issues when they are driven by climate stress and resource scarcity,” Mr Nurudeen said.
Story was adapted from Premium Times.
