Experts discuss faith leaders' role in climate action

Suggest they talk about tree plantation, water conservation practices in sermons

BALAKOT:

Speakers at a training session emphasised the vital role of faith leaders in raising awareness about climate change through their platforms, including mosques, churches, temples, and gurdwaras.

The three-day session, organised under the Umeed initiative, was held in Mansehra in response to the growing threats posed by climate change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The training brought together faith leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, civil society representatives, women, youth, and local government officials. The primary objective of this session was to equip faith leaders with knowledge about climate change and empower them to take practical steps in their communities to promote environmental sustainability.

Speakers said that by incorporating discussions on environmental protection in religious sermons and community gatherings, they can encourage people to plant trees, conserve water, and adopt energy-efficient practices. The training underscored that all major religions emphasise the protection of nature, as reflected in the teachings of the Quran, Bible, Bhagavad Gita, and Guru Granth Sahib, reinforcing the moral responsibility of faith communities to safeguard the environment.

The presence of local government officials further reinforced the idea that successful environmental protection requires collaboration between communities and authorities. Government representatives assured their full support for faith leaders and upcoming Community Action Projects (CAPs), which will include initiatives such as tree plantation drives, waste management improvements, and efficient water conservation strategies.