The world is experiencing effects of climate change as temperatures increase every period, global warming or climate change, and it affects both human and natural systems adversely. For instance, there are many onset events that have happened in our region in Southern Africa, which has affected mainly livelihoods and execrated poverty and various other social ills.
Some of those events are happening rapidly in South Africa’s province of KwaZulu Natal: in October 2017, torrential rain of 108mm in 24-hours was recorded in the province; in April 2019, about 85 people were reported dead after the devastating floods and torrential rain of hit the province and in the month of November in the same year, 2 people were reported dead in Durban during heavy rains/flooding; In April 2022, more than 430 died, other missing and massive infrastructure was destroyed (also causing internal displacements of thousands of people) in the province; and we have just seen, a few months ago, a tornado washing away houses, and scientists confirmed that was also a result of climate change.
These rapid and persisting climate onset events are just about one province of South Africa, there are many more happening in the rest of the provinces and across Africa, that is why the continent is even recognized as a special case with special circumstances in the Paris Agreement (international climate change treaty). Climate change is not natural, although some people urge that events such as floods, droughts and water scarcity and natural events, they are all a consequence of human-induced climate change.
The biggest and world’s scientists’ organization (IPCC), in its recent report, states that “human-induced climate change is a consequence of more than a century of net GHG emissions from energy use, land-use and land use change, lifestyle and patterns of consumption, and production. It simply means that all of us are responsible, however, it is only fair to say we every person is only responsible for their contribution, which will reveal that poor people in general, and developing and least developed countries in particular are merely not responsible for a very large part that has really caused climate change – that is through industrial developments and fossil fuels.
One of the theologians once said, the church is responsible to advocate for climate justice simply because climate change affects people, and it matters to God. Apart from activities like tree planting, food gardening, and waste management that other church parishes do to take care of the environment, the church must advocate for climate justice at the heart of its mission and diakonia. Our great commission from Jesus Christ says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” And as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA), we have committed to “dvocating for justice, peace and reconciliation for the people of God,” and we must implement these commitments, indefinitely.
The reason for the term ‘climate justice’ is to refer to climate change as an ethical and political issue, the term also refers to striving for environmental justice, justice to nature and protection of vulnerable people as climate change continues to worsen persistently. There are of course several activities that our congregations and parishes are undertaking in taking care of environment, and such are facilitated under Green ELCSA initiative.
Members of the church are becoming more aware of their ecological impact on the planet and on others, and there is considerable progress. However, to protect poor and vulnerable communities that are subjected to climate change impacts, as mentioned in the beginning of this document, the church must embark on radical advocacy that targets government and fossil fuel sectors, such as (in the context of South Africa) advocating for proper and integrated Just Transition, Climate Change Law, and adherence to internal climate legal frameworks such as the Paris Agreement.
Unless the church does so, as a matter of urgency, we can only hope for a better future, and we will be held accountable for failure to practice our commitments as commissioned in Mark 16.15 and according to the church’s constitution. As we continue with the Hagar campaign, we should remember communities that are as vulnerable, those who are still suffering and survivors, as well as those who are yet to be affected. Again, these are not natural, it’s human-induced and it is big and fissile fuel industries that must be held accountable as a matter of justice for such vulnerable people.
Because of its structures and grass-rooted in communities, the church has a comparative advantage as innovators, influencers, connectors and implementers of climate policy and actions. The church can raise the voice of climate vulnerable people and communities and ensure their full and meaningful participation in climate policy processes. Of course, it should start by developing a strategy to make sure that its mission to advocate for climate justice has the necessary impact.
The church is invited to join the ecumenical family, globally, in celebrating season of creation (from 01 September to 04 October). This is a period where Christians around the world, demonstrate their commitment for environmental care and climate justice through various practical activities. There are also two very important events that are happening this month: the 13th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which is global event that shapes the vision and mission of the communion of churches (where ELCSA is also a member); the Africa Climate Week (ACW), and this is a continental event that is hosted under UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to prepare for COP28 – United Nations climate change conference.
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Mr Khulekani Sizwe Magwaza
Green ELCSA Coordinator; LWF Council Member; & SAYCCC Executive Director