Transformative power of faith-based climate action
Just as Holy Week calls Christians to confront brokenness and seek resurrection, so too must we confront Earth’s degradation and labor for its restoration.
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Just as Holy Week calls Christians to confront brokenness and seek resurrection, so too must we confront Earth’s degradation and labor for its restoration.
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The climate crisis is not merely a test of human ingenuity. It is our collective conscience. It calls us to confront not just political or economic realities but a deeper spiritual emergency.
As we observe Holy Week, a sacred time of reflection and renewal for Christians worldwide, we are reminded that now is the moment for a profound moral awakening. We must take responsibility for healing our broken relationship with the Earth, not just as citizens but as stewards of creation.
Faith, representing billions of adherents across cultures and continents, has long served as beacons of ethical guidance with a universal mandate: the call to protect life and care for creation.
In Christianity, this is reflected in the biblical mandate to “work and keep” the Earth (Genesis 2:15) and in “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis’ second encyclical, which calls for collective action to address the ecological crisis facing our planet today.
In Islam, the Quran emphasizes the principle of khalifa (stewardship) and the importance of mizan (balance) in nature. In Hinduism, the concept of dharma (duty) highlights our responsibility toward the Earth, as life depends on ecological harmony. Buddhist teachings emphasize interdependence of all beings in preserving life. For interfaith unity, Indigenous wisdom embodies the “Seven Generations” principle, which reminds us to act not just for today but for those who come after us.
Together, these shared values reframe climate action both as a policy agenda and a sacred obligation.
Faith-based organizations bring unparalleled reach and influence. Mosques, churches, temples and synagogues are not only places of worship but also serve as hubs of education, community mobilization and grassroots action.
The climate crisis intersects with every tenet of justice that faiths hold sacred. Rising temperatures disproportionately harm the marginalized, the poor, Indigenous communities and the next generation. Faith leaders are uniquely positioned to frame climate action as a moral duty, bridging divides and inspiring hope where despair might otherwise take root.
However, a gap between belief and action exists among faith leaders all over the world, including the Philippines. Leaders from various faiths have recognized this and are actively working to align faith with climate action through interfaith initiatives.
One such initiative is the interfaith dialogue co-organized by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Living Laudato Si’ Philippines and the Aksyon Klima Pilipinas network in November 2023. Representatives from the Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists, Islam, Iglesia Filipinas Independiente, and Indigenous peoples signed a manifesto calling for a paradigm shift and immediate action during the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
We likewise had the chance to meet the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles John Brown, who underscored the importance of climate action as an “integral component of stewardship role.” Urgent climate action is part of stewardship roles that “uphold human dignity,” and such a move would benefit those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We commend the efforts of the Apostolic Nuncio to move and respond to key issues on climate change and disaster reduction and respond with emphasis on key stewardship roles for the faithful.
The CCC continues to recognize the crucial role of faith and faith-based organizations in transformative climate actions, as well as in sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance.
Just as Holy Week calls Christians to confront brokenness and seek resurrection, so too must we confront Earth’s degradation and labor for its restoration. Climate action is not merely about policies and programs, it is an act of faith.
Let this sacred season stir our collective resolve. The climate crisis is a moral emergency that transcends borders and beliefs. It demands unified action rooted in reverence, justice and hope.
To faith communities: Preach climate action as love in motion. Your voice is indispensable. Use your pulpits, educational programs and resources to advocate for climate justice.
To policymakers: Engage faith leaders as vital partners. Empower congregations as agents of change. Support interfaith climate programs, integrate ethical frameworks into policy, and amplify faith-driven advocacy in global forums like the COP.
To all people: Let your faith, whatever its name, be a compass toward justice.
This Holy Week, we implore people of all faiths and goodwill to stand together. Let our shared beliefs compel us to heal the Earth.
