Online Reporter
Cliff Chiduku
Correspondent
The preacher’s voice echoed through a Pentecostal church in Harare’s central business district, his tone heavy with conviction.
“The El Niño phenomenon that ravaged Zimbabwe and parts of southern Africa last year was a warning,” he proclaimed.
“A sign from God, punishing humanity for its never-ending sins! Have we not seen this before?
“Genesis 8:21 tells us that God will never again curse the earth as he did with floods, but that does not mean he will not send warnings! Look at Cyclone Idai in 2019. Hundreds perished; livelihoods were destroyed. Do we not see the hand of God at work?”
The congregation murmured in agreement, some nodding solemnly.
At this moment, the charismatic preacher was making sense of a terrifying reality in a way that resonated deeply with his followers.
But was this explanation enough? Could it truly account for the climate changes sweeping across the globe?
The intersection of religion and science has never been more critical in addressing the climate crisis. Yet, for many, a purely scientific approach is unhelpful if it disregards the deeply ingrained worldviews that shape people’s understanding of climate change.
Efforts to combat climate change have largely been framed in scientific terms —greenhouse gases, carbon footprints, deforestation, and rising global temperatures.
Unfortunately, such framing does not speak to everyone.
A significant portion of the world’s population interprets climate events through religious or spiritual lenses. Ignoring this perspective means failing to engage with billions of people in meaningful ways.
For effective climate action, we need an inclusive approach — one that recognises the diverse ways people make sense of environmental changes and their consequences.
Religious beliefs provide moral guidance, community cohesion and frames through which many understand their relationship with nature.
Going forward, science and religion must work together, not in opposition, to create a sustainable response to climate change.
Different religious communities have historically played a role in addressing social issues, from health crises to humanitarian aid. The climate crisis should be no different.
Faith leaders, who hold influence over vast congregations, can serve as crucial allies in advocating for sustainable practices.
If they frame environmental responsibility as a moral and spiritual duty, they can mobilise millions toward climate-friendly behaviours.
For instance, Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si” calls for urgent action to care for the earth, which he referred to as “our common home”. In it, the Pope laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action”.
In many African traditions, nature is seen as sacred, with ancestors and spirits tied to the land, reinforcing the idea that environmental stewardship is a spiritual duty.
Crucially, indigenous beliefs worldwide also emphasise on balance and respect for nature — concepts that align with sustainable living.
By fusing scientific issues with religious teachings, we can create a compelling narrative that resonates with diverse audiences.
Instead of dismissing the charismatic preacher’s assertion that El Niño was punishment from God, scientists and faith leaders should collaborate in dialogue to explore how extreme weather patterns are linked to human actions, not divine wrath.
Admittedly, one of the challenges in faith-based interpretations of climate change is the notion of divine retribution.
While it may provide an explanation, it often leads to passivity — people accept suffering as inevitable rather than taking proactive steps to mitigate climate change. To counter this, religious teachings must evolve to emphasise responsibility rather than blame.
Consider the biblical principle of stewardship.
Genesis 2:15 states that humanity was placed in the Garden of Eden to “work it and take care of it.”
This passage can be a powerful tool in climate discourse. If faith leaders teach that protecting the environment is an act of worship, believers may be more inclined to adopt sustainable practices.
Likewise, in Islam, the concept of Khilafah (stewardship) teaches that humans are caretakers of the earth. Similarly, in Hinduism, the reverence for rivers, trees, and animals can also be harnessed to promote conservation efforts.
Instead of viewing climate disasters as divine punishment, these religious principles can inspire collective action to prevent further environmental degradation.
To achieve sustainable results in tackling climate change, we must move beyond the perception that science and religion are at odds.
Collaboration between scientists and faith leaders can foster mutual understanding and drive climate action in ways that resonate with diverse populations.
More so, educational programmes that merge scientific findings with religious teachings can help communities grasp the reality of climate change, while maintaining their spiritual beliefs.
For instance, popular religious organisations can partner with climate scientists to hold workshops that explain how human activities contribute to climate change, while drawing connections to religious teachings on responsibility and care for creation.
Since leaders of these organisations possess influence over their congregations, they can be appointed green ambassadors.
Imagine church leaders leading their congregations at tree-planting exercises.
By doing so, clergymen leverage their positions to advocate for policy changes, encourage sustainable farming practices, and lead tree-planting initiatives — all framed as spiritual acts of devotion.
The climate crisis demands new ways of thinking and perceiving reality. It is not enough to rely solely on scientific explanations, nor is it sufficient to interpret climate events purely as divine punishment.
The solution lies in a middle ground — one where religious and scientific communities converge to build a more holistic and effective global response to climate change.
By understanding how people make sense of the world through their faith, we can create strategies that inspire climate action rather than resignation.
Religious leaders must be engaged as allies, not merely as messengers for scientific findings. Instead of resisting religion’s role in climate discourse, we must embrace it as a powerful force for change.
In the end, whether one believes that El Niño is a result of divine warning or human-induced climate change, the response must be the same: collective action to protect our planet.
That, perhaps, is the most important lesson of all — that in this fight for our planet’s future, we are all in this together, regardless of how we interpret the storm.
Cliff Chiduku is a communications, public policy and governance expert with interests in climate and environmental issues. He writes in his personal capacity. Feedback: [email protected] or Call/App +263775716517.
