Directors from the Southern Africa Lutheran Development and Relief Network (SALDRAN) have concluded their biennial meeting at the Lutheran Conference Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. SALDRAN is a regional expression of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) departments, consisting of World Service Field Programs and Associate Programs.The Directors met to discuss the issues of climate change and carbon emissions as matters of regional concern as well as to explore opportunities of strengthening their co-operation.
They felt that they have an unequivocal moral obligation to address the issue of climate change. “As leaders and representatives of faith communities and in the region we wish to highlight the very real threat to the world's poor, and to our creation, from the threat of catastrophic climate change. We have to take responsibility and address this as a matter of urgency” said one of the delegates
They said most of their developmental projects are in poor rural communities and the impact of climate change there is a harsh reality to the poor people, the people who did not contribute to the situation that the region finds itself in.
The leaders further felt that they have a crucial role to play in ensuring changes in behaviour at every level of society and in every economic sector.
“We all have a responsibility to learn how to live, change our ways and develop sustainable ways of doing things” said Mr Enos Moyo.
After a presentation by Mr Lucky Ntshangwane, a Meteorologist from the South African Weather Service, it was as evident that the leaders were even more determined to see something being done to address climate change. “We need to continue speaking about climate change for the sake of the future generation. There is neither person nor institution that can address the problem of climate change alone” said one of the leaders.
They called upon negotiators to the Copenhagen Summit, representatives from Africa in particular, to fight for a deal which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions speedily and pledged to work together in raising awareness on the effects of climate change to the world’s poor and to take the necessary action to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices.
“We all have to do more to face the challenges of climate change,” said Mr Enos Moyo. “We have the responsibility and we should lobby others to join in. Faith communities have a crucial role to play. We must do our bit and encourage others to do theirs. Together we can and we will make a difference.”
Faith leaders will discuss climate change and its impact at the Copenhagen Conference in December
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