Shifeta calls on churches to support environmental management

WINDHOEK, 08 JUL  – Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta has called on church leaders to support the promotion of environmental management and nature conservation in communities.
Shifeta made the call during the Mission and Diakonia Annual Festival at Engela Church in the Ohangwena Region on Saturday.
He said churches are a powerful force in instilling discipline and changing societal behaviour.
“It is important for church leaders to understand the concept of nature conservation and incorporate it into their Sunday sermons,” he said.
The minister said churches have demonstrated their power as catalysts for political change in Namibia and should now support environmental change by encouraging congregants to conserve natural resources.
“Pastors should teach and preach to the congregants how to adapt to the changing environment as the resources are limited,” he said.
Shifeta said the environment has reached a tipping point due to climate change, land degradation, loss of biodiversity and waste generation, hence the need to join forces with every leader of the community, churches included.
He further noted that the ministry has come up with policies and legislation to overcome these challenges and requires communities to be fully informed, as well as engaged in terms of their implementation.
“The ministry would appreciate the support of churches in supporting the implementation of the policies and legislation as well as the broader promotion of environmental management and nature conservation among our communities,” said Shifeta.
The polices and legislation include the Environmental Management Act, national climate change strategy and action plan, second national biodiversity strategy and action plan, third national action programme to combat desertification, national solid waste management strategy and the revised human wildlife conflict management policy.

NAMPA