Boosting action for nature requires spiritual change, say faith groups at UN environment assembly

Any fundamental change in policy and practice to strengthen action for nature will require spiritual transformation for humanity, faith-based groups said alongside the U.N. Environment Assembly in Nairobi.

They also said overconsumption was the key driver of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.

In a final statement in early March, the Faith for Earth Dialogue said emergencies are intertwined in a spiritual crisis of value, ethics and moral responsibility.

Catholic groups have been participating in the dialogue with 90 faith-based organizations. The dialogue underscored, among other issues, challenges around climate change, environmental protection and shared best practices of their work. Sessions also explored partnerships and collaborations in climate work.

"We are faith actors, living and practicing our beliefs in every part of the world. We are able to reach billions of people around the world in order to inspire transformation," the final statement said.

"Together we can go further and we can go fast, rather than going apart. The challenges we see in our countries have their own local complexities, but if you look, most of them are interconnected in the geographical space. This means that we have to work together," said Allen Ottaro, executive director of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa.