Faith and science unite: joint seminar addresses land, water, and food crisis

The World Council of Churches (WCC) organized a joint seminar on 16 April at the National Council of Churches in India in collaboration with the India Peace Center, Nagpur, India. The seminar launched a series of webinars on land, water, and food to address climate justice through a nexus approach.

About 40 participants from various parts of India, primarily from the central region, attended the event representing National Council of Churches in India member churches, nongovernmental organizations, and civil society organizations.

"Land, water, and food issues are intrinsically connected and are influenced by the climate emergency. Therefore, addressing these issues in silos is not the best way forward. We need a nexus approach," said Rev. Dr Asir Ebenezer, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India. The nexus approach recognizes that land, water, and food systems are deeply interconnected and must be addressed together rather than separately to create effective climate solutions.

Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food, highlighted several WCC initiatives, including the Blue Communities and Food for Life campaign. He also showcased WCC publications such as Climate Litigation Tools and the Living Planet Monitor.

Several people of different ages and ethnicities gather in front of a building, appearing friendly and welcoming.

The interfaith dimension was reinforced by Tejinder Singh Rawal, an India Peace Center board member representing the Sikh religion, who spoke about water challenges in the Vidarbha region.

A panel of experts addressed key environmental issues. Dr Atya Kapley, former chief scientist of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, called on communities to "inculcate a culture of taking care of our surroundings," while Dr Suma Josson, an Indian-American journalist and filmmaker, presented a documentary on Indigenous communities affected by mining operations. Aradhana Upadhyay, director of the Church of North India Social Service Institute, presented several case studies on land degradation, water contamination, and food security-related issues.

The participants agreed to launch a series of webinars to address the nexus approach during May and June. "We will continue to follow up on the nexus approach to land, water, and food in India through an interfaith approach. These webinars are intended to reach a much wider audience," said Angelious Michael, director of the India Peace Center.

Access the Living Planet Monitor publication here.