AMECEA PLENARY: “Church Interventions Crucial to Combat Environmental Degradation,” Delegate Shares at 20th AMECEA Plenary

 By Pascal Mwanache

Professor Pius Yanda of University of Dar es salaam, Tanzania has noted that the Church has a role to play in combating environmental degradation to save the planet.

Professor Pius Yanda said this while giving out his presentation to the 20th Association Member Episcopal Conference of East Africa (AMECEA) Plenary Assembly which is being held at Mwalimu Nyerere International Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“We must manage the environment not simply for our own benefits but for God’s glory. If we fail to care for the environment in which we live, we will suffer as a result. Human behaviour is responsible for environmental destruction motivated by economical gain and property, and Church interventions is required to save this planet” Professor Yanda stressed.

Professor Yanda also noted that the Church has the most important role in addressing environmental challenges, that is where they need to engage itself in terms of discussions on how best it can come in and be part of the solution.

And speaking on the importance of ecosystem, Professor Yanda said that all living organisms in nature are essential for human existence and good quality of life for all, for they play a critical role in providing food, energy, medicines and variety materials fundamental for people’s physical well-being and for maintaining nature.

“More than 2 billion people rely on wood fuel to meet their primary energy needs; this is vivid if we make reference to the rural areas where they have no access to electricity, so they depend very much on nature. About 4 billion people rely primarily on natural medicine for their health care and this is also a reality. In as much as the governments are making a lot of efforts in providing modern medical services, the majority are still relying very much on medicines from nature,” he said.

Professor Yanda has also employed African countries to prepare for the limited demand on natural resources as the population grows. “So, we should be prepared in terms of making management system that can encounter the anticipated further degradation of the natural resources and eco system in general,” Professor Yanda said.

The 20th AMECEA Plenary Assembly is being under the theme: Environmental Impact Integral Development