Religion Plays a Role in Addressing Climate Change, Minister Says

Jakarta – Religion contributes to addressing the climate change – that the world is facing. This was conveyed by Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas at the Conference on Religion and Climate Change - South East Asia (CORECS) 2023, in Jakarta. 

The conference discussed the role of religion in handling the negative impacts of climate change. 

"To address climate change, especially in Indonesia, much has been done by leaders of religious institutions at the local level," Minister Qoumas said in his remarks on Wednesday. 

"In Indonesia, we see real commitment at the local level, such as ecological boarding schools that educate religious people to be more concerned about the environment," Minister Qoumas continued. 

According to the Minister, there is the establishment of institutions that focus on addressing climate change issues, such as the Nahdlatul Ulama Institute for Disaster Management and Climate Change. The issue of ecological injustice has also been discussed among churches in Indonesia. 

Minister Qoumas also hopes that these initiatives can be an example as well as the first step to creating an integrated movement to address climate change. 

"We can look for innovative solutions to this challenge, such as renovating or building worship buildings that are friendly to the Indonesian climate, as well as adopting local concepts that support sustainability, as seen in the design of the Al Risyad Mosque in West Java," Minister Qoumas remarked. 

Another step that religious institutions need to take, for example, is to prioritize the use of pro-environmental technologies such as LED lights, solar power, and rainwater harvesting. 

The Minister also said: "Religious institutions have great potential to contribute to protecting our environment." 

"Climate change has become an increasingly urgent global threat, and to address this issue requires collaboration across religions, cultures, and countries," Minister Qoumas added. 

"I appreciate this very noble activity, which is about our concern for the environment and climate change, hopefully, it can bring benefits to society," he continued. 

As information, the conference was initiated by Majelis Hukama Al-Muslimin (MHM) and attended by 150 representatives of various religions from several countries in the Southeast Asian region. Scientists, and youth who have concerns about climate change issues were also present.

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VIVA.co.id

18 Mei 2025