World Environment Day 2024

Photo by Dmitry Dreyer on Unsplash

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, marked World Environment Day in a video message on 5 June, reflecting on the theme 'Our Land. Our Future.'

Vatican News marked the day with an interview with Dr Iyad Abu Moghli, director and founder of the UN's Faith for Earth Coalition.

In his video message, Dr Pillay said: "We reflect on the pressing issues that face our planet today. These challenges threaten the very ecosystems that sustain life."

In fact, Pillay noted, we are risking the wellbeing of present and future generations - yet faith-based groups can serve as beacons of hope. "It's heartening to witness the proactive response of faith-based organizations around the world," he said. "We are guided by principles of stewardship, compassion, and reverence for the natural world."

Pillay urged inspiring and mobilizing communities towards action. "We can leverage our moral authority and our vast networks to advocate for restoration and resilience," he said. "Through the teachings, rituals, and community engagement, we can instill a profound sense of interconnectedness with nature."

He reaffirmed the WCC's commitment to the preservation and restoration of land. "Let us embrace a future where environmental stewardship is not just a duty but a shared moral imperative," he said. "Let us pray and act in ways that preserve and protect our land and our future."

Watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-rc_41E7c&t=3s

In his World Environment Day interview, with Vatican News, Dr Iyad Abu Moghli, director and founder of the UN's Faith for Earth Coalition, spoke about desertification, drought resilience, and the impact of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato sì. Hear the full interview:

www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-06/world-environment-day-saudi-arabia-pope-faith-for-earth.html