WCC news: Living Planet Monitor debuts with insights on interconnectedness of people and planet

The World Council of Churches (WCC) launched the inaugural edition of the Living Planet Monitor (LPM) publication, marking a significant step in addressing the interconnection between land, water, food, and climate justice. WCC 03 December 2024 Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, introduced the publication, highlighting its potential to inspire dialogue and action on building just and sustainable communities. “Ensuring the right to land, water, and food is vital for communities to thrive,” he said. “The LPM represents a crucial tool in monitoring and responding to these challenges with faith-based solutions.” The publication, introduced during a webinar attended by global stakeholders, focuses on the land-water-food nexus in East and Southern Africa. It provides an intersectional analysis of governance, resilience, and the impacts of climate change. Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, emphasized the publication’s role: “The LPM fosters regional and global exchanges, urging leaders and communities to rethink their approach to resource management. This is not just a call to understand the nexus but to act upon it.” The event featured expert contributions, including Vladimir Chilinya from Zambia, who shared the challenges of balancing water and land resources amidst climate-induced stress, and Susan Smith from the USA, who advocated for regenerative farming practices and sustainable forestry. Their testimonies underscored the critical need for holistic governance and grassroots solutions. The Living Planet monitor publication is available online. Highlighting initiatives such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s forest conservation efforts and the Women Collective Kenya’s advocacy for climate justice, the LPM also reflects theological perspectives on environmental stewardship, aiming to inspire faith-based communities worldwide. “The Living Planet Monitor bridges stories, best practices, and analysis, connecting the dots for a sustainable future,” said Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food, who is also the editor of Living Planet Monitor. Furthermore, he invited contributions to the future editions of LPM. The WCC invites all member churches and faith-based communities to explore the LPM, share its findings, and champion justice-oriented environmental action. Solene Jetzer, managing editor of the LPM, moderated the webinar. Access the Living Planet Monitor publication here. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland