WCC NEWS: Training programme to help churches address impact of climate change on health

A training program to be held in N'Djamena, Chad, from 28-29 April, and in Manila, Philippines, from 29-30 April, as well as online, will help churches address impact of climate change on health. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 24 April 2025 The training is being co-organised by World Council of Churches, along with Association évangélique pour la santé au Tchad, African Christian Health Associations Platform, All Africa Conference of Churches, Christian Conference of Asia, Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network, and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines The training, which includes tips on climate litigation, will lift the experiences and expertise of Chad and the Philippines. The programme also aims to educate church leaders and members on the intersection of climate change and public health, and empower churches to advocate for and implement climate-resilient health initiatives. The exercise will foster community partnerships to build resilience against climate-related health challenges. The training will also have a two-hour online training session connecting the two countries with international participants. Participants will learn how to foster community partnerships to build resilience against climate-related health challenges.  Climate change presents a fundamental risk to human health. It directly contributes to humanitarian emergencies from heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes, increasing in scale, frequency and intensity.  Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress alone.  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