WCC NEWS: Bridging science and spirit: A Jamaican young woman’s call to care for creation

Toni Ann Hendricks, a 24-year-old Jamaican researcher and climate advocate, embodies the spirit of this year’s Ecumenical International Youth Day theme: “Rooted in Hope – Nurturing Faith and Mental Well-being in the Face of Climate Crisis.” As a young woman of faith and science, Hendricks draws from her lived experiences in rural Jamaica and her academic path in applied physics to address the urgent realities of climate change. Photo: Courtesy of Toni Ann Hendricks 07 August 2025 Her work reflects a deep commitment not only to environmental sustainability but also to the spiritual and emotional resilience needed in this age of eco-anxiety. Engaged in the wider movement of the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice, Hendricks reminds us that the call to care for creation is both a sacred responsibility and a shared journey of hope. Hendricks reflects and shares how her faith, research, and community experiences shape her climate witness.   Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us where you’re based and what you do? Hendricks: My name is Toni Ann Hendricks, and I am a 24-year-old Jamaican who hails from the cool hills of the parish of Manchester. I currently study at the University of the West Indies, Mona, where I pursue a Master of Philosophy in Applied Physics. I am a graduate research student with the Department of Physics and a researcher with the Climate Studies Group Mona.   What inspired you to get involved in climate justice work? Hendricks: Growing up in a rural community, where my parent worked as a farmer, I saw firsthand how vulnerable we were to the impacts of climate change. Extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns disrupted not only my family’s livelihood but the broader community’s way of life. I also became keenly aware of the disparities in climate vulnerability—not just globally, but between rural and urban areas within my country itself. So when it was time for me to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to be more than a voice advocating against climate change. I aspired to be part of the solution—actively contributing to mitigation and adaptation efforts and ensuring that the work being done is accessible and relevant to the communities it’s meant to serve.   Could you share a climate initiative you’re currently part of and the impact it’s having in your community or region? Hendricks: Presently, my research investigates the use of solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems (PV+) to enhance energy security, resilience, and independence in small island developing states. The aim is to support progress toward local and regional Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on clean energy generation. Specifically, the study evaluates the techno-economic performance of a 500 kW and 1 MWh PV+ system at a local manufacturing facility in Jamaica to better understand the role of batteries in advancing the country's energy transition. The preliminary results of the study were disseminated to key stakeholders at a workshop hosted at the university. A second workshop/course will be offered to aid other private sector companies in achieving their renewable energy goals.   From your perspective, what role does faith or spirituality play in your climate activism? Hendricks: My faith is the foundation of my commitment to caring for the environment. I believe we were entrusted with this Earth not just to benefit from its resources, but also to protect and preserve it. The congregations I worship with and serve are mostly made up of older individuals, many of whom are unfamiliar with or skeptical about climate change and their connection to it. I see them as part of the demographic most vulnerable to its impacts, and I aspire to be a bridge between scientific understanding and everyday awareness.   What message would you like to share with other young people around the world who are passionate about protecting creation? Hendricks: I encourage young people to keep pursuing knowledge because you can't effectively champion a cause you don't fully grasp. Climate change is a complex challenge that no individual or organization can tackle alone. That’s why collaboration and shared learning, both locally and globally, are essential. And above all, stay curious and solution-oriented. We’re living in an era filled with pressing questions and limited answers, so let your lived experiences fuel your commitment to meaningful change. With faith as her compass and science as her tool, Hendricks calls on young people across the ecumenical family to rise as caretakers of creation and voices of justice. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of lived experience, community resilience, and theological conviction. As we mark this year’s Ecumenical International Youth Day, may her witness inspire a renewed commitment to ecological justice—grounded in faith, guided by wisdom, and sustained by the collective courage of a generation determined to safeguard God's creation for all.   Register for the Ecumenical International Youth Day 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 356 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