The Impact of Ecotheological Training of Faith Leaders in Mitigating Ecological Degradation in the Global South

Abstract

Faith leaders, as trusted opinion leaders, can play a strategic role in influencing community members towards mitigating ecological degradation. Prior debates on the religious contribution to the ecological crisis have not adequately explored the effects of intentional training of faith-leaders for combating developmental and ecological challenges. The varying degrees of commitment to creation care observable among the faith leaders underline the need for, and impact of, the intentional training of faith leaders. This paper seeks to address this need. We argue that intentional ecotheological training of faith leaders will enable them to be more effective influencers on ecological and sustainability issues. This will equip them to appropriately engage in creating ecological awareness within the community, thereby translating to mitigation of environmental degradation.

Keywords

• Faith leaders
• Ecological degradation
• creation care