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The half yearly publication will collect up-to-date information and synthetise data on land use, land rights, water resources and management, food insecurity, and hunger, among other indicators. Living Planet Monitor will also share stories of local projects and initiatives led by churches worldwide.
By highlighting stories of resilience and positive change from within the church community, the publication will aim to inspire and encourage continued efforts aligned with faith-based values. Living Planet Monitor will cover all continents, beginning with southern and eastern Africa in its first edition, followed by west and central Africa, and then move on to Asia.
In addition to debuting the publication, the webinar will present the nexus approach to land, water, and food. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from WCC member churches that have contributed to the publication, showcasing their projects on topics surrounding land, water, and food.
In the foreword, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay notes that addressing these interconnected challenges is crucial for our collective future.
“Faith-based organizations play a pivotal role in this context,” writes Pillay. “Rooted in principles of stewardship, compassion, and social justice, churches possess a unique voice in advocating for sustainable resource use and environmental justice.”
In a joint introduction, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for public witness and diakonia, and Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, explain how the publication is part of the WCC’s broader strategy to address pressing ecological and economic issues within the framework of the WCC Climate Justice and Sustainable Development Commission.
“With a rapidly growing population, rich biodiversity, and substantial natural resources, Africa stands at a pivotal moment,” they write. “As you study the articles in this edition, consider how these issues intersect in your context and how your community can shape sustainable solutions.”
The publication is a new initiative of the Living Planet unit of WCC, under the editorial supervision of Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food Advocacy.
