Clerics' crucial role at the COP29 climate talks

Protestors demand a just energy transition from fossil fuel use to renewable energy during COP28. [File, Standard]

Gone are the days when pulpits were the haven for emphasis on God's goodness, prosperity gospel and need to secure a place in heaven, all without championing good stewardship of our earthly blessings.

The earthly blessings include the environment, which we have witnessed getting damaged but done little beyond praying for God's intervention. As flooding dominated headlines in April and May, many clerics must have been approached to pray for their flock, either rendered homeless or whose businesses and property were destroyed, or in cases where lives were lost.