ECO-THEOLOGY AND FAITH LEADERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN KENYA

Abstract

Kenya is facing hazards to environmental sustainability and livelihoods due to climate change. The study examined relationship between eco-theological reasoning, environmental teaching, institutional support and congregational environmental action. The study used an interpretive multi-case design with descriptive quantitative analysis of 49 participants, which included 14 faith leaders and 35 congregational members. Interviews, questionnaires, church documents and environmental programme records were used to collect data. Qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. Teaching exposure recorded the highest mean (M = 3.63, SD = .77), followed by institutional support (M = 3.60, SD = 1.17), eco‑theological reasoning (M = 3.17, SD= .92), and environmental action ((M = 2.86, SD = .94)). Eco-theological reasoning was positively correlated to environmental action (r= .40, p= .017) and institutional support (r= .34, p= .047). Teaching exposure had a statistically significant positive relationship with eco-theological reasoning (r=.55, p< .001), but was not significantly correlated with environmental action (r= .29, p= .092). None of the variables in the regression model was a significant individual predictor of environmental action (p > .05). The study suggests reinforcing eco-theological education, environmental partnerships and community participation.

Keywords: eco-theology, faith leaders, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, religious institutions

Ethics and Conflict of Interest

The study had all the necessary research ethics approvals as well as the necessary authorization to conduct the research from National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). The informed consent was obtained in all the subjects who participated in the study. If the participant was less than 18 years, the participant and his or her parents/legal guardian(s) agreed to participate before doing so and their assent was obtained. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. The authors confirms that they have no conflict of interest with the real study and they do not want the study to be prevented from publication.

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