12 Climate Change: Science, People, Religion—Cord of Three Strands
235
Island region. Expressed simply, a closer cooperation between scientists, science,
people and religious leaders is vital in building climate resilience by 2030 and
beyond.
Results
Based on the analysis carried out for this study, a ‘God-knot’ framework was
developed named cord of three strands (Fig. 12.2).
a. God’s knot: A framework for community-based resilience and sustainability by
2030 and beyond
The study found that climate change can be approached and/or solved in three
ways. First, through science and government organisations. Second, by the
people. Third, through God-informed solutions. Because this chapter promotes
God-based adaptation approaches (e.g., reading the Bible, fasting and praying to
God to reverse climate change impacts as a solution), the study findings prompted
the conceptual development of the ‘three cords God-knot’ framework. Given the
need to demonstrate why close collaboration between scientists, science, people
and religious leaders is significant in solving the problems, and to encapsulate or
categorise this idea under a theme, the ‘God-knot’ idea was conceptualised.
The ‘God-knot’ name was chosen to represent this model because the framework
is considered a God-centred approach. It sums up the importance of including
God in this model. Here, in this model people can approach God through reading
the scriptures, fasting and then praying to their God to reverse the effects of
climate change or disaster. In the context of Tonga, this work is highly practical
and affected communities do this routinely. In this framework approach God
is seen as the only stakeholder who can ultimately and enduringly reverse the
impacts of climate change and disasters.
As a result, because God is highly significant in the local context, the authors
borrow this leading-edge idea for the purposes of innovating climate change
leadership and management. The idea is to use this model to better manage
climate change and disasters. By applying this state-of-the-art concept in the
context of climate change adaptation in the Pacific, this chapter identifies five
steps to guide its implementation.
Step 1 Identification of the Global Issues for the State, Church and Affected
Communities
In the first step, the Church, State and affected communities identify the most
pressing issues affecting them in their society (i.e., input). Here the consultant from the State should assist the people and Church accordingly and also
throughout this process. These issues are climate change and disasters caused
by natural hazards affecting Church, State and people’s livelihood, health,
well-being and sustainability in their communities.
235
Island region. Expressed simply, a closer cooperation between scientists, science,
people and religious leaders is vital in building climate resilience by 2030 and
beyond.
Results
Based on the analysis carried out for this study, a ‘God-knot’ framework was
developed named cord of three strands (Fig. 12.2).
a. God’s knot: A framework for community-based resilience and sustainability by
2030 and beyond
The study found that climate change can be approached and/or solved in three
ways. First, through science and government organisations. Second, by the
people. Third, through God-informed solutions. Because this chapter promotes
God-based adaptation approaches (e.g., reading the Bible, fasting and praying to
God to reverse climate change impacts as a solution), the study findings prompted
the conceptual development of the ‘three cords God-knot’ framework. Given the
need to demonstrate why close collaboration between scientists, science, people
and religious leaders is significant in solving the problems, and to encapsulate or
categorise this idea under a theme, the ‘God-knot’ idea was conceptualised.
The ‘God-knot’ name was chosen to represent this model because the framework
is considered a God-centred approach. It sums up the importance of including
God in this model. Here, in this model people can approach God through reading
the scriptures, fasting and then praying to their God to reverse the effects of
climate change or disaster. In the context of Tonga, this work is highly practical
and affected communities do this routinely. In this framework approach God
is seen as the only stakeholder who can ultimately and enduringly reverse the
impacts of climate change and disasters.
As a result, because God is highly significant in the local context, the authors
borrow this leading-edge idea for the purposes of innovating climate change
leadership and management. The idea is to use this model to better manage
climate change and disasters. By applying this state-of-the-art concept in the
context of climate change adaptation in the Pacific, this chapter identifies five
steps to guide its implementation.
Step 1 Identification of the Global Issues for the State, Church and Affected
Communities
In the first step, the Church, State and affected communities identify the most
pressing issues affecting them in their society (i.e., input). Here the consultant from the State should assist the people and Church accordingly and also
throughout this process. These issues are climate change and disasters caused
by natural hazards affecting Church, State and people’s livelihood, health,
well-being and sustainability in their communities.