12 Climate Change: Science, People, Religion—Cord of Three Strands
241
Conclusions
It is clear from this chapter that climate change adaptation is significantly reliant on
science, people and religion. The interrelationships between these three assets are
revealed quite clearly through the development of our cord of three strands model.
This ‘God’s knot’ framework is unique and makes an important contribution to
scholarship by turning problems into opportunities (and people away from their sins
to please God). Moreover, it recognises that the power of a nation to adapt effectively
to climate change depends on three principal stakeholders:
1. Government/state;
2. Church/religion/God;
3. People/communities and their land;
These three contributors are brought together in the three God-knot approach
(Fig. 12.3).
The model can be used to solve climate change adaption and faith-based
issues concurrently. By investing in developing the relationships and collaborations
between key domains and stakeholders (scientists, science, people and religious
leaders) the model promises to generate multiple benefits for climate change-affected
communities.
Importantly, the following main lessons were learned from this chapter:
1. The government cannot reverse the impacts of climate change on livelihood,
health, well-being and sustainability alone, and neither can science nor the people
do it singly. Therefore, the model advocates that people should turn to God for
help and support.
2. Combining the unique contributions from science, people and religion in the
service of environmental care should be naturalised and cultivated. When science,
people and religion work together their combined contribution will be much
stronger than the sum of their individual parts.
3. God should be acknowledged as a concerned stakeholder of climate change adaptation by both the Church, State and the affected communities. In climate change
GOD’S KNOT
God’s Knot: Government (red strand) + People (blue strand) + God (gold strand) = Resilient
and Sustainable Communities
God
Government
People
Resilience and
Sustainability in
Communities
Climate
Change
Fig. 12.3 Summary of God’s knot framework: Cord of three strands approach
241
Conclusions
It is clear from this chapter that climate change adaptation is significantly reliant on
science, people and religion. The interrelationships between these three assets are
revealed quite clearly through the development of our cord of three strands model.
This ‘God’s knot’ framework is unique and makes an important contribution to
scholarship by turning problems into opportunities (and people away from their sins
to please God). Moreover, it recognises that the power of a nation to adapt effectively
to climate change depends on three principal stakeholders:
1. Government/state;
2. Church/religion/God;
3. People/communities and their land;
These three contributors are brought together in the three God-knot approach
(Fig. 12.3).
The model can be used to solve climate change adaption and faith-based
issues concurrently. By investing in developing the relationships and collaborations
between key domains and stakeholders (scientists, science, people and religious
leaders) the model promises to generate multiple benefits for climate change-affected
communities.
Importantly, the following main lessons were learned from this chapter:
1. The government cannot reverse the impacts of climate change on livelihood,
health, well-being and sustainability alone, and neither can science nor the people
do it singly. Therefore, the model advocates that people should turn to God for
help and support.
2. Combining the unique contributions from science, people and religion in the
service of environmental care should be naturalised and cultivated. When science,
people and religion work together their combined contribution will be much
stronger than the sum of their individual parts.
3. God should be acknowledged as a concerned stakeholder of climate change adaptation by both the Church, State and the affected communities. In climate change
GOD’S KNOT
God’s Knot: Government (red strand) + People (blue strand) + God (gold strand) = Resilient
and Sustainable Communities
God
Government
People
Resilience and
Sustainability in
Communities
Climate
Change
Fig. 12.3 Summary of God’s knot framework: Cord of three strands approach