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Taking on Environmental responsibility is more than admitting we have a social problem, it involves action and informing other people of the possibility of peaceful society. Diocese of Swaziland hosted their first Environmental Conference in response to the climate change in Swaziland. The conference was blessed by the presence of Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya who left the congregation with a challenge to root of change and pursue a dream of Swaziland being an Eco-diocese. Rev Rachel Mash the Southern Anglican Environmental Network delivered key environmental factors that are affecting Swaziland as a country and how they could be changed, which included: AGRICULTURE Reduced rainfall will affects the production of crops IMPACT ON WATER Less irrigation and drinking water available IMPACT ON HEALTH Extreme events such as heat waves lead to heat stress, and respiratory diseases. The challenge is how the church responds to these issues, suggestions were given on how we can combat climate change. Rev Rachel mentioned that if we reduce our carbon emissions rainfall will be reduced around the world with 20-60%, average warming will increase as high as 5-8 ⁰. The conference was a success and was well attended, Bishop Elilinah said “In Genesis we read that God looked at His creation and said ‘It is beautiful’. So we must be good stewards of what God has called us to do, to be stewards of all the earth….” Ncumisa Magadla

How to be a Young Green Anglican In the Anglican Church a young person is treasured as the light and future of the church today. As we think of the future , young people have to be aware of all the social issues that will impact their lives either directly or indirectly, including  the state of the environment.  Climate Change has seen the Anglican Church taking a stand against destruction of God’s creation, calling young people to become custodians, to care  for Creation and to become ‘Young Green Anglicans’. A young Green Anglican would work towards change starting with their personal lifestyle, as well as in their church and the broader community. This would also include action and advocacy by praying and preaching about the environment and mobilising their peers to be involved in sustainable programs, activities and campaigns. Youth structures should adjust to environmentally friendly ways of living, celebrating all environmental days and reduce their carbon footprint with actions such as: Transport –cycling or walking, lift sharing, or using public transport. Water-be committed to mending leaks, showering rather than taking a bath, not wasting water Electricity-switching off lights and heaters using appliances for short periods of time. Litter-they would not litter and would try to implement recycling at home, school or work. Simple lifestyle-they would remember that Jesus lived a simple lifestyle and realize that a person’s value is in the quality of his or her relationships with people, not in the car they drive or the clothes they wear. Umntu ngumntu ngabantu. Action and Advocacy- A Green Anglican would inform themselves about issues such a green energy, fracking, nuclear power, they would get involved in local actions such as clean up days, alien plant removal, river clean ups. A young Green Anglican takes responsibility of keeping the environment sustained, clean and in harmony as God intended “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” Romans: 1-20. Ncumisa Magadla Anglican Environmental Network   Please contact us on 021 7631300 or [email protected] if you would like to find out more about the Green Anglican movement. Join us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkdIn  at Green Anglicans

WHAT WILL THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE BE ON SOUTHERN AFRICA? Rising temperatures will lead to more periods of drought and heavier rainfall when it does come Impact on food prices: Maize will be particularly badly impacted, with a reduction in yields of up to 25%. Wheat, barley, sorghum as well as apples pears and grapes will be impacted significantly because of reduced rainfalland increase of pests. Soil will also be degraded by flooding which leads to a loss of fertile topsoil. Livestock will be impacted , heat can  reduce milk yields and conception rates and cattle feed will become more expensive . Fish stocks will be depleted as many types move to cooler areas . There will be an increase in ‘red tide’. Storms will damage estuaries and fisheries, and there will be fewer viable fishing days. Impact on water. Because of increased evaporation and less rain fall there will be less water available for irrigation and drinking water. Rising sea levels have already been recorded all along Southern African coastlines combined with more extreme weather events. With water more scarce and more evaporation, water quality will deteriorate, as pollutants such as chemicals, fertilisers, petroleum become more concentrated.  This will lead to an Increased incubation and transmission of water –borne diseases. Because of increased intensity of rain and flash floods there will be  overflowing sewers, often discharging into  rivers. Impact on health: People will be impacted by storms, cyclones and extreme temperatures. Following floods  there is a risk of cholera and diarrhoeal diseases. We will also suffer from the effects of heat stress which increase the death rate  and respiratory diseases. Flooding and drought may lead to food shortages and malnutrition. Mosquitos and ticks are affected by climatic factors, malaria and tick bite fever will spread to regions bordering current malaria areas which are presently too cold for transmission. As air pollution increases (sulphur dioxide, ozone, benzene, lead etc) it will lead to eye irritation, respiratory infection, increase of TB etc. the combination of heat and air pollution will increase cardiovascular disease (heart disease). How much the temperature will rise by 2050 depends on how much we as a global community can reduce our  carbon emissions. On the current track, average temperatures will rise by a massive 5-8 ⁰C. As a global community if we can reduce our emissions and keep the amount of carbon dioxide molecules in the atmosphere to below 450 parts per million then the rise in temperature will be  between 2.5- 3⁰C.  

Engaging young people in environmental ministry is very important as it creates an early understanding of climate change as well as value of creation.  We made it a competition in order to add a  youthful taste and for it to be intriguing to young people. The Diocese of Umzimvubu has spotted the potential young people have in terms of changing the environmental issue. The environmental coordinator headed an Eco-Tourism and Green Kokstad project where by homes at Shayamoya with their outstation St Francis Parish Bongweni started a garden. This initiative is done in collaboration with Scientific Roets and Yondlabantu NGO and the primary purpose of this initiative is to fight poverty and hunger. Young people are selected as Green Ambassadors, who receive some training through Scientific Roets and always check the progress of the gardens seasonally. “Each year we always have some competitions whereby we vote for a person who has got the most beautiful garden.” What is your Diocese doing to Combat Climate change? It is our responsibility to take care of creation and unite in greening our churches and the community. Rev Mandla Rangana, Mzimvubu Environmental Coordinator