The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Religions Initiative (URI), Religion World and Shristi had organized Phase 3 of Faith for Earth Councillors online convening/training program on April 8-9, 2021 with the “Importance of Science and Religion working together” to strengthen the movement of environmental protection through a collaborative effort of different Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs). There were around 95 participants including   Ms. Chihanphi Luiram, Mr. Pradipta Kishor Chand and  Dr. Haridas  V R from Caritas India.

The two days online training accentuates that, every being has to be once again reconnected; as there is divinity and beauty in all biodiversity.  They are interdependent and inseparable. It also enabled participants from different faith organizations to reconsider the closeness of spirituality and science, wherein both can work wonders. The Earth which holds all living beings provide survival requirements not by its own alone but they are interlinked to one thing or the other as a systemic chain which is symbiotic. Yet mankind has destructed that chain vastly; knowingly and unknowingly. Now, it is high time for everyone to contribute for regenerating mother earth by advocating and working closely towards restoring all its resources, living or non-living beings in it.

Themes deliberated on day one included the Roadmap: Role of FBOs in addressing Environmental concerns using the SDG, strategic engagement with Faith-based Organizations, Sharing about Faith for Earth Councilors, Environmental Landscape- Opportunities and Challenges from a Global Perspectives, Importance of Science and Religion working together: Role of Faith leaders in supporting the SDGs, Importance of Science and Religion working together, and importance of Science and Religion working together. Religious Scriptural references emphasizing the praxis (Part2). The theme on day two  “Transforming religious values for ecology and SDGs”  had a mixture of deliberations and technical activities with breakout sessions. The participants were divided into seven groups or rooms, and each group had a facilitator. The purpose of the breakout session was to discuss and share how we can plan a way forward towards restoring mother earth and all being in it that will contribute to SDGs a broader sense. There was also a quick quiz on covid 19. The activity was participatory and the result shows that almost 80% are aware and conscious of the causes and effect of COVID19.

The speakers from the different organizations cited that; the present crisis is relatively due to unprecedented climate change, where 80% of the pandemic is caused by the vast destruction of our planet earth’s resources; leading to intolerable climate change.  Hence, the training was intended to interconnect spirituality and science for a sustainable restoration and conservation. The whole essence of the training was to revamp the lost resources of mother earth consciously by everyone as irresponsible use and destruction has caused untold miseries to humanity.  Global agenda has to be accomplished with everyone’s cooperation, without which, the SDGs cannot be accomplished. To restore mother earth, we need to plant trees, trees do not give out oxygen only but they are a source of water. Our relation with humanity and nation, we are the solution, hope of the future. Illegal hunting in the Northeast should stop. We are caretakers, everything is the sacred children of God. The instincts of faith, religion and spirituality originates from within our heart while science and technology are products of scientific enquiry and technological applications that stem from our mind or reasoning abilities. Therefore, we cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside of us; “Human beings” which was beautifully summarized. Diversity of Faith across the world should result in the formulation of a common action programme to manage efficiently and restore back the environment.  Faith has the potential to bring together people of a given faith. How to regulate the mind as thoughts are polluted, and the root cause of all pollution is this.  Some vital suggestions include reverse vending machine could be placed in religious institutions and tourism and synthesis of scientific knowledge and religious beliefs can be a tool to restore mother earth.