Ogun State and Environmental Pollution: The Place of the Church

Abstract

Climate disasters are on the rise with pollution as one of the major causes. 
Around 70 per cent of disasters are now climate related – up from around 50 
per cent for more than two decades ago. The study explored the issue of 
environmental crises which is one of the major concerns for humanity. These 
environmental pollution related disasters take a heavier human toll and come 
with high impact. The cost of responding to such disasters has risen tenfold 
between 1992 and 2008. Destructive sudden heavy rains, intense tropical 
storms, repeated flooding and droughts are likely to increase, as will the 
vulnerability of local communities in the absence of strong concerted action 
from all quarters. Therefore, this paper concluded that an environmental and 
ecological crisis, pollution in particular, demands the active role of the Church 
for solution in such a way that it will foster development. To tackle these 
identified environmental pollutions and its attendant ecological crises like 
depletion, desertification and deforestation, climate changes, drought and 
floods and other natural problems with pollution topping the list threatening 
life on earth, this paper recommended among other things that stemming 
environmental and ecological crisis demands that the Church take into 
account ecological norms as part of the mandate of Jesus in Matthew 28: 19-
20 which is to preach the good news.