Sofia Oreland: Pathfinding amid climate catastrophe: Faith-based activists in South Africa and Sweden

Abstract

Despite a strong scientific consensus on the need for systemic change to secure a liveable future, political inaction hampers effective responses, creating uncertainty about how to navigate the climate catastrophe. This study explores how climate activists in South Africa and Sweden, rooted in their religious faith, navigate the climate catastrophe by advocating political action and engaging in various forms of activism. Based on interviews with faith-based climate activists in South Africa and Sweden, this research highlights the role of theological reflection and practices in shaping and sustaining climate action in diverse socio-cultural contexts.

The findings show that what initiates this activism is experience-based climate knowledge, such as direct observation of environmental impacts or understanding through popular science and training. Nevertheless, a sense of spiritual relatedness to and reliance on God, others, nature, and self serves as the primary compass guiding their ongoing journey. Among the South African activists, this relational spirituality also includes a connection to ancestors, and is characterised by collective spirituality, contrasting with the more individual spiritual experiences of Swedish activists. In both contexts, activists' relational spirituality is more influential in their activism than specific theological beliefs. However, climate activism can serve as a space for reinterpretation of theological concepts. Moreover, climate activism in both contexts could be understood as a manifestation of holistic theologies, in which transcendent realities and worldly matters are inseparable. This reflects more of an orthopraxy (correct action) than orthodox belief, emphasising action-based knowing of the divine. 

This study suggests that religious faith can foster climate resilience, evidenced in the South African material, in which reliance on God provides stability beyond individual comfort, empowering the development of climate-resilient communities. In the Swedish context, faith serves as a catalyst for creativity, fostering innovative pathways towards sustainability, focusing on reduced fossil fuel emissions and a reorientation towards spiritual interconnectedness and an exploration of beyond material values. 

Although the theological teachings of religious institutions at national and international levels generally align with activists’ holistic theologies, the activists’ theologies create intradenominational tensions locally and limit climate commitment in local faith communities.