The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 鈥� National Capital Region (NCMF-NCR) recently held their 1st Climate Change Adaptation Summit and Annual MCC Convention with the theme 鈥淢uslim Filipinos as Stewards of the Environment and Community鈥� last September 22, 2024 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center. During the event, Asst. Prof. Shea Kathleen P. Guinto, PhD of the College of Science – Department of Biological Sciences served as one of the panelists during the session entitled 鈥淚slam, the Environment, and Muslim Perception on Climate Change鈥� which followed a short lecture on the Islamic Principles of Environmental Stewardship and Muslim Perception on Climate Change.
Guinto, who teaches Science, Technology, and Society as well as Environmental Science, shared her expertise and knowledge regarding the basic concepts of climate change and the role of humans in speeding up its processes and effects. The Islamic Principles of Environmental Stewardship include: (1) Oneness with Allah, (2) Humans as Stewards, (3) Balance in Nature, and (4) Public Interest, while Muslim perceptions on climate change include: (1) that it is caused by humans, (2) it is spiritual in nature, (3) there is skepticism caused by conspiracies, (4) that priorities are focused on economic issues instead of environmental concerns, and (5) that there are regional variations in the understanding of climate change. Guinto shared the science behind these perceptions and helped clarify some misconceptions by providing science-based support to current activities toward climate change adaptations that were raised during event.
The participation of Guinto was made possible through the invitation of Dr. Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos, Jr. Director of the NCMF-NCR Regional Office to the UST College of Science to participate in this event. This highlights and recognizes the need for inter-religious and multi-sectoral efforts for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Philippines.
