The role of religious leaders on the impact of climate change on health

Abstract

Religious leaders play an important role in increasing religious awareness of the environmental crisis and its solutions. Climate change is the biggest threat to human life, causing direct and indirect impacts on health. Therefore, religious teachings can be used to protect the environment by emphasizing the role and responsibility of humans on the earth and influencing religious people to maintain the balance of the earth for the survival of the next generation. To determine the role and activities of religious leaders on the impact of climate change on health. We conducted a literature review of the English literature published between 2019 and 2021 using Clinical Key, Scopus, Science Direct, and ProQuest. PRISMA 2009 checklist guideline was used and also appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. Results: 381 articles were identified from databases. After reviewing titles and abstracts to ensure the articles related to the subject met the selection criteria, only 7 articles met all requirements and were included in the review. Data suggests that the roles of religious leaders are: teaching the importance of environmental education and cooperating with non-governmental organizations to promote ecosystem maintenance, providing advice to the congregation to always preserve the marine ecosystem. The impact of climate change on health makes us aware that the challenge of humanity is our actions that have a negative impact on health. Religious leaders have an important role in collaborating, educating and inviting people to realize the importance of maintaining the health of the planet.