In October, Professor Adil Najam delivered a series of influential lectures on climate change adaptation and faith-based action at the University of Cambridge and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. He introduced the ‘Age of Adaptation,’ highlighted nature-based solutions in Pakistan, and examined the role of faith in motivating climate behavior, particularly within Muslim societies.
Professor Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus and Professor of International Relations and Earth and Environment at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, recently delivered a series of impactful lectures on climate change at esteemed UK institutions during October. His presentations addressed essential themes related to climate change adaptation and the role of faith in motivating climate action. On October 10, Professor Najam presented two significant talks at the University of Cambridge, starting with his presentation entitled “Climate and Development in the Age of Adaptation” at the Attenborough Center for the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI). This lecture garnered considerable interest, attracting a standing-room-only audience comprising both faculty and students. In his address, he introduced the concept of the ‘Age of Adaptation,’ asserting that the pressing realities of climate change necessitate immediate actions that extend beyond mere emission control. He emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures, especially in vulnerable developing nations that have contributed the least to this global crisis. Following this, Professor Najam delivered a second talk at the UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), where he discussed nature-based climate solutions within the context of Pakistan. He shared insights from his leadership of the “Living Indus Initiative,” a project he conceptualized and which has recently been integrated into Pakistan’s climate adaptation policy, earning recognition as UNEP’s ‘Flagship Climate Project’ award. On October 14, Professor Najam further engaged with the academic community at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) through a presentation titled “Can Faith Motivate Better Climate Behavior?” Addressing yet another full audience of students, researchers, and faculty, he examined the limitations of relying exclusively on scientific and economic incentives for climate action. He advocated for incorporating values and faith-based perspectives to galvanize climate-conscious behaviors, with a pronounced focus on water conservation within Muslim societies. This presentation was part of Professor Najam’s broader initiative, the ‘Faith and Climate Change’ project, which he leads at the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future in collaboration with OCIS. Additional details and photographs from both the Cambridge and Oxford presentations are available on request.
Climate change has emerged as one of the most critical global challenges of our time, affecting ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide, particularly in developing nations that are less responsible for its onset. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to address climate adaptation strategies, beyond merely focusing on reducing emissions. This shift includes exploring diverse motivational frameworks for climate action, including faith-based approaches, that resonate with cultural and social values. Professor Adil Najam’s lectures at Cambridge and Oxford reflect these emerging discussions within the academic sphere, emphasizing the need to generate adaptive strategies and invoke deeper considerations of moral responsibility and societal values in climate action.
In conclusion, Professor Adil Najam’s lectures at Cambridge and Oxford underscore the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to climate change, emphasizing both adaptation strategies and the potential of faith-based motivations. His work illustrates how academic discourse can play a significant role in shaping responses to climate challenges, particularly in vulnerable regions, by advocating for integrated solutions that resonate with local values and contexts. Such initiatives are essential for fostering a more profound commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices across diverse communities.
Original Source: www.bu.edu
