Christian perspectives on the effects of environmental degradation on human settlement:a case of Juba,South Sudan

Abstract

The main thrust of this research methodology is to bridge the concept of Christian perspectives on the environmental challenges created by deforestation in South Sudan in Juba County. In this County the environment is in danger because of the misuse and mismanagement of what God created. God commanded man to have “dominion” over everything that was on the earth. Dominion, according to the researcher, is authority, rulership and stewardship that are to have control of everything. This meant that they had to act as God Himself in caring, guarding and controlling what happens on the earth. The Scripture in Genesis 1.28 made it clear that Adam was given authority not to destroy but to care subdue the land and everything in it as a good steward. The study investigated the effect of environmental degradation on human settlement. The aspects that were investigated were deforestation, overgrazing, and destruction of wetland. The research was interested to find how these aspects have affected soil erosion, crop production and reduced forest resources. The researcher used quantitative methods and qualitative methods questionnaire, interviews and Focus Group Discussions to get to know about the environmental changes as possible. The result was organized in narratives supported with pictures and other images. The information was interpreted to capture the environmental trends and impact it had on food, shelter, education and health. Field research of this study was conducted over four week’s period from 4th April to 10th May 2015. A non-probability sample method was used to collect data. The study purposively selected two hundred and forty respondents to present the entire target population of two hundred and forty. Questionnaires, focus group discussion and secondary data were unutilized to inform the study. The study used simple statistical techniques to analyse the data collected. The finding of the study revealed that there are need to make policy and form environmental committees at Kator Juba South Sudan. An integration of this law and policy will bring good environmental awareness to the community to meet their needs and improve their effectiveness living in Kator. This study shall investigate the biblical and theological foundations which are the essential to sound environmental stewardship; briefly review the human progress erected on those foundations; and discuss some of the more important environmental concerns some quite serious on the effects of environmental degradation on human settlement that require attention from this Christian perspectives. This research shall also set forth a vision for environmental stewardship that is wiser and more biblical than that of mainstream environmentalism, one that puts faith and reason to work simultaneously for people and ecology, that attends to the demands of human well-being and the integrity of creation.