Climate Change
This is our summary report. Our full report on climate change is coming soon.
Written by Shilpita Matthews
Why focus on this problem?
The IPCC projects that the impacts of climate change, or more specifically, going from 1.5 degrees of global warming to 2 degrees could have catastrophic effects such as:
1.7 billion more people experience severe heatwaves at least once every five years
up to several hundred million more people become exposed to climate-related risks and poverty
Passing critical biodiversity tipping points, such as a 99% decline in the world’s coral reefs
From the inundation of the Pacific Islands, making entire communities climate refugees, to farmers’ suicides in India, due to drought and agricultural loss, we are reminded that sin has tarnished our relationship with our planet and is impacting the most vulnerable in society. It’s easy for many of us to disengage when hearing about the sheer magnitude of the problem, or even dismiss climate change in view of the Biblical view of the new earth and new heaven.
However, in the Bible Jesus tells us the most important commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors. Addressing climate change is vital to both – honoring God by being good stewards of his creation and loving our global neighbors who are hit first and worst by the climate crisis.
Our overall view
Often Recommended
We think many of our readers should consider working on and/or donating to this issue.
What is our recommendation based on?
Biblical themes:
As the Christian charity ARocha points out, there are four main principles for why Christians should care about climate change:
Love: Creation reveals the beauty of its Creator. In Genesis 1, the Lord made the heavens, seas, fields, and forests who worship Him (Psalm 96: 11-13; Psalms 40).
Obedience: Christians are called to obey God in every part of their lives. In the Bible, God asks that men and women take responsibility for creation (Genesis 1; Leviticus 25:2; Exodus 23:10-11).
Hope: We are in in-between times. Today, we groan alongside all of creation, and alongside the Spirit, as we await the restoration of our planet (Romans 8). Yet, despite this climate grief, we do not despair, as Psalm 96:13 assures us, “He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness”. The Lord is a just God, and his eternal vision encompasses environmental justice.
Justice: God wants all people to be actively involved in this great plan to redeem the whole of creation. Colossians 1:19–20 says this: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. The Lord is a just God, and his eternal vision encompasses environmental justice.
Bruce Friedrich argues that innovation in plant-based meat production is essential to reducing carbon emissions.
Christian tradition:
Christianity has long experienced the call to wonder at, value and protect God’s creation. From William Carey, who is known as the father of horticulture in India, to John Wesley, who was an animal rights advocate and vegetarian, Christians have led the environmental movement for centuries.
In other spheres of work, prominent evangelical Christian scientists such as Sir John Houghton, ex-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and winner of the Nobel Prize, and Katherine Hayhoe, an American climate scientist and environmental activist, all understand their work to protect the planet as part of their worship to God.
Katherine Hayhoe is a leading American climate scientist and environmental activist who understands her work to protect the planet as part of her Christian calling.
Strong secular evidence:
The sixth report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land”.
80,000 Hours rates reducing extreme risks from climate change as one of the eight biggest priority areas.
What are common theological arguments against it being pressing?
Some common questions include:
Isn’t the world going to end anyway?
Over one in three evangelical Christians say there is “no solid evidence” that climate change is happening and among Christians, there is a wide range of beliefs concerning apocalyptic events. Those who believe humanity is living in its last days may be less concerned about the dangers of climate change. In response, there are numerous theological arguments presenting a comprehensive case for creation care and its alignment with eschatology, or the end of times. This presents not only an intergenerational vision, but an eternal vision for the world.
Are climate professionals trying to play God?
Climate solutions are often deemed to usurp God’s power, particularly ideas like geo-engineering. Whilst criticism is healthy, human environmental stewardship is different from divine sovereignty. Fighting for climate justice is out of reverence for the Creator and His world as opposed to insolence against His will.
These responses are adapted from a blog by Operation Noah titled “Are Faith and Climate Action Compatible?”.
Top ways to make an impact
Our mission as God’s ambassadors is to see His kingdom come here on earth, right now. So how will you respond today?
Pray and reflect more on the call to environmental stewardship.
Plan a career in climate advocacy, research, or innovation, see the Effective Environmentalism career guide.
Pursue any meaningful career and take the Giving What We Can pledge with donations going towards effective climate charities, like the Founders Pledge Climate Fund.
Engage in Christian-based climate action and mobilisation, through organisations such as YCCN, YECA, Operation Noah, Green Christian, A Rocha and more, find a list of faith members of the climate coalition here.
Take personal climate action, see this list of top 10 actions by the UNEP or this lifestyle list from the Founder’s Pledge
