Faith-fuelled and faith-filled Climate Action
In 2007, the UK’s Environmental Agency asked 25 environmental activists from a variety of backgrounds, ‘What are the 50 things that can save the planet?’ There was a mix of responses in different spheres – political, technological, philosophical, social and domestic. Some responses would have been expected, others less so and the hierarchy of responses had some surprises: for in second position in this list in terms of numbers of responses – between (1) reducing electricity use and (3) harnessing solar power – was (2) Religious Leaders need to make the planet their priority.
Why should communities of faith have such a prominent position? Here are a few of my thoughts.
The major faith traditions make up 70% of the world’s population – and these faiths contain belief statements that compel us to care for this fragile globe and for each other – care for our common home. These faith traditions are publishing environmental statements and action plans which will influence millions. Many voices carry much weight. (see footnote 1)
People of faith have been activists throughout history: as Christians we are called to seek justice and the past has shown how Christian advocacy and campaigning can have a large impact on the way people are treated, such as abolishing the slave trade or in the Jubilee Debt Campaign.
As Christians, we acknowledge that the world in not ours but God’s creation. We are stewards of that which we do not own, have not created but upon which we are utterly dependent. We have been made to look after the earth. (Gen ch 1 vv 26-30.) Our spiritual values encourage us to respect and care for nature and see ourselves as an integral part of the natural world.
We are motivated by love – for others and for God’s creation of which we are a part. We act, not because we are forced to but because we are compelled by God’s call to us to care for his work and those He loves – especially those who are vulnerable and may not have a voice themselves.
Christians are called to bring the gospel to all parts of the world and so have travelled to the most remote parts of the earth as evangelists and as providers of health, social care and education and therefore are well placed to have an impact across the globe in sharing knowledge of the impact of climate change and how to address its impacts – WDR is a prime example by supporting partners in various countries to share knowledge of how to farm more sustainably as the climate shifts.
Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ was produced in 2015 around the time of the Paris Climate Agreement and gave church communities a renewed sense of purpose in caring for our common home. Since then, many of the promises of the Climate Agreement have been watered down or abandoned. Nations and governments have not lived up to their promises – where short term popularity and gains seem to take precedence over long-term targets. Perhaps it is the turn of civic society and faith communities to take the long view and the lead.
Laudato Si has continued to have an impact. In October, I heard a report from Alex Wimberly, Leader of the Corrymeela Community, who attended this year’s ‘Raising Hope’ conference in Rome, following up 10 years after the publication of ‘Laudato Si’. He was encouraged by the realisation that so many people wanted to be there, whether people of faith, policy makers or scientists. They saw the Church and the Pope as an ally, an effective uniter of peoples around this issue. Faith communities do have an impact and a role.
As people of faith, we are inspired and strengthened and called to act. As Christians we are also people of hope, filled with hope and bringing hope to others. May we, in our actions as individuals and as communities bring hope and change and fulfil our role as stewards of God’s marvellous creation.
Footnote:
(1) taken from United Nations environment programme
https://www.unep.org/al-mizan-covenant-earth
In 2024 ‘Al Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth’ was published. It presents an Islamic outlook of the environment in a bid to strengthen local, regional, and international actions that combat climate change and other threats to the planet. Environmentalism is deeply embedded in the practice of Islam. It is about personal behaviour and how it manifests itself in association with others and also about being considerate in relationships with the natural world and other sentient beings. (1)
First published in the Methodist Newsletter.