Enlisting the Support of Communities of Faith in the Environmental Movement A Religious Response to Global Warming Katy Hinman, PhD

Why should the faith community care? All major religions have an ethic of environmental responsibility –Christianity –Judaism –Islam –Hinduism –Buddhism

Conflicts and Tensions Distrust/blaming of the faith community –e.g. Lynn White Political ideologies Religious anthropocentrism Different motivators Environmentalism as a “rich person’s cause” Separation between the physical and the spiritual

What do faith communities have to offer? A forum for education

A Forum for Education “Captive” audience –Pre-existing forums and programs A community that cares about each other A community with influence Authority figures

What do faith communities have to offer? A forum for education A location for environmentally sustainable practices

A Location for Practice Environmental sustainability within congregational space –Building and grounds –Green churches –Energy conservation –Recycling Sustainability within congregant homes –Environmentally responsible practices

What do faith communities have to offer? A forum for education A location for environmentally sustainable practices A power source –Theological grounding –Drive for justice –Community focus –Political concerns

A Power Source Theological grounding –Faith basis for environmental responsibility (creation care) –Ethic of stewardship of resources (financial and natural) –Awe and wonder –Hope vs. despair / powerlessness

A Power Source Drive for justice –Care for “the least of these” - preferential option for the poor –Eco-justice concerns Environmental justice and civil rights Environmental refugees Environmental missions –Health and well-being

A Power Source Community focus –Churches and congregations as centerpieces of communities –Building and sustaining healthy communities –Potential for making links between organizations and persons –Humility

A Power Source Politics –Separation of church and state? –Public support –Publicity –Political influence of religious organizations –Religious faith of political leaders –Political action of individuals within faith communities

So How Do You Get Faith Communities Involved? Don’t expect miracles (at least not right away) Approach through members of the community or faith tradition Build working groups or teams Tap into people’s strengths and interests Connect with work the community is already involved in Don’t forget about faith!

An Example Interfaith Power & Light Getting communities of faith involved in a religious response to global warming Focus on energy issues –Energy efficiency –Conservation –Sustainable generation –Policies

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light Mission: –To engage communities of faith in stewardship of God’s creation as a direct reflection of our faithfulness through worship, education, and the sustainable generation and efficient use of energy. Programming –Power Lite Congregational Actions Individual Actions

What individual faith communities are doing One for Each Night / Preparing for a New Light Congregation Bet Haverim –Carbon neutral High Holidays St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal –Energy audit –Home performance with Energy Star –Education –Stewardship campaign

National Efforts IPL USA and The Regeneration Project –Other states: green building green power education outreach sales of energy efficient products –Nationally: policy youth involvement emissions tracking media

Other Organizations National Religious Partnership for the Environment –COEJL - Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life –National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Working Group –US Conference of Catholic Bishops –Evangelical Environmental Network Interfaith Climate Change Network Eco-Justice Ministries Earth Ministry Web of Creation

Challenges Weak or non-existent links made between religious and environmental concerns Political barriers Lack of awareness and education Conflicts with other ministries Low clergy support People aren’t trying it!

Opportunities Behavior changes come from inward change Support from a broader base of people and communities Outreach to new audiences - evangelism New perspectives Hope and celebration