Enlisting the Support Enlisting the Support of Communities of Faith of Communities of Faith in the Environmental in the Environmental

MovementMovementA Religious Response to

Global Warming

Katy Hinman, PhD

Why should the faith Why should the faith community care?community care?

• All major religions have an ethic of environmental responsibility– Christianity– Judaism– Islam– Hinduism– Buddhism

Conflicts and TensionsConflicts 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 What do faith communities have to communities have to

offer?offer?• A forum for education

A Forum for EducationA 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 What do faith communities have to communities have to

offer?offer?• A forum for education• A location for environmentally sustainable practices

A Location for PracticeA 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 What do faith communities have to communities have to

offer?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 SourceA 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 SourceA 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 SourceA 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 SourceA 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 So How Do You Get Faith Communities Involved?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 ExampleAn 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 Georgia Interfaith Power & LightPower & 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 What individual faith communities are doingcommunities 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 EffortsNational 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 OrganizationsOther 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

ChallengesChallenges

• 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!

OpportunitiesOpportunities

• 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