Overview

Global Warming is the seminal issue of our time. How we respond will determine what will happen to our planet. People of faith are increasingly concerned about this issue and are responding in positive ways. Therefore, building bridges to the faith community should be a major goal of all climate activists.

Why do people of faith care about global warming?

There are two main reasons why people of faith care about the global warming:

1. Protecting Creation -- Religions all over the world agree that it is part of their moral responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation. The following are from scriptures:

• “See to it that you do not destroy my world, for there is no one to repair it after you.” (Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13)
• “Greater indeed than the creation of humankind is the creation of the heavens and the earth.” (Qur’an 40:57)

By respecting the planet, people of faith are showing deference and love toward God.

2. Pursuing Justice for all -- It’s not just super heroes who care about justice, but people of faith care about other people and want to protect them. According to the scriptures: “Justice, justice you shall pursue. “ Deuteronomy (16:20)

Religions from all over the world are active in fighting poverty. Global warming will hurt the poor the most. Pope Benedict XVI recently stated, “In particular, environmental degradation makes poor people's existence intolerable." Many people of faith are engaging in actions to reduce global warming, to prevent an even more desperate situation for the poor, all over the world.

Faith and the Climate Protection Movement

There are several different organizations which specifically work to engage the faith community to stop climate change. One group is the Interfaith Power and Light movement founded in 2001 by the Regeneration Project. It now has 18 state affiliates. This campaign works on the grassroots level to help congregations and people of faith take practical steps to reduce their impact on global warming.

In October 2006, the Regeneration Project engaged over 4,000 congregations across the country in educational showings of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”. Congregations discussed the film and used it as an opportunity to begin or strengthen campaigns to “green” their congregation. These campaigns consist of increasing energy efficiency, purchasing clean energy and advocating to elected officials. This is a growing movement which all climate activists can help nurture.

Why organize the faith community

People of faith are a prime group to include in working to stop global warming. People of faith are already organized. Eighty-one percent of the U.S. adult population identifies with some religion. By educating and inspiring people in this community, you will be able to gain access to their vast networks. People of faith are at work on the issue of global warming from a moral framework. This enables them to talk to and inspire others to join the climate protection movement. Finally, people of faith have a history of organizing around critical issues. The abolition of slavery and the promotion of women’s suffrage were both issues that the religious community helped to win. Imagine what the religious community could do with an issue like global warming.

How to organize the faith community

There are several key factors to keep in mind when organizing any group of people, especially people of faith. You have to know your audience, identify decision makers, know how centrally organized the denomination is, and construct a compelling message. You should also know what is going to help your campaign. Do you need more people or do you need more spokespeople? Does a large congregation or network of congregations meet your needs? Or do you just need religious leaders who can strengthen your message? In general, it is good to get a “cheerleader” from each target congregation. They will be helpful incorporating their network into your case.

The Presbyterian church, for example, has already passed a resolution calling on all members to be climate neutral. This is a perfect item to incorporate into a message. You can use it to approach a minister or a member of a local congregation. The member of the local congregation can help you speak to the minister and the other members of the congregation. The minister can also help in reaching other Presbyterian churches in the area.

To take another example, the Coalition on Environment and Jewish Life is an independent organization which has put environmentalism on the Jewish agenda. They have connections within local congregations and the various Jewish movements. Working with them will allow you to gain access to the Jewish community and navigate its various organizations. Furthermore, your cause can gain credibility by being associated with them.

Conclusions

People of faith are ready, willing, and already working on global warming. They have a strong desire to protect creation. It is up to us to include them in our work. If we are interested in winning, we must make efforts to include everyone, especially those who are already organized and have previous experience working to better the world.

(Prepared by Allison Fisher, Coordinator, Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light)