Climate Change: Fueling Religious Conflict?

Climate change is an urgent threat that poses a moral and ethical dilemma for people of faith. Religious communities have the potential to play a significant role in addressing this crisis through their influence and ability to mobilise followers towards environmental activism. However, the question arises: does climate change fuel religious conflict? While religious groups have been actively involved in the environmental movement, there are differing views within these groups regarding the causes and severity of climate change, with some expressing scepticism and others taking a proactive approach. The complex interplay between religious beliefs, values, and environmental issues can shape how different faiths respond to the challenges posed by a changing climate.

Religious groups' views on climate change

Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing humanity, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions, especially the poor and vulnerable. Religious communities have the potential to play a crucial role in driving impactful action against it. As stewards of creation with moral authority, they can educate and mobilise their members towards environmental activism, collaborating across faiths and with scientists to amplify calls for climate justice.

The Role of Religious Communities

Religious traditions often teach environmental stewardship and social justice, and they have significant influence over their followers. According to a 2020 study, religious affiliation relates to greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and gross domestic product on a global scale. Faith-based institutions own almost 8% of habitable land and are the world's third-largest financial investors.

Religious communities can contribute to the fight against climate change by:

• Educating their members about climate change's causes, consequences, and the moral duty to act.
• Advocating for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, protect biodiversity, and support adaptation.
• Divesting from fossil fuels and investing in green alternatives.
• Implementing sustainability measures in their institutions, such as reducing energy consumption and waste generation.
• Engaging in interfaith dialogue and cooperation, sharing best practices, and building solidarity.
• Participating in environmental movements and campaigns to mobilise people of different faiths.
• Supporting grassroots initiatives that address the needs of communities affected by climate change.

Views of Specific Religious Groups

Evangelical Protestants in the US are the most likely of all major religious groups to express scepticism about climate change. Only about a third attribute global warming to human activity, while similar shares attribute it to natural patterns or remain unsure. They are also the least likely to view it as an extremely serious problem.

Hispanic Catholics are more likely to say the Earth is warming due to human activity, and most view it as a serious problem.

Black Protestants largely share these views, with over half saying climate change is caused by human activity.

White Mainline Protestants are less likely to see climate change as primarily due to human activity, with less than half expressing this view.

White Evangelical Protestants are the least likely to hold this view, with less than a third agreeing.

Atheists and Agnostics consistently express the highest levels of concern about climate change and are the most likely to say it is caused by human activity.

Religious Involvement in Environmental Issues

Clergy and religious organisations have participated in the environmental movement for decades, contributing sermons, sharing papal warnings, lobbying for renewable energy, and issuing interfaith declarations. Popes and patriarchs have brought the Bible and morality into discussions about pollution, biodiversity, overpopulation, and climate change.

The National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) was founded in the US in 1993 to coordinate efforts by Catholic, Evangelical, and Jewish groups to address climate issues. They have sent educational kits to congregations, advised pastors, lobbied politicians, and raised money for environmental causes.

Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) is another organisation that lobbies for local, state, and national environmental issues and manages projects to raise awareness. They have influenced legislation and worked with politicians to pass laws regulating emissions.

Despite these efforts, many religious leaders and groups initially sat out the environmental movement of the 1970s, when pollution and population control were the main priorities, not climate change. Since the 1980s, religious involvement in environmental activism, especially regarding climate change, has increased.

Challenges and Dilemmas

Faith communities face challenges when engaging in environmental action, such as balancing loyalty to their doctrines with openness to other perspectives and avoiding imposing their views on others. They must also consider how to ensure their actions are effective and accountable.

The Way Forward

If faith community leaders, scientists, and stakeholders unite to combat climate change, they can achieve remarkable results. They can increase public awareness, influence political decisions, mobilise resources, strengthen social cohesion, and enhance environmental protection.

People of faith can get involved by learning about climate change, talking to others about it, joining or starting green groups, supporting environmental initiatives, and changing their lifestyles to reduce their environmental impact.

Religious beliefs about Earth and the environment

Many religious traditions have teachings and values that support environmental stewardship and social justice. Most religions agree that nature is an act of divinity and should be treated as such. Spiritual leaders are critical to the success of global solidarity for an ethical, moral, and spiritual commitment to protect the environment.

Baha'i Faith

The Baha'i writings emphasise the importance of harmony between human life and the natural world, imbued with a deep respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all things. Followers of this faith believe that nature is a reflection of the divine and an illustration of the oneness of humanity.

Buddhism

The notion of karma in Buddhism conveys the values of conservation and responsibility for the future. The morality of our actions in the present will shape our character for the future, an idea close to sustainable development.

Christianity

There are about a hundred verses in the Bible that talk about protecting the environment. Christians, therefore, have an environmental responsibility and encourage behavioural change for the good of the future.

Confucianism

Confucianism has influenced the culture, society, economy, and politics of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam for over 2500 years. While there is very little about the relation to nature in the Analects of Confucius, some principles followed in Confucian humanism are related to nature protection and ecology.

Hinduism

Hinduism is a religion deeply rooted in nature. The sacred texts (Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Epics) have many references to divinity related to nature, such as rivers, mountains, trees, animals, and the Earth. To protect them, Hinduism encourages environmental protection.

Islam

Hundreds of verses in the Quran support the protection of the environment. Islam approaches the environment from a stewardship perspective, where humans have been entrusted by God to preserve His creation. The responsibility of humanity is to protect and ensure the unity of God's creation.

Jainism

Originating from India, the main teaching of Jainism is Ahimsa, or non-violence, in all parts of life. Jains focus on a peaceful and disciplined life, with kindness to animals, vegetarianism, and self-restraint with the avoidance of waste being central tenets.

Judaism

In Jewish tradition, the land and environment are properties of God, and it is humankind's duty to take care of them. The book of Genesis proposes that the garden in Eden was the chosen territory selected by God for humans to live.

Shinto

Shinto is a religion based on Kamis, spirits that correspond to natural entities like wind and rocks. It makes the faithful very close to nature to preserve the relation of each person with the spirits. These relations encourage the preservation of the environment.

Sikhi

Sikhi, or Sikhism, views all sentient beings as part of one family. Its wisdom helps reflect upon childhood imprints, distinguish natural needs from desires, embrace a cyclical worldview, and transcend the diaspora of ephemerality while living a dignified, ethical, healthy, and spiritual life as humble guests in harmony with nature and the Divine.

Taoism

Taoism, or Daoism, is an old Chinese religion based on the divine harmony between nature and humanity. The Dao principle consists of "a path" where one finds the appropriate way to behave and to lead others.

Religious Views on Climate Change

A survey by the Pew Research Center found that most Americans say the Earth is getting warmer, with 53% attributing it mostly to human activity. However, evangelical Protestants are the least likely to express this view, with only about a third agreeing. Atheists and agnostics, on the other hand, are the most likely to believe that climate change is caused by human activity.

Religious influence on population growth and resource use

Religion is a powerful force that shapes societies and cultures worldwide, and it has a significant influence on population growth and resource use. Religious growth can impact neighbouring lands, leading to changes in various aspects of the geographical landscape. Here are some ways in which religion influences population growth and resource use:

Population Dynamics and Urban Development

Religious growth can influence population distribution and urban development. Migration patterns may change as people move to areas with strong religious communities or pilgrimage sites, leading to population growth in these regions. Urban areas may develop around religious centres, attracting businesses and services to meet the needs of the growing population.

Environmental Impact

Religious groups can have both positive and negative environmental impacts. Sacred natural sites, such as mountains, rivers, or forests, are often protected from development or degradation due to their religious significance, preserving valuable ecosystems. On the other hand, some religious practices may lead to unsustainable resource use, such as overexploitation of water for religious rituals or deforestation for constructing religious structures.

Socio-economic Impact

The presence of religious sites can boost local economies through religious tourism, creating job opportunities and generating revenue. Religious organisations often engage in charitable activities, providing social services such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. Additionally, religious beliefs and practices can influence social norms and values, impacting the rights and roles of different groups within a society.

Religious Conversion and Population Growth

Religions spread through various means, including conversion, trade and travel, conquest, and migration. Religious conversion can lead to population growth in certain regions as people adopt new faiths. For example, the spread of a religion with higher fertility rates into an area with low fertility rates can increase the overall fertility rate of that region.

Religious Influence on Resource Use

Different religions have varying teachings and values regarding environmental stewardship. These values can influence how followers utilise natural resources. For instance, a religion that emphasises simplicity and harmony with nature may encourage followers to reduce their consumption and environmental impact. Conversely, a religion that promotes material wealth and earthly pleasures may lead to increased resource consumption and environmental degradation.

In conclusion, religion has a significant influence on population growth and resource use. It impacts migration patterns, urban development, environmental practices, and socio-economic dynamics. Religious teachings and values shape followers' attitudes and behaviours towards the environment, contributing to either sustainable or unsustainable resource use. Understanding the complex relationship between religion and population and resource management is crucial for addressing global challenges, such as climate change and environmental conservation.

Religious influence on climate change activism

Religious communities have a crucial role to play in addressing climate change, as they possess significant influence and potential to mobilise their followers towards environmental activism. By collaborating across faiths and with scientists, religious groups can amplify calls for climate justice, promote sustainable lifestyles, and exert pressure on governments through advocacy.

The Role of Religious Communities in Climate Change Activism

Educating and Mobilising Followers

As stewards of creation with moral authority, religious communities can educate and mobilise their members towards environmental activism. They can raise awareness about the causes and consequences of climate change, emphasising the moral duty to act. By collaborating with scientists, religious groups can also help translate scientific knowledge into actionable steps for their followers.

Advocating for Policy Changes

Religious communities can advocate for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, protect biodiversity, and support adaptation and resilience. They can lobby governments and policymakers to prioritise climate action and influence political decisions that support a low-carbon future.

Leading by Example

Faith-based institutions own almost 8% of the world's habitable land surface and are significant financial investors. By implementing sustainability measures within their own institutions, such as reducing energy consumption and waste generation, they can lead by example. This includes using eco-friendly products, supporting local farmers, and adopting sustainable practices for religious pilgrimages and gatherings.

Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation

Engaging in interfaith dialogue and cooperation allows religious communities to share best practices, resources, and experiences. It fosters solidarity and trust among different faiths, working together towards a common goal. This collaboration can also extend to environmental movements and campaigns, mobilising people of diverse faiths for collective action.

Supporting Grassroots Initiatives

Religious communities can provide crucial support to grassroots initiatives and projects, especially in developing countries, that address the needs and challenges of communities affected by climate change. This can include financial support, raising awareness, and providing practical assistance to vulnerable communities.

Challenges and Dilemmas

While religious communities have the potential to drive impactful action on climate change, they also face challenges and dilemmas. These include balancing loyalty to their doctrines with openness to other perspectives, reconciling differences in beliefs and practices, and ensuring their actions are effective and do not cause unintended harm. Careful reflection, dialogue, humility, and creativity are necessary to navigate these challenges effectively.

Religious communities have a unique and powerful role to play in addressing climate change. By leveraging their influence and moral authority, they can educate, inspire, and mobilise their followers towards environmental activism. Through collaboration, advocacy, and leading by example, religious groups can make a significant contribution to the global effort to combat climate change and create a more sustainable future.

Religious influence on environmental policies

Religion has a significant influence on people's views and behaviours towards the environment, and thus plays a role in shaping environmental policies. Religious groups can advocate for specific policies and practices that address climate change and environmental protection. Here are some ways in which religion influences environmental policies:

Religious Teachings and Values

Many religious traditions have teachings and values that support environmental stewardship and social justice. The concept of stewardship is prevalent across various faiths, reflecting the belief that God created the Earth, and humans have a responsibility to care for His creations. This perspective often translates into a sense of duty to protect the environment. For example, the Christian Evangelical Environment Network aims to reduce pollution and environmental degradation based on the theological belief in God's creation. Similarly, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, has urged Catholics and all people to address issues such as pollution, climate change, biodiversity, and global inequality.

Political and Social Influence

Religious groups can exert influence through their political and social engagement. For instance, religious organisations in the United States have collaborated with the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives to address the effects of climate change. Additionally, religious groups can lobby and advocate for policies that align with their values. The Islamic Climate Change Symposium, for instance, adopted the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, demonstrating Islam's commitment to environmental protection.

Grassroots Action and Education

Religious communities can play a crucial role in educating their members about climate change and inspiring them to take action. They can raise awareness about the causes and consequences of climate change and emphasise the moral duty to act. For example, the Extinction Rebellion Muslims, a transnational network of Muslim activists, host seminars and campaigns against environmental destruction. By collaborating with scientists and other faith groups, religious communities can amplify their calls for climate justice and model sustainable lifestyles.

Interfaith Collaboration

Interfaith dialogue and cooperation are essential in addressing global environmental challenges. Initiatives such as the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative bring together religious leaders, indigenous peoples, scientists, and conservationists to protect tropical forests. The Green Pilgrimage Network, meanwhile, promotes environmentally friendly practices during pilgrimages. These interfaith efforts demonstrate the potential for diverse religious groups to work together and influence environmental policies.

Shaping Public Opinion and Behaviour

Religion influences the public's perception of climate change and their willingness to take action. People's religious beliefs can shape their views on whether climate change is human-caused or related to forces beyond human control. Additionally, religious affiliation can impact consumption patterns and the use of natural resources. For example, a study found that nations with more religious inhabitants tended to use fewer resources but had lower capacity to address environmental challenges due to poverty and population growth.

In conclusion, religious influence on environmental policies is multifaceted and far-reaching. Religious groups can shape public opinion, advocate for specific policies, and mobilise their members towards environmental activism. Their influence extends from the individual level to global collaborations, impacting both local and international environmental policies.

Frequently asked questions