Interfaith Conference Engages Young Faith Leaders on Climate Change
By Rebekah Ramlow
Duke Divinity School
January 2023
Climate change a “spiritual, moral, and ethical crisis”
A January conference on climate change hosted at Duke University brought young faith leaders together to learn from Duke faculty and others, look to their own faith traditions for guidance and hope, and share strategies for responding to the climate crisis.
Highlighting Duke’s role as a unique place of intersection in both climate education and spiritual formation, the event brought together faculty from Duke Divinity School and the Sanford School of Public Policy, with educational sessions on climate change, economics, environmental law, and faith. Attendees included young faith leaders from 20 countries, representing Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish faith traditions, and countries including Ghana, Burkina Faso, India, Bangladesh, Colombia, Philippines, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the United States, and the Netherlands. Participants included elected representatives, faith leaders, eco-activists, climate entrepreneurs, sustainability experts, researchers, and policy advocates.