Spotlights ~ Episode 46, Religion and Climate Change
This week’s episode is a remix of previous interviews with guests who have written books that explore religious perspectives on climate change. First, we hear from Andreas Karelas, executive director of RE-volv — a nonprofit organization that empowers communities to invest in solar energy — and author of Climate Courage: How Tackling Climate Change Can Build Community, Transform the Economy, and Bridge the Political Divide in America (Beacon Press, 2020). The next guest is David Haberman, Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, and author of Understanding Climate Change Through Religious Lifeworlds (Indiana University Press, 2021). Third, we hear from Robin Globus Veldman, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Texas A&M University, and author of The Gospel of Climate Skepticism: Why Evangelical Christians Oppose Action on Climate Change (UC Press, 2019). Links to each guest’s full episode: Andreas Karelas: https://youtu.be/I0e-xIzWKW0 David Haberman: https://youtu.be/xnonKkOL6go Robin Veldman: https://youtu.be/0FDglcseT5Y More information on religion and climate change is available at the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology website: https://fore.yale.edu/Climate-Emergency

You can also access the SPOTLIGHTS series as audio podcasts by going here. 
Watch all episodes of Spotlights from our archive page. 

UNEP: Faith for Earth Initiative

The mission of Faith for Earth is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.  On May 4, 2020 UNEP Faith for Earth announced a partnership with the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology. See our Faith for Earth page for further information.

Interfaith Rainforest Initiative

The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI) is an international, multi-faith alliance that works to bring moral urgency and faith-based leadership to global efforts to end tropical deforestation. They provide a platform for religious leaders to work hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples, governments, civil society organizations and businesses on actions that protect rainforests and safeguard the indigenous peoples that serve as their guardians. Read more.

Parliament of the World’s Religions Climate Action Task Force

The Parliament of the World’s Religions, acting with the leadership of its Climate Action Task Force, seeks to encourage and enable collective and individual action to reduce and counter the adverse impacts of human-caused climate change. Read more.

Religions for Peace

Religions for Peace is where the world’s religions join together to ensure that all people enjoy peace, harmony, and prosperity. We are more than an organisation. For 50 years, Religions for Peace has been a movement changing the world and challenging the status quo through our mutual conviction that religions are more powerful, inspiring, and impactful when they work together. Read more.

Greenfaith

Center for Earth Ethics

The Center for Earth Ethics envisions a world where value is measured according to the sustained well-being of all people and our planet. They work to cultivate the public consciousness needed to make changes in policy and culture that will establish a new value system based on this vision. Their four core programs are: Eco-ministry; Environmental Justice & Civic Engagement; Original Caretakers; and Sustainability & Global Affairs. Read more

Laudato Si’

On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis released the encyclical letter, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. In it the Pope proposes an integral approach to ecology, economics, and equity for the wellbeing of both people and the planet. The Pope’s encyclical is indicative of the increasing relevance and the planetary scope of religion and ecology, especially as it relates to ecojustice.

Please see our Laudato Si’ section for full information on the encyclical.

Go here to read the full text of the document on the Vatican site.

Please also see the Yale article on Pope Francis and the Encyclical and the full video of the Yale 2015 event: Pope Francis and the Environment: Why His New Climate Encyclical Matters.

Laudato Si’ Week 2020 was celebrated May 16-24, 2020. There were many webinars for this event, including one by Mary Evelyn Tucker on the topic of “Eco-spirituality: Deepening our Communion with Creation.” Select video from Laudato Si’ Week 2021 is also available  

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development held a Special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year from May 24, 2020 – May 24, 2021.