Bible & Environment

In my heyday and former life I spent quite some time in Melbourne and Perth. Melbourne, I must say, I consider about the most civilized city on this planet. A beautiful country you live in, I must (must, must) say (again). Here is a link to something that matches what you may be looking for. http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/plantingthefuture/index.shtm l All

best,
peter

Peter Manda
Master of Public Policy Candidate (2009)
Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy and Planning
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Most faith communities in Canada, and I suspect elsewhere, have a strong policy component centred around issues of social and environmental justice, which are featured on their websites. You may find this paper on The Biodiversity Project of interest.

T H E B I O D I V E R S I T Y P R O J E C T
Building Partnerships with the Faith Community:
A Resource Guide for Environmental Groups

http://www.biodiversityproject.org/Building%20Partnerships.pdf

Some of the faith communities and organizations
*United Church of Canada
*Kairos - Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiative

There is an interesting web page that answers the question: Should Christians be concerned about the environment? http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c021.html

In addition - United Methodist Women have several environmental programs that may be of interest. From the group's website: The Bible sends a strong message that being faithful requires just and right relationships with God, other human beings and with the rest of creation. Likewise, the United Methodist Church's Social Principles and numerous General Conference resolutions call for sound stewardship of the earth and environmentally friendly lifestyles that preserve creation for the benefit of present and future generations. United Methodist Women's environmental advocacy responds to this call. United Methodist Women environmental work includes: Joining with other organizations to promote environmental justice, which is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people - regardless of race, ethnicity, income or education level - in environmental decision-making. Green Teams -- a program activating local United Methodist Women members to organize their communities around environmental issues impacting their area. Chlorine-Free Campaign: Converting use of paper and household products to dioxin-free, chlorine-free products. Green Guidance -- a United Methodist Women booklet on how to plan environmentally responsible events. Here is the site URL:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/UMW/work/social-action/environment/?search=green%20team

One more thing - At our state Oklahoma Sustainability Network conference earlier this year, there was an interesting discussion of this topic led by: Mark Y. A. Davies Dean, Wimberly Professor of Social Ethics, 1996- B.A., Oklahoma City University; M.Div., Emory University; Ph.D., Boston University. [email protected]

Laureen Gibson Gilroy,

CFM Recycling Coordinator
Field Customer Services
City of Tulsa Public Works
470 West 23rd Street
Tulsa, OK 74107
Tel: (918) 596-2859
Fax: (918) 596-1869

I was looking for that too, because I'm quite interested in it myself. There's a clergy group called SCOBA that has a good website: http://www.all-creatures.org/living/scoba.html

Also, I'm a member of a very "green church" as well: http://www.uuduluth.org/greensanctuary.htm And we are currently building a new extremely green sanctuary: http://www.uuduluth.org/college_street_proj.htm
The building will recycle and clean its own air with a living wall of plants, a greenroof and underground parking lot to control runoff, and state-of-art environmentally sound heating and cooling, among other features.

Sally

There was an Evangelical minister that spoke on Bill Moyer's show who was very informed - he has started the Evangelical Environment Network www.creationcare.org . I think we should also consider a bumper sticker "What would Noah Do?" when religious people don't think we should save other species! Birth control and over- the-counter medications are getting into our water supply -however - there are other methods of satisfying our sexual needs without recourse to intercourse and those other methods don't result in pregnancy - perhaps we should advocate those methods that do not harm either partner?

Lucille

Hey, thanks, Claire & Peter.

Just wanted to mention that the Adelaide College of Divinity in Australis was behind a five-Volume Earth Bible Project (Norman C. Habel, Series Editor, Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic Press) which discusses the scriptures from six eco-justice principles:

1. The principle of intrinsic worth: The universe, Earth and all its components have intrinsic worth/value.
2. The principle of interconnectedness: Earth is a community of interconnected living things that are mutually dependent on each other for life and survival.
3. The principles of voice: Earth is a subject capable of raising its voice in celebration and against injustice.
4. The principle of purpose: The universe, earth and all its components are opart of a dynamic cosmic desgin within which each piece has a place in the overall goal of that design.
5. The principle of mutual custodianship: Earth is a balanced and diverse domain in which responsible custodians can function as partners, rather than rules, to sustain a balanced and diverse earth community.
6. The principle of resistance: Earth and its components not only suffer from injustices at the hands of humans, but actively resist them in the struggle for justice.

I bought Volume 5: The Earth Story in the New Testament, and am reading it, and ordered Vol. 4: The Earth Story in the Psalms. I was introduced to this series at the Anglican Church's national eco-justice conference here in Canada, which I attended in British Columbia last May. It was a long way to fly from Nova Scotia, but an invaluable exchange of ideas that have continued to be very useful. As a result of the support I received from the local archdiocese, I am expected to be part of the planning of upcoming conference, one of which is planned for Halifax.

--Anna-Maria

Hi Claire,

"The Green Bible" is a paperback that highlights biblical passages relating to stewardship, sustainability, and acknowledgment of the divinity inherent in "God's creation." Written by Stephen B. Scharper and edited by Hilary Cunningham, The Green Bible was originally published in 1993 and republished in 2002. There is another book with the same name that is a fairly generic book of poetry. Scharper's Green Bible is the one that discusses scripture. At one time our local Earth Day group talked about gifting one to every local religious leader. It's hard to find, but still available used. Here's one link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0883448548/ref=dp_olp_1/102-7671650-4060936

Terre
 

http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/10/17/dewitt/

Check this out - Cal was a professor of mine in Graduate School.

The Soul of DeWitt
An interview with environmental scientist and evangelical leader Calvin DeWitt
By David Roberts
17 Oct 2006

No one has worked longer at the intersection of environmental science, evangelical ethics, and practical activism than Calvin DeWitt. Calvin DeWitt. A respected scientist with advanced degrees in biology and zoology, DeWitt spent over 25 years as director of the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies , where he worked to help college students learn the principles of Christian environmental stewardship alongside hard science. He's been one of the prime movers behind almost every significant collaboration between evangelicals, scientists, and politicians, including the much-discussed Evangelical Climate Initiative , a statement from high-profile evangelicals calling for concerted action to battle global warming. Today, DeWitt lives in a home nestled in wetlands south of Madison, where he teaches environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin. I reached him by phone for a chat about evangelical politics, environmental conversion, and creation care.

GO TO THE WEBSITE ABOVE TO READ THE INTERVIEW.

Hi Sally, Anna-Maria, Claire and Peter,

I love the idea of associating religion with environmentalism. Did a MSc research on that topic. It is available online if you are interested.

See: Kolandai, K. (1999) A Spiritual Appeal To Environmental Behaviour: Addressing Global Problems Of Population Growth And Consumption. Masters Thesis, Lund University Sweden. 

Regards,
Komie Komathi Kolandai PhD

Research Topic:
Improving Media Communication of Sustainability and the Environment
Journalism and Mass Communications Department
School of Political Science and Communication
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800,
Christchurch 8020

Thanks for the link, Peter. Brilliant. I spent half of last year in the States looking at media there & American Public Radio is top quality! Thank you also for your thoughts about Australia. I went to college in Melbourne & it is, indeed, a marvellous city.

Warm regards
Claire 

Thanks so much Lucille, Fenton, Sheri, Sally & Peter for all the useful information you've sent me about religion & the environment. I have to get reading! It seems to me this movement is much more developed in the States than in Australia. I can't tell you how useful all that info is...

Warm regards
Claire 

Good evening, Komathi.

Thank you for the link to the thesis. It's a very interesting study. I wonder whether international awareness of religion as a political action medium was invigorated by the Iranian revolution -- though I suppose that inquiry would be off-topic. Nevertheless there is no doubt in my mind that the need to sell and encourage goods for consumption creates asymmetries that trump spiritual values in the short-run -- leaving the question, if spiritual values are trumped in the short-run, will there ever be a long-run?

Thank you!
Peter Manda

Master of Public Policy Candidate (2009)
Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy and Planning
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

I would look at websites for the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and the Religious Partnership for the Environment. Both groups have lots of material on what you're looking for.

Adi Liberman & Associates

818-349-9183 phone/fax
818-257-0906 mobile
[email protected]
Environmental Government and Public Affairs
Advocacy and Communications

Hi Claire,

It's a pity US television does not match American public radio. I was at an IT Communication (PowerPoint) conference last week in New Orleans. Television on offer ranged from steak knives, toning abs, making money and making money. I'm exaggerating, but I enjoy 5 local channels better than 40 US television channels.

Regards,
Glen Millar

Catchment Education Officer
Planning and Environment Unit
Caboolture Shire Council
PO Box 159, Caboolture, QLD 4510
Tel: 07 5420 0279,
Fax: 07 5420 0193
Mobile: 0438 206 638
Email: [email protected] 

I don't know about research per se, but many religious communities take their responsibility has Christians, Jews, etc., seriously. Caring for the earth and addressing global warming and concomitant issues, such as social justice are of vital concern. See http://www.shalomctr.org/ and http://www.christiansandclimate.org/

Theresa Cross, MS RD CD

Health Educator
Tobacco Prevention and Education Program
Clark County Public Health
1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
Vancouver WA 98661
Mailing Address: PO Box 9825
Vancouver WA 98666-8825
360/397-8000 ext. 7378

To those following the strand on faiths and environment, the note below (from work we are doing in London may be of interest)

Chris Church

Faith in London's environment: towards a sustainable London and a sustainable planet

This short paper is a summary of points made at two discussions meetings held on June 12th at St. Ethelburgas Centre in London. One was a small group discussion with representatives of five faiths; the second was a public discussion with members of seven faiths (a full list is available). The meeting was organised by the London 21 sustainability network with the support of the Conservation Foundation. For more info contact Chris Church of Community Environment Associates.

Building engagement and action
At the core of the meetings were four questions: How can faiths find an effective voice on environmental issues? How can we best mobilize the members of our faiths? How can multi-faith work contribute to environmental change? What message should we give to faith leaders and how can we develop their engagement? A range of issues were raised in the discussions. These are summarised in the sections below:

A matter of faith
Influencing policy and practice
Leadership and the role of activists
Co-operation within and between faiths
Ways forward

A matter of faith

All those involved in these discussions agreed that faiths have a special role to play on confronting both the global and local environmental problems that we face today. The key texts of all the main faiths have powerful messages about the environment and underpinning most of these is the idea of stewardship of the Earth. Faith groups are at one level local community organisations with a national structure, but they have a crucial difference to other community groups in that their common bond is their faith. Faith is helpful to many in confronting major challenges in life, and climate change is certainly one such challenge. Faith can help provide hope and counter despair - one participant wondered if it was possible to tackle climate change without at least some form of faith. Faiths also have a powerful message in terms of confronting the over-consumption that is at the core of many environmental problems - the idea of 'live simply that others may simply live' resonates across many belief systems and does the idea of 'right livelihoods'. Faith organisations have a long history of social engagement and have been crucial in bring about change. It does however appear to be the case that senior figures in many faiths do not yet see environmental issues as a problem where they need to be actively engaged.

Influencing policy and practice

Faith communities and leaders have indeed been influential on national policy but so far there is little sign of that influence being used strategically on environmental issues. Other issues appear to be higher priorities. This was discussed at some length and some of the recommendations emerging are in the final section. Faiths are also hugely influential within their communities. Again faith leaders have not taken a strong lead on these issues apart from a few speeches and papers. Indeed some faith organisations have joined the climate deniers (less so in the UK than some other nations). There is clearly great potential here and unlocking that potential is a task for activist within each faith.

Leadership and the role of activists

The structures of faiths within the UK are very varied. The Christian faiths generally have clear hierarchies but this is less the case with others such as Muslim and Sikh faiths. Decision-making structures are often opaque and in some cases where one person or group has taken it on themselves to speak for their whole faith this has led to controversy. In this situation leadership on environmental issues has come from activists and is leadership by example rather than through established structures. There are organisations active within many faiths, and most were involved in these discussions. Some of this activism has an uneasy relationship with more formal structures within the faiths. It was suggested that activists need to plan carefully to communicate well with those structures and to avoid being marginalised by being seen as oppositional or negative.

Co-operation within and between faiths

Activity within some faiths is well co-ordinated but this is not always the case. In the larger religions there may be individual projects and activists not linked in to the recognised networks. This may be one role for a geographically-focused network such as London 21 which can bring together people and organisation within a specific region. A database and map may help with this, and one suggestion was to add faith-based groups to the London Green Map (www.londongreenmap.org). If there are to be specific policy initiatives within a faith it is important that those leading it spend time promoting it widely at the start to maximise grass roots support. Inter-faith and multi-faith activity offers opportunities to learn from each other and to share ideas and actions. When faith groups are being pulled in many directions by different priorities it is important that those with common environmental concerns work together. There have been many initiatives on this in the past and there is ongoing work but there are capacity issues. Many who would like to work across faiths have a lot to do within their own faith and inter-faith work is extra work on top. At the very least we should seek to ensure that people working within different faiths know what each other are doing and share policy and project ideas and action. Use of existing good practice websites and mechanisms may be one way forward - developing a website to act as a signposting service would be another.

Ways forward
A number of key issues emerged in the discussion:

Resources

There are now more resources available for environmental work within some faiths than there were a few years ago when this was seen as a major obstacle. However this work is still not funded at a very satisfactory level. Project-based work (on education, food-growing, conservation etc.) may be easier to fund; it will be important to encourage such projects to also engage on policy and outreach work. The possibility of funding for more inter-faith work should be pursued: the Conservation Foundation is already funded to do some of this work in London. Local councils could (and are starting to) play a role in helping this develop. It was pointed out that some faiths (e.g. Sikhs) have less funding for this than e.g. Christian networks and the bigger organisations need to recognise the differences in capacity.

Faith leaders

In most cases faith leaders have not yet 'come on board'. Where they are supportive then those leaders need to promote action and engagement within their faiths but also need to reach out to their counterparts in other faiths and encourage long-term engagement. An initial idea in these discussions had been to develop an event to bring faith leaders together across London. However a key point arising from the discussion was that firstly leaders might not attend and that even if they did there might be few long-term outcomes. It was felt to be more useful and important to first build the level of activism and engagement. To that end any follow-up event should focus on drawing together those already active for an event that stresses the sharing of skills, ideas, and project, the development of mutual learning and some joint planning towards building engagement.

Building skills within each faith

Speakers from every faith involved acknowledged that they needed to build more support within their own community. It seems that this should be a key part of work in the coming months: the challenge is to find the resources for this work. There were some questions as to how far different faiths could share skills and resources in this work. At the very elast it would be good for each to hear what others were doing.

Faiths within local communities

It was suggested that faiths have a unique role within local communities. Not only do they untie some people within the locality, they also show that those people have a common set of beliefs and are working towards a better future. Faith-based environmental organisations need to offer all the resources they can (in terms of materials and support) to people form their faiths who are prepared to be local advocates for change and the environment. It will also be useful for each faith to have a good idea of what resources are available in other faiths. It is also the case that faiths have a role in promoting 'sustainable living' and right livelihoods across the communities where they work and live. Individual and community changes in consumption patterns are going to be essential in coming years and faiths can help by leading by example.

Next steps

London 21 will be discussing these points with other interested organisations. The Conservation Foundation will be bringing out its' next newsletter which will focus on practical projects being run by as wide a variety of faiths as possible.

This is a little different, but ... Some friends of mine are taking on energy alternatives and sustainability through the faith community (all faiths) in Miami, Florida: http://www.fusenow.org They would be more than happy to share what they're learned if you are interested.

Catherine Clouse

Communications & Development Coordinator SCOPE
www.scopexcel.org
1226 N. Tamiami Tr., Suite 202
Sarasota, FL 34236
tel: 941-365-8751
fax: 941-365-8592
[email protected]

Folks may be interested in some sociological research on the topic. In the fall issue of Human Ecology Review (vol 15:1) (http://humanecologyreview.org/) is the following article. (It is not quite out yet).

Churches Engaging the Environment:
An Autoethnography of Obstacles and Opportunities

Drawing on two decades of personal involvement, this autoethnographic analysis highlights a number of obstacles and opportunities for engaging with environmental matters in church-based contexts. Obstacles are summarized in four clusters: paradigmatic (beliefs that disable environmental engagement), applicability (doubt about the appropriate amount of attention to give environmental concerns), critical (inadequate attention to social or cultural factors as they affect faith or environmental matters), and conviction (lifestyle and willingness to act). Opportunities fall into three categories: subcultural (social practices of faith communities that may lead to more effective learning), commitment (sense of responsibility, duty, and desire to follow through on religious commitment), and public theology (facets that aid constructive engagement with the public discourse). The study concludes that there is reason to believe that engagement of environmental topics in church-based contexts can be productive, particularly with attention to such obstacles and opportunities.

Also, see the article at http://csopconsulting.tripod.com/jee with was originally published in the Journal of Experiential Education (2000).

The 2006 issue of the Canadian Journal of Environmental Education was devoted to the topic of religion and environmental education.

There is a great deal of work being done on and in faith communities regarding the environment. I think of it this way - it's good to go where the people are, and 30% of them are in worship nearly every week in Canada (more in the US, and most of the non-European world). Also, it's a place where there is openness to personal development, consistent with a tradition.

Cheers,
Randy HD --

Randolph Haluza-DeLay, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Sociology
The King's University College
Edmonton, AB, T6B 2H3
Canada 1-780-465-3500 ext8063
http://www.kingsu.net/page.aspx?

The Yale Divinity School publishes a booklet called "Reflections" and the Spring '07 issue was subtitled "God's Green Earth - Creation, Faith & Crisis". Mary Evelyn Tucker & John Grim who co-wrote the lead article for the issue, suggest that "A many-faceted alliance of religion and ecology along with a new global ethics is awakening around the planet...This is a new moment for the world's religions, and they have a vital role to play in the emergence of a more comprehensive environmental ethics." Go to: www.yale.edu/reflections/ for more.