A group of more than 85 influential evangelical leaders released a statement today expressing a biblically driven commitment to curb global warming and called on the government to enact national legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that are contributing to global climate change. The document outlining theological and policy imperatives, issued by the Evangelical Climate Initiative, was signed by leaders of evangelical Christian denominations, mega-church pastors, Christian college presidents, and CEOs of major evangelical world relief organizations.
The signers include author Rick Warren and the leaders of the two largest charitable organizations in the country: Rich Stearns, president of World Vision, and Commissioner Todd Bassett, national commander of The Salvation Army.
Other signatories include denominational leaders Jack Hayford (Foursquare Gospel), Peter Borgdorff (Christian Reformed Church), and Berten Waggoner (Vineyard), as well as David Neff, executive editor of Christianity Today, and Duane Litfin, president of Wheaton College.
Citing higher sea levels, more frequent heat waves and droughts, increased tropical diseases, and reduction in agricultural output as likely results of “even small rises in global temperature,” the statement declares: “This is God’s world, and any damage that we do to God’s world is an offense against God himself.”
The statement, Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action, establishes that Christian moral convictions demand a response to the climate change problem, and calls on governments, business, churches and individuals to play a role.
Calling on Leadership from Government and Business
For the first time, a major evangelical group is calling on the U.S. government to establish limits on emissions. “The most important step that can be taken at the federal level,” the statement reads, “is to pass and implement national legislation requiring sufficient economy-wide reductions in carbon dioxide emissions through cost effective, market-based mechanisms such as a cap-and-trade program.”
Poll Results Indicate Growing Evangelical Concern
The group also announced that a new poll by Ellison Research showed strong concern among evangelicals for responsible care of the environment. Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research, said that 70 percent of the evangelical respondents said they believed global warming would pose a serious threat to future generations. In addition, “63 percent of evangelicals believe that while global warming may be a long-term issue, the problem is being caused today, so we must start addressing it immediately,” Sellers said.
Rev. Peter Borgdorff, head of the Christian Reformed Church, said the statement was notable because of its Christian foundation and motivation, and the specificity of its call for personal and government action on the issue of climate change.
“This is a positive step based on the hope that God will help Americans lead on this issue,” Borgdorff said. “As signatories, we are committing ourselves to use our influence as evangelical leaders to focus attention and prompt action of Christian believers to work to limit the emissions that are contributing to disastrous climate change.”
Rev. Leith Anderson, senior pastor of Wooddale Church near Minneapolis and former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said, “When a major challenge like this is recognized, leaders must lead. With God’s help we can make a difference.”
Concern for Impacts on People, Especially the Poor
The statement highlights a strong concern for the impact global warming will have on people, especially poor nations and individuals. “The consequences of global warming,” the statement reads, “will hit the poor the hardest, in part because those areas likely to be significantly affected first are the poorest regions of the world.”
Jo Anne Lyon, executive director of World Hope International, said: “The evangelical community has worked in poor countries for many years, spending billions of dollars to help people meet their basic needs and to share the Good News about Jesus Christ. In the future, global warming puts at risk our longstanding efforts to help the poor.”
Advertising Campaign
The Evangelical Climate Initiative also announced an advertising campaign that will present the themes of the climate statement through a series of national television, radio, and print ads, beginning with a full-page ad in The New York Times February 9.
The print ad has a partial list of the signatories and is headlined: “Our commitment to Jesus Christ compels us to solve the global warming crisis.” The text reads in part: “With the same love of God and neighbor that compels us to preach salvation through Jesus Christ, protect unborn life, preserve the family and the sanctity of marriage, defend religious freedom and human dignity, and take the whole Gospel to a hurting world, we the undersigned evangelical leaders resolve to come together with others of like mind to pray and to work to stop global warming.”
The Evangelical Climate Initiative is a group of more than 85 evangelical leaders who — as a result of their commitment to Jesus Christ and concern for His creation — have signed the statement entitled Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action; it represents their efforts (signatories sign as individuals, and not as spokespersons for their respective organizations) to encourage action by evangelical Christians and all Americans to make life changes necessary to help solve the global warming crisis, and to advance legislation that will limit emissions, while respecting economic and business concerns.
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