Global Warming FAQs
My spiritual leaders disagree with the scientists, how do I determine whom to
believe?
Religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell often express thoughts about global
warming. These are men of faith, not of science,
and their articles generally cite opinions but little scientific information
or data.
The scientists who have been doing the recent research on global warming most
commonly present their work through the American Geophysical Union.
The AGU is a worldwide
scientific community that "advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the
understanding
of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity." It is made up of of tens of
thousands of
PhD researchers worldwide. They have no particular political agenda other than to
learn how natural processes work and make that information known. Based on the
outcome from a considerable number of studies in various fields relating
to global warming, the AGU has issued a policy statement:
Society Must Address the Growing Climateis Now.
The American Meteorological Society is another organization of scientists that
promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the
atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Based on data reported
through their organization, they have also issued a statement:
Climate Change -- An
Information Statement.
A recent Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change THE Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
If you want scientific information, places like these are where you might want to look.
Houses of worship, it turns out, are some of the biggest wasters of energy on a per capita, per
hour-of-use basis (See Churches Go
Green).
Churches, mosques, and synagogues are now looking for ways to make their buildings
more energy efficient, both to heed ethical imperatives against waste, and also to save money.
As evidence of global warming has mounted, congregations across the US are examining their habits
and asking what their faith demands of them in response. Catholic, Protestant, and
Jewish groups have turned to scripture for guidance. See
The Green Congregation Program.
The Interfaith Power & Light
is an interfaith ministry devoted to deepening the connection between ecology and faith.
Their goal is to help people of faith recognize and fulfill their responsibility
for the stewardship of creation.
Specifically, the IPL campaign is mobilizing a national religious response to global warming
while promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.
Hence people of faith have an opportunity to put their faith into action
and help reduce the devastating effects of global warming.
