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The Intersection of Christianity and Climate Change
In the United States, environmental policies are shaped by our elected officials. Since the U.S. population of Christians reaches upwards of 200 million people, it is fitting to include Christian beliefs in the discussion of U.S. environmental policy.
So what are Christian beliefs about environmentalism? There are numerous interpretations of biblical teachings that are preached at many different churches across the U.S. But what does scripture itself say about protecting God’s creation?
I am not a religious scholar and so I have turned to the writings of Sandra Richter PhD and author of Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters, to help me understand.
In her book, Richter points out numerous references to humanity’s place in tending to God’s creation and she notes that the fact that it is mentioned repeatedly, indicates it’s significance.
“Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth so that you may take possession of it, Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28)
“Then Yahweh took the human and put him into the garden of Eden to tend it and to guard it.” (Gen 2:15)
