factsheet_faith_and_climate_change_121212-9be7c1e3bf028114.pdf

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) compiles statements from various global religious leaders, denominations, and interfaith organizations regarding anthropogenic climate change. The document highlights a broad consensus across major faiths that climate change is a moral, spiritual, and justice-related issue, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on poor populations and the necessity of transitioning away from fossil fuels.

• Major religious and spiritual organizations characterize climate change as a profound moral and spiritual crisis rather than a purely political or scientific issue. The Eastern Orthodox Church describes it as a "profoundly moral and spiritual nl problem," while the Episcopal Church affirms that the "Christian response to global warming is a deeply moral and spiritual issue."
• There is a consistent theme across diverse faiths that climate change is a matter of social and economic justice, as its effects fall most heavily on the poor and vulnerable. The Reformed Church in America states that "the issue is a matter of justice" because effects "will fall disproportionately on the poor and on future generations," and the World Council of Churches notes that "The poor and vulnerable in the world and future generations will suffer the most."
• Many faith groups explicitly call for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a transition away from fossil fuels. The Church of the Brethren urges the U.S. to "move beyond its dependence on high carbon fossil fuels" and "ratify the Kyoto Protocol," while the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) supports the "rapid adoption of clean and renewable energy sources" and the "phasing out of reliance on fossil fuel technologies."
• Religious leaders emphasize the concept of stewardship and the divine obligation to protect the Earth. The Eastern Orthodox Church views caring for creation as a "divine commandment; it is a religious obligation," and the United Methodist Church frames action to reduce global warming as a "matter of stewardship and justice."
• Specific global regions are identified as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The National Association of Evangelicals highlights that poor populations will suffer from "dry wells in the Sahel of Africa and floods along the coasts of Bangladesh."
• Interfaith and ecumenical bodies advocate for collective global action and the protection of the most vulnerable. The Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change, endorsed by over 100 groups, asserts that "Strong action on climate change is imperative by the principles and traditions of our faiths," and the World Council of Churches commits to applying "pressure on governments and industries."

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (n.d.). factsheet_faith_and_climate_change_121212-9be7c1e3bf028114.pdf. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Faith_and_Climate_Change_121212.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. factsheet_faith_and_climate_change_121212-9be7c1e3bf028114.pdf. n.d. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Faith_and_Climate_Change_121212.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=factsheet_faith_and_climate_change_121212-9be7c1e3bf028114.pdf |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Faith_and_Climate_Change_121212.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitutendfactsheetfaithandclimatechange1212129be7c1e3bf028114pdf, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{factsheet\_faith\_and\_climate\_change\_121212-9be7c1e3bf028114.pdf}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Faith_and_Climate_Change_121212.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }