Faith Is Part of the Climate Conversation

When we hear conversations about climate change, we often think of scientists, policymakers, and environmental organizations. But increasingly, another voice is becoming part of the conversation: the voice of faith. For Christians, caring for creation is not a new idea. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Psalm 24:1). Creation is a gift from God, and we are called to receive that gift with gratitude and care for it faithfully.

Recent research shows just how deeply this belief is shared. Pew Research Center’s 2025 Religious Landscape Study found that 66% of Americans, and 94% of highly religious Americans, believe God has given human beings a duty to protect and care for the Earth. Yet there is an interesting disconnect. A recent study of 1,600 U.S. religious leaders found that nearly 90% believe human activity contributes to climate change, while roughly half said they had never discussed climate change with their congregations.

Perhaps that is where groups like the Central Cares for Creation (C3) Team have an important role to play. Our purpose is not to tell everyone what they must think about every environmental issue, but to help us explore what our faith has to say about them. In our Lutheran tradition, caring for creation is one way we live out our calling to love and serve our neighbors. The ways we care for land, water, energy, and other resources affect not only the natural world, but also the people and communities around us.

Central Cares for Creation hopes to keep this conversation growing within our congregation. We invite you to join us in asking: How can we faithfully care for what God has entrusted to us and, in doing so, care for our neighbors?

Sources:

Pew Research Center, “Religion and Views on the Environment,” Religious Landscape Study, February 26, 2025.

Syropoulos, S., et al., “Most Christian American Religious Leaders Silently Believe in Climate Change, and Informing Their Congregation Can Help Open Dialogue,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2025.