Christians Lead Growing Movement for Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship

Christian environmental stewardship is experiencing a significant revival as faith communities worldwide increasingly recognize climate change as both a moral imperative and theological calling. Organizations across denominations are mobilizing believers to address what they view as one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Theological Foundation for Climate Action

The movement finds its roots in biblical principles of stewardship and creation care. Christians have long experienced the call to wonder at, value and protect God's creation, from William Carey, who is known as the father of horticulture in India, to John Wesley, who was an animal rights advocate and vegetarian.

As stated in Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." Christians, of all people, understand that we do not own the world in which we live. This theology positions environmental care as worship and service to God rather than merely secular activism.

Major Christian Environmental Organizations

Several prominent organizations are leading the charge in Christian climate action. The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is a ministry that educates, inspires, and mobilizes Christians in their effort to care for God's creation.

A Rocha work to protect and restore the natural world and equip Christians around the world in how to care for the environment. They do this as a response to the biblical mandate to look after the earth and demonstrate God's hope to the world.

Other notable organizations include Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, Plant With Purpose, and Climate Stewards, each addressing different aspects of environmental restoration and climate advocacy from distinctly Christian perspectives.

Practical Applications and Global Impact

Christian environmental organizations are implementing practical solutions worldwide. Climate Stewards have a number of projects across the world, from tree planting to environmental clubs in schools to supplying smokeless stoves. They help people and organisations to respond to climate change and environment issues, particularly Christians.

Plant With Purpose strives to reverse environmental degradation, the root cause of rural poverty around the world, particularly calling Christians to environmental stewardship and compassion.

Circular Economy and Faith Integration

Recent academic research highlights the connection between Christian theology and sustainable practices. The circular economy and Laudato Si' share a common vision for addressing environmental, ecological, and social challenges through sustainability, justice, and paradigm change. This framework emphasizes moving beyond the linear "take-make-dispose" model toward regenerative practices aligned with biblical stewardship principles.

Addressing Climate Urgency

The scientific community warns of critical timing for environmental action. Climate scientists believe that the next 10 years are critical to restore and address environmental restoration before some problems become potentially irreversible. The World Meteorological Organization predicts that by the end of 2025 there is a 90% chance the world will face another record for the hottest year.

The IPCC projects that the impacts of climate change, going from 1.5 degrees of global warming to 2 degrees could have catastrophic effects such as: 1.7 billion more people experiencing severe heatwaves at least once every five years and up to several hundred million more people becoming exposed to climate-related risks and poverty.

Bridging Faith and Environmental Action

Faith communities' involvement in environmental action is a practical and moral imperative. Many religious traditions have a concept of stewardship or trusteeship that implies a responsibility to care for the Earth as God's creation or a sacred gift.

About 84% of the world's population is religious. Of that, Christianity holds the largest share. The percentages are even higher in the Global South where climate effects are more severe. This positions Christian environmental movements as crucial for global climate action.

Historical Context and Modern Challenges

The relationship between evangelicals and environmentalism has been complex. In the early 1990s, segments of the religious right tried turning eco-friendly philosophies into action. However, by 1993, the idea of Christian environmental stewardship had all but disappeared from the rhetoric of the religious right.

Despite historical challenges, a new generation of Christian environmental advocates is emerging, combining rigorous science with deep faith convictions to address climate change as both an environmental and spiritual crisis.

Future Outlook

As climate impacts intensify, Christian environmental stewardship movements are positioned to play an increasingly vital role in global climate action, offering hope, practical solutions, and moral leadership rooted in biblical principles of creation care and justice for the vulnerable.