Go Figure
Climate change and religious rifts
by Angie Andriot
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Nearly all scientists—87 percent—say the earth is warming because of human activity, according to a study of the Pew Research Center and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In contrast, only 50 percent of the public believes the same thing. This difference between scientists and the public is well-known.
But did you know that religion shapes our beliefs about climate change?
Although only 6 percent of regular churchgoers say their religious beliefs shape their views on the environment, Christians who hear from their clergy about climate change are more likely to believe that global warming is caused by human activity. Also, beliefs about climate change differ by religion. While 66 percent of Jewish Americans and 57 percent of religiously unaffiliated people believe humans are causing global warming, only 27 percent of evangelical Protestants do. Mainline Protestants reflect the general population, with 50 percent believing that human activity is causing climate change.
The percentage of Americans who believe that natural disasters are a sign of the end times is increasing—from 44 percent in 2001 to 49 percent in 2014. However, Americans are still more likely to rate climate change as a cause of natural disasters.
More than one-third of Americans—39 percent—say God would not allow humans to destroy the earth. But 57 percent say God expects humans to live responsibly with animals, plants, and other resources of the planet.
Angie Andriot is a research associate with Research Services for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
