The Faith Factor in Climate Change: Examining American Attitudes on Climate and Environmental Policy
Introduction
The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) recently conducted a climate change survey, revealing a concerning trend among white evangelicals. While the overall proportion of Americans who consider climate change a crisis has increased by 16% since 2014, among white evangelicals, it has dropped by 38%. This decline brings crisis-level concern among white evangelicals down to a mere 8%, the lowest among all religious communities in the country. Furthermore, they are the only community whose support for action to mitigate climate change falls below 0.5 on a scale of 0 – 1, with their support level at 0.41 compared to the national average of 0.57.
Shifts in Concern
In contrast, the survey found that concern about climate change among the unaffiliated (also known as the nones) has risen by nearly a quarter, from 33% to 43%. Their support for mitigation action stands at 0.66, higher than the national average. Black Protestants are the only other religious community whose crisis-level concern about climate has declined in the past decade, from 24% to 19%. However, their support for mitigation action, at 0.61, is above the national average. It is possible that the improved situation of Black people in American society has shifted their perception of climate change out of the crisis category.
Historical Context
White evangelicals’ lack of concern about climate change is not a new phenomenon. In the 1990s, they were the primary audience for the Interfaith Council for Environmental Stewardship, an organization funded by the Koch brothers and fossil fuel companies. This organization promoted skepticism about climate change and its scientific basis. Later renamed the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, it sponsored the Cornwall Declaration in 2000, which downplayed concerns about global warming. In 2007, the Southern Baptist Convention followed suit with a resolution skeptical of anthropogenic climate change and opposed to anything that hindered economic development.
Religious Influence
According to Robin Globus Veldman’s study, “The Gospel of Climate Skepticism,” many traditionalist evangelicals are influenced by both politically conservative elites and media, as well as religiously conservative elites and media. This double dose of climate skepticism often presents politically conservative views as the natural expression of a biblical worldview. However, it is worth noting that 54% of white evangelicals in the PRRI survey reported feeling a deep spiritual connection with nature and the earth on most days, slightly higher than the national average of 52%.
Changing Perspectives
While white evangelicals may still feel a connection to the natural world, their beliefs about its vulnerability to human actions have shifted. In 2014, 45% of white evangelicals believed that God would not let humans destroy the Earth, but that percentage has now dropped to 35%. This decline aligns with the overall population, where the belief has decreased from 39% to 28%.
Alternative Perspective
A 2022 Pew survey on religion and climate presents a more balanced view among evangelicals. The survey found that 34% of evangelicals considered climate change an “extremely” or “very serious” problem, while 38% believed it was “not too serious” or “not a problem.” Additionally, 32% attributed global warming mostly to human activity, while only 17% claimed there was “no solid evidence” of the Earth getting warmer. However, it is important to note that the Pew survey did not differentiate between white and nonwhite evangelicals, and the PRRI data shows a concerning trend specifically among white evangelicals.
Conclusion
While white evangelicals may be less inclined to view climate change as a crisis, it is worth noting that their proportion in the U.S. population has declined by 28% since 2014. This decline suggests that while their attitudes may be concerning, there are fewer individuals holding these beliefs. Moving forward, addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development will require engaging diverse religious communities and finding common ground to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the attitudes and beliefs of different religious communities towards climate change and their support for action to mitigate it. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
The article highlights the differing levels of concern and support for action on climate change among different religious communities. To address these issues, it is important to improve education and awareness about climate change (Target 13.3) and integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning (Target 13.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Proportion of individuals who consider climate change a crisis.
- Indicator: Support level for action to mitigate climate change.
The article mentions the proportion of individuals who consider climate change a crisis and their support level for action to mitigate it. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards improving education, awareness, and support for climate change action among different religious communities.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Indicator: Proportion of individuals who consider climate change a crisis. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator: Support level for action to mitigate climate change. |
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Source: religionnews.com
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