Christian Social Movements for Action on Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change poses an existential threat to humanity. To combat climate change, ambitious policy change is urgently needed. To move policy makers to act, social movements organize united constituencies to lift up shared demands. While a social movement for action on climate change has been developed, it has largely overlooked a critical source of social power: American Christians. Christianity has a unique role in the United States, being deeply rooted in the national culture and reaching across conventional demographic and political divides. While there are tensions both among Christians and between Christians and secular environmental organizations, a Christian social movement for action on climate change is well underway. Faith-based organizations are equipping leaders to develop members' spirituality, implement sustainability upgrades, and advocate for change. Despite the tremendous effectiveness of these organizations, they are dramatically under-resourced in comparison with their secular counterparts. With greater resources, faith-based environmental organizations could activate a crucial audience of politically centrist voters, galvanizing new momentum at a critical time for our planet. Better engaging U.S. Christians is essential to protecting humanity from the worst consequences of the climate crisis.