3 of 3

Ellison Research president Ron Sellers said he was surprised that even 49 percent of politically conservative evangelicals say "global warming is a long-term problem, we are causing the problem today, so we must begin addressing the issue immediately." Sellers also said 44 percent of politically conservative evangelicals would support taking steps now, even at a high economic cost, assuming "that global warming/climate change is occurring, is mainly caused by human actions, and poses a significant threat within your lifetime."

"And that's before any of their leaders have come out and said it's a serious problem," Ball said. "Once evangelicals are convinced this is happening, the other numbers are going to shoot right up."

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Evangelical Climate Initiative website offers the call to action statement, a list of signatories, and other resources.

Early press coverage of the statement includes NPR's Morning Edition, The New York Times, MSNBC, Reuters,

The Interfaith Stewardship Alliance has issued a press release against the statement.

Earlier Christianity Today articles on climate change include:

Heat Stroke | The climate for addressing global warming is improving. A Christianity Today editorial (Sept. 16, 2004)

Environmental Wager | Why evangelicals are—but shouldn't be—cool toward global warming. By Andy Crouch (Aug. 4, 2005)

Climate Change Briefing Brings Together Christian Aid Groups | Rising temperatures will disproportionately affect the poor, say analysts. (Oct. 19, 2004)

Tending the Garden | Evangelicals and the environment. By John Wilson (Jul. 7, 2004)

Religious Leaders Rebuke Bush Administration Over Kyoto Protocol | Officials from the National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ, and African Methodist Episcopal Church say U.S. must limit greenhouse gas emissions. (Apr. 6, 2001)

U.S. Churches Join Global Warming Debate | Environmental stewardship is an act of compassion toward the poor, say mainline Protestants and evangelicals, who are joining with other faith groups to reduce the effects of global warming. (October 5, 1998)

Earlier Christianity Today articles on other creation care issues include:

Why We Love the Earth | Our belief in a Creator, not crisis scenarios, drives our environmental concerns. A Christianity Today Editorial by Howard A. Snyder (May 15, 1995)

Bald Eagles and Babies | The case for compassionate conservationism. By John E. Silvius (June 27, 2001)

Eco-Myths | Don't believe everything you hear about the church and the environmental crisis. By David N. Livingstone, Calvin B. DeWitt, and Loren Wilkinson (June 27, 2001)

God's Green Acres | How Calvin DeWitt is helping Dunn, Wisconsin, reflect the glory of God's good creation. By Tim Stafford (June 15, 1998)

Greening of the Gospel? | Evangelical environmentalists press to add creation care to the church's mission. (Nov. 11, 1996)

Evangelical Environmentalism Comes of Age | a brief survey of leaders in evangelical environmental ministry (Nov. 11, 1996)

first page |  3 of 3

share this page

February (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50