Science Describes Climate Change While Faith is the Catalyst to Act

World acclaimed climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe recently spoke to Kingstonians about climate change, its potential impact on the world and how faith can lead to positive change.

According to Hayhoe, a professor of atmospheric science at Texas Technical University, who spoke at St. George's Cathedral on Feb. 19, climate change is the greatest challenge confronting our world today.

“It makes every other problem worse – access to clean water, development issues, we can’t fix these problems if we leave climate change out of the picture,” she explained. “It’ll be like pouring money into a bucket with a hole in the bottom that is getting bigger and bigger. That hole is climate change.”

Is it ethical to invest in fossil fuels? Reflections from Christian theologians, scientists and environmentalists

This paper was published by Bright Now, a campaign launched by Operation Noah calling for the disinvestment of UK Churches from fossil fuels.
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This paper explores how the Church as an investor can respond ethically to the growing threat of catastrophic climate change. We have gathered together reflections on this issue from Christian theologians, scientists and environmentalists of different denominational backgrounds and regions around the world. They have drawn on their wide experience and on the biblical principles underpinning their Christian faith in order to offer perspectives on the question: ‘Is it ethical to invest in fossil fuels?’

Divest and Reinvest Now! The Religious Imperative for Fossil Fuel Divestment and Reinvestment in a Clean Energy Future

Divest and Reinvest Now! The Religious Imperative for Fossil Fuel Divestment and Reinvestment in a Clean Energy Future was written by by the Rev. Fletcher Harper.

Is it immoral for religious groups to invest in fossil fuel companies? Is there a moral imperative for these groups to invest in a clean energy future? In a word – yes. This paper will explain why.

A Role Call of Faith Groups Divesting from Fossil Fuels

Faith groups are among the 180 institutions that have divested from fossil fuels so far. A total of 50 billion has already been divested from fossil fuels and investors representing assets of $1.2 trillion have made the divestment pledge. In 2014 alone the number of institutions that have divested has more than doubled and the number keeps growing in 2015.

Last September, faith communities were among the 800 fossil fuel divestment commitments referenced by Vice President Al Gore in a speech at the UN Climate Summit in New York. Faith groups are joining the divestment movement alongside universities, local governments, banks, medical groups, and foundations.

Why Faith Communities Must Divest from Fossil Fuels

The fossil fuel divestment movement is growing worldwide and faith communities are leading the charge. Divestment sends an important symbolic message about our commitment to preserving God's creation. Although faith-based activism will not eradicate fossil fuels, it brings moral force to the issue and the kind of leadership that can help to win the hearts and minds of people all around the world.

Faith communities have been singled out to lead the divestment movement. Last May United Nations climate head Christiana Figueres called on religious leaders to take a strong stance on climate change, calling it "one of the great humanitarian issues of our time."

Divestment and Reinvestment Resource: Fossil Free Faith

Fossil Free Faith is an excellent resource for Global Divestment Day which takes place on February 13 & 14.

This site offers information and encouragement for faith communities looking to explore their divestment options. It is intended to help Canadian faith groups engage climate action, especially around fossil fuel divestment and clean energy reinvestment.

Video Summarizing Global Divestment Day (February 13 & 14)

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Please click here and here, to see why the Stewardship of the Environment Committee is advancing a motion advocating for fossil fuel divestment in the Anglican Diocese of Montreal.

Related
A Role Call of Faith Groups Divesting from Fossil Fuels
Report on Faith Based Divestment from Fossil Fuels
Faith Communities Divest Holdings in Fossil Fuel Industry
Why Faith Communities Must Divest from Fossil Fuels
The Religious Imperative for Fossil Fuel Divestment and Reinvestment in a Clean Energy Future
Church of England Adopts New Climate Change and Ethical Investment Policy that Includes Divestment
Episcopal Church Votes to Divest from Fossil Fuels as a Moral Issue
United Church of Canada Votes to Divest from Fossil Fuels
WCC at International Divestment Conference in Paris
Divestment and Reinvestment Resource: Fossil Free Faith

Faith Communities Divest from Holdings in Fossil Fuel Industry

Worried about global warming, a growing number of churches and other faith groups are divesting their holdings in fossil fuel companies that release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

“The warning in scripture that ‘the wages of sin is death’ could not be more literally true than it is in the case of fossil fuels,” said Serene Jones, president of New York’s Union Theological Seminary, whose board voted earlier this summer to divest its $108.4 million endowment from fossil fuel companies.

“While we realize that our endowment alone will hardly cause the fossil fuel giants to miss even half a heartbeat, as a seminary dedicated to social justice we have a critical call to live out our values in the world. Climate change poses a catastrophic threat, and as stewards of God’s creation we simply must act.”