Berkley Center

Bringing a wealth of scientific knowledge and a keen political and theological mind, Alycia Ashburn offers a compelling case for faith-based engagement in US and global climate and energy policy. Ashburn is the director of Sojourners’ Creation Care Campaign. She challenges students to read widely, supplementing Lynn White, Jr.’s classic essay and Bill McKibben’s path-breaking journalism with faith-based perspectives from Jewish, Catholic, and several evangelical leaders. Laying out some alarming consequences of climate change, Ashburn emphasizes that the adverse effects fall disproportionately on those already poor and vulnerable to famine, disease, and loss of life and property. Yet there are signs of hope. Trends in public opinion are shifting, and the faith community is increasingly committed to engaging climate and energy not only as scientific and public policy issues, but also as moral issues. Climate changes seems to be, at least for now, firmly established as a public issue demanding serious engagement from scientists, policymakers, industry, and concerned citizens. The faith community—charged to care for the earth—will undoubtedly advocate passionately for God’s creation.