Berkley Center

From 2010 to 2013, Rev. Jim Wallis taught a Georgetown course addressing questions of faith, social justice, and the political process through a series of topical classes. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has shown the effect of our addiction to oil. Weather-related disasters are raising public consciousness. And global temperatures are rising at a steady and alarming pace, due primarily to human activities. In this class Rev. Wallis injects biblical and theological reasoning into the climate and energy debate, reminding us that the a faithful understanding of ecology is rooted in the assertion that creation is not a raw material waiting to be exploited, but rather God’s manifold works (Psalm 104:24). Wallis poses provocative questions for all of us to consider. What are the policies and practices that can develop clean, efficient, and renewable energy sources to reduce our consumption of the earth’s finite resources? Is this just a policy matter, or will it require a conversion to a clean energy economy? What are the spiritual issues involved, and why is the faith community playing a key role in matters concerning the environment? Richard Cizik, Lyndsay Moseley, Alycia Ashburn, and Mitchell Hescox were featured guest speakers on the topic.