Evangelical Group Cites the Bible as a Reason To Care About the Climate Crisis

A lengthy report from the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) intends to push other evangelicals to climate action by describing the "biblical basis" of addressing the climate crisis.

The report, titled "Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment," opens by admitting that the climate crisis is real. It said, "Instead of a gulp of fresh air from a lush forest, too many children take a deep breath only to gasp with the toxic air that has irritated their lungs." However, instead of citing scientific reports, the group’s focus is that climate action is mandated by the Bible, saying, "The Bible does not tell us anything directly about how to evaluate scientific reports or how to respond to a changing environment, but it does give several helpful principles: Care for creation, love our neighbors and witness to the world."

The report focuses more on real-world impacts of the climate crisis because those examples help evangelicals "understand the human dimension of the impact of climate change."

NAE President Walter Kim told the Washington Post, "I think people of faith responded very deeply, because we’re wired to follow in the footsteps of Jesus of loving God and loving our neighbor."