ABSTRACT

A growing chorus of voices has suggested that the world’s religions may become critical actors as the climate crisis unfolds, particularly in light of international paralysis on the issue. In recent years, many faiths have begun to address climate change and its consequences for human societies, especially the world’s poor. This is the first volume to use social science to examine how religions are helping to address one of the most significant and far-reaching challenges of our time.

While there is a growing literature in theology and ethics about climate change and religion, little research has been previously published about the ways in which religious institutions, groups and individuals are responding to the problem of climate change. Seventeen research-driven chapters are written by sociologists, anthropologists, geographers and other social scientists. This book explores what effects religions are having, what barriers they are running into or creating, and what this means for the global struggle to address climate change.

part |19 pages

Introduction

part I|133 pages

The Global South

chapter 2|14 pages

A retreating Goddess?

Conflicting perceptions of ecological change near the Gangotri-Gaumukh glacier

chapter 4|15 pages

Climate change projects in the land of gross national happiness

Does religion play a role in environmental policy in Bhutan?

chapter 5|13 pages

Pursuing diplomacy overseas, fostering adaptation at home

The Church of Bangladesh's proactive responses to climate change

chapter 6|19 pages

From theology to a praxis of “eco-jihad”

The role of religious civil society organizations in combating climate change in Indonesia

chapter 10|15 pages

Climate change and indigenous African religion

A case study of the transitional ecological zone of Ghana

part II|103 pages

The Global North

chapter 11|17 pages

Stepping up to the plate

Climate change, faith communities and effective environmental advocacy in Canada

chapter 13|16 pages

“How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?”

Confronting global climate change in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

chapter 14|20 pages

Keep Christianity brown!

Climate denial on the Christian Right in the United States

chapter 15|15 pages

Christian and Muslim climate activists fasting and praying for the planet

Emotional translation of “dark green” activism and green-faith identities

chapter 16|14 pages

“Healing the Land” in the Canadian Arctic

Evangelism, knowledge, and climate change

part |21 pages

Conclusion

chapter 19|19 pages

Climate change and religion as global phenomena

Summing up and directions for further research