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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 08:55 AM Jun 2014

A Christian Climate Scientist's Mission To Convert Non-Believers

http://www.npr.org/2014/06/08/319831143/climate-scientist-climate-change-is-a-christian-issue-too


Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist and the director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University. She is also a devout Christian.
Courtesy of Katharine Hayhoe

by NPR STAFF
June 08, 2014 9:10 AM ET

“ God gave us the brains to make good choices and there's consequences to the choices that we make.
- Katharine Hayhoe

Each week, Weekend Edition Sunday brings listeners an unexpected side of the news by talking with someone personally affected by the stories making headlines.


Last week, the Obama administration announced historic regulations to limit carbon dioxide emissions. Policies to address climate change have been a tough sell among some Republicans on Capitol Hill, but also in many Christian congregations around the country.

Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist and the director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University. She is also a devout Christian.

Hayhoe has spent the last few years trying to convince other Christians that climate change is real, and that caring about the issue is one of the most Christian things you can do. She told NPR's Rachel Martin of the difficulties of spreading that message among Christian congregations.

"The people we trust, the people we respect, the people whose values we share, in the conservative community, in the Christian community, those people are telling us, many of them, that this isn't a real problem — that it's a hoax," Heyhoe says. "Even worse, that you can't be a Christian and think that climate change is real. You can't be a conservative and agree with the science."

more at link, including audio

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A Christian Climate Scientist's Mission To Convert Non-Believers (Original Post) cbayer Jun 2014 OP
I posted about her yesterday when... TreasonousBastard Jun 2014 #1
I am also optimistic. cbayer Jun 2014 #2
Good reply in my thread with an interview... TreasonousBastard Jun 2014 #3
Good deal. I hope a lot of people read or listen to this. cbayer Jun 2014 #4

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
1. I posted about her yesterday when...
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 09:04 AM
Jun 2014

I heard the tail end of the show.

That's when she said she used to get questions denying global warming and now she gets questions asking "What can we do?"

The word is getting out.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
2. I am also optimistic.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 09:53 AM
Jun 2014

Some evangelical groups are embracing environmental issues as one of their top priorities.

That's very good news, but there is a lot of work to be done.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
3. Good reply in my thread with an interview...
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 10:05 AM
Jun 2014
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1127&pid=70533

Her husband is an evangelical minister so she has some cred with evangelical groups. It also means she knows how to use the Stewardship message that is missing in so many of these arguments but is central to much Christian belief.

One group of Christians believes Christ is coming back any day now, so screwing up the planet is no big deal. Another (I believe much larger) group doesn't know if, how, or when Christ will return, but we should keep the place as clean as we can in the meantime because it's God's planet after all and we are here to run it, not ruin it. That second group should be receptive to this message, and she is a perfect one to deliver it.

And yes, there is much to be done. As always.


cbayer

(146,218 posts)
4. Good deal. I hope a lot of people read or listen to this.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 10:24 AM
Jun 2014

I think it's really important to support religious groups that are doing the right thing. Not only does it help causes we embrace but if takes a tooth out of the mouth of the religious right.

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