Feeling the Heat: What Believers Are Thinking About Global Warming

As believers, we understand that Earth is not ultimately our home, but at the same time, many Christians are aware that we should be involved in good stewardship principles that could help preserve our world while we are still living on it. After all, shouldn’t we pass along a healthy Earth to future generations? To act otherwise would be unthinkable.

In a recent Barna Group, Ltd. research poll about global warming, the findings were enlightening and somewhat startling. In short, their findings showed that believers were divided in their assessment of the global warming issue—almost split down the middle—with about half (51 percent) of born-again believers stating that global warming was a major concern, while 42 percent thought that global warming was not all that important or were unsure of its importance (7 percent). Overall, their findings indicated that born-again believers were divided 50/50 about global warming and were equally “hit and miss” about investing in environmental causes or joining any environmentally friendly actions such as recycling.

Maybe the problem lies in lack of knowledge.

Many scientists who have studied global warming for decades believe that it’s real and will affect all of us—and very soon. The earth’s average temperature is expected to increase between 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100—and is literally being fueled by human hands through carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being added to the Earth’s atmosphere at a rate beyond which Mother Nature can adjust to.

In simple terms, we’re beginning to feel the heat and starting to realize some of the drastic implications of global warming. Some of those implications include the rise in sea level that can result in flooding, leaving millions homeless; rainfall reductions in areas where crops are grown, resulting in food supply/chain ramifications; and the extinction of some animal and plant species that cannot adapt to the rapid climate change.

Carbon dioxide is not the only contributor to global warming, but it is a major influencer since it produces an estimated 60 percent of the human-induced greenhouse effect that supports global warming. About 95 percent of carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels, and the United States leads the pack with about 21 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. (While we are on the subject: Did you know that driving a car and burning one gallon of gasoline, weighing in at approximately six pounds, creates about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide? It’s no wonder we are encountering global warming!)

So, what can you do to reduce your carbon dioxide output? Here are a few suggestions:

* Consider buying a hybrid or renewable-fuel automobile. You can save anywhere from 2.5 to 4 tons of carbon dioxide output per year by doing so.

* Be sure to insulate and seal your entire home. By doing so, you can cut down on excess carbon dioxide output and save on your energy bill.

* Take public transportation instead of driving, when possible. You can also walk or bike to some destinations—and the exercise will do you good!

If we don’t all pitch in and do our part, we will all feel the ensuing heat of global warming. As believers, particularly, it is our responsibility to steward what God has given us.

May it never be said of us that we were so “heavenly-minded” that we were no “earthly good”—even as it concerns our environment.