God, Creation and Climate Change

Abstract

This resource is part of the Lutheran World Federation’s overall strategy on the challenges posed by what today is referred to as “climate change.” Many LWF member churches are deeply affected by and increasingly active in addressing this concern and there is a growing public awareness of the ethical challenges posed by climate change. Ecumenical, interfaith and civil society collaboration is crucial in the efforts being made to seek changes in local, national and global practices. In 2008, a survey was sent out asking people in different local settings what they see, feel and believe in the face of changes that, at least in part, are due to climate change (see appendix). This resource was written in light of responses to the survey, some of which are quoted here. The changes people are experiencing often raise questions or assumptions that are deeply theological and need to be addressed in these terms. This is the main purpose of this resource.