There was an important story on NPR’s Morning Edition today called “Climate Change: Public Skeptical, Scientists Sure.” Only 13% of people polled by Yale University knew that 97% of the world’s scientists are convinced that the global climate change due to human activities is not only real but also a BIG problem.
The take home message is that because Americans are now getting their information from blogs and cable news, they are getting the wrong message about climate change. These information sources over-emphasize the opinions of the very few scientists (only about 3%) who deny that climate change is real, making it seem much more controversial than it really is. The US National Academy of Sciences, the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, and numerous other US professional organizations all agree with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and many other national academies all over the world that climate change is occurring, is caused by humans and is very dangerous.
In a world of information overload, it is critical that we get our information from credible sources. Our faith does not allow us to hide from the truth by listening only to what is comfortable to hear. We need to seek out the truth aggressively and then act accordingly. Climate skepticism is a perfect example of what not to do. We cannot hide from something so globally dangerous. More importantly, we cannot hide from taking action to protect and restore God’s beautiful creation within which we are totally interdependent. NC IPL has programs and approaches that can help you take meaningful action to reduce your contributions to climate change at the congregational and personal level. Please join us in this most critical work.
–Kathy Shea, NC IPL Executive Director
