By Calvin Beisner

What should we think about climate change? That’s a question thousands of Christians face, especially teachers and students at Christian universities, colleges, and high schools.

In “Climate Change (Natural-Variations View),” an article in the Dictionary of Christianity and Science: The Definitive Reference for the Intersection of Christian Faith and Contemporary Science, Dr. David R. Legates, a Cornwall Alliance Senior Fellow and Professor of Climatology and Geography at the University of Delaware, provides an outstanding answer in a new reference work that will reach them for years to come. After pointing out that “climate has always changed,” “humans certainly can and do influence the earth’s climate,” and “global air temperature [has] increased over the past 160 years”—matters on which pretty much all scientists agree—Dr. Legates then discusses “the more complex questions” on which scientists (including Christians) disagree:

To what extent are humans responsible for the climate change we have observed? What are the future consequences of climate change, from both natural and anthropogenic sources? How should we, as Biblebelieving Christians, respond?

He follows with an explanation of what climate is and why, because of “how utterly complex our climate system is,” modeling it, which is crucial to predicting future climate, is extremely difficult and so far has failed to make credible predictions.

Next he discusses and corrects the typical, oversimplified understanding of “climate change” among non-specialists: carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuels is the primary control knob for global average temperature; we’re adding more by burning fossil fuels; and the result is likely to be disastrous. On the contrary, CO2 is only one, and by no means the most important, of many controlling factors. Variations in solar irradiance and ocean currents are more important. And CO2’s increase is unlikely to cause dangerous global warming.

He also points out that, contrary to popular opinion in the media and among politicians, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and tornadoes are not increasing in frequency or intensity, and indeed there is no sound reason to think that the magnitude of global warming credibly predictable should cause any such increase.

How should Christians respond to what we really do know about climate change?

I believe in God, and I believe that humans have affected our environment. However, after careful study of the science behind anthropogenic climate change, I have concluded that natural climate variations outweigh human-induced effects. … A doubling of carbon dioxide concentration is likely to increase global air temperatures by no more than 1°C, and their impact on other aspects of the climate is likely to be even less noticeable. But while we are exhorted to be good stewards of all of creation (Gen. 1:26–28; 2:15), we also are commanded to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21 NASB). Policies must be based on the best-available science and in accordance with the reality of the current human condition.

Attempts to “control” future global temperatures by reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions will cause more harm than good. … The negative consequences of fighting climate change will fall disproportionately on those who are without clean water and adequate sanitation, who must rely on dung or other biomass for indoor cooking and heating, or who are oppressed. …

Reducing use of fossil fuels would have very little impact on global air temperatures. … But reliable, affordable, and abundant energy is critical to economic development, especially so in the developing world. If the cost of energy is allowed to skyrocket or if energy is rationed, those in need will be impacted disproportionally. Dr. Legates’s article is especially valuable because it counterbalances an alarmist article by an ecologist (not climate scientist) who embraces the alarmist view. We commend the editors of the Dictionary of Christianity and Science for including this balance—something many are unwilling to do.

God Bless
Calvin Beisner
Founder and National Spokesman of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation