Environmentalism by the Book

Not long ago, we mentioned in this space the involvement of religious groups and church leaders across the South in state-by-state efforts to increase the minimum wage. The idea, of course, is that extending a hand to the impoverished is a moral imperative encouraged by most religious teachings.

Now, according to today's New York Times, the same logic is being applied to the crusade against global warming. Evangelical Christians are getting involved and targeting Southern states with television advertsing that communicates their message.

Despite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors." ...

"For most of us, until recently this has not been treated as a pressing issue or major priority," the statement said. "Indeed, many of us have required considerable convincing before becoming persuaded that climate change is a real problem and that it ought to matter to us as Christians. But now we have seen and heard enough." ...

The television spot links images of drought, starvation and Hurricane Katrina to global warming. In it, the Rev. Joel Hunter, pastor of a megachurch in Longwood, Fla., says: "As Christians, our faith in Jesus Christ compels us to love our neighbors and to be stewards of God's creation. The good news is that with God's help, we can stop global warming, for our kids, our world and for the Lord."

The advertisements are to be shown in Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia.