Focus on the Family recognizes the biblical mandate that Christians be good stewards of the physical world. (For more, see Focus on the Family’s “Statement on the Environment.”)
It’s with this biblical foundation in mind that we approach the much debated topic of human-induced “global warming” – the theory that human activity is causing the earth to experience a destructive, gradual increase in the average global temperature. Governmental policies and proposals with far-reaching economic and social ramifications designed to counter this purported trend are at the fore of national discussion.
Yet, many unanswered questions remain regarding global-warming claims. These include the essential matters of whether reports of increased temperatures are due to natural causes, what impact – if any – can be traced to human activity, and whether there is anything we can do to make a difference. Greater certainty is critical before public policy decisions of such magnitude are made.
Despite the uncertainty, some evangelical leaders have insisted global warming should be prioritized as the most important social issue that confronts us today. Focus on the Family firmly disagrees. For some evangelicals to position the theory of human-induced global warming above the reality of the ongoing attacks against the family and a Christian worldview is perplexing and troubling.
Nevertheless, it seems clear that the larger public and scientific dialogue over global warming is far from resolved. In the meantime, Focus on the Family believes we should devote our primary energy to the clear tasks at hand – the protection of marriage and nurture of families, defense of the pre-born child, support of religious liberty and preservation of morality and decency in the culture. These issues and the spread of the Gospel represent the primary mandate of Focus on the Family.
