The Wisconsin Interfaith Power and Light (WIPL) is a group of people of all faiths working to reduce the emissions that cause global warming. They are concerned about the effects of climate change, especially the majority which are caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels not only releases carbon dioxide—the most common of the “greenhouse gases”—but a host of other toxins and carcinogens including nitrogen-oxides, mercury, sulfur-dioxide and particulate matter or soot. WIPL emphasizes that it is also our own future at stake. Studies have linked air pollutants to health problems: respiratory disease, asthma, heart and lung conditions and premature death.

All faiths profess the protection of nature in their teachings. For example, consider the teachings regarding the earth from the four following faiths:

Christianity—“And God created the great whales, and every living creature that moves…and God saw that it was good.” Also, “Justice, justice, you shall pursue, in order that you and your children may live.”

Judaism—“…speak to the earth and it will teach you; the fish of the sea, they will inform you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Eternal has done this?”

Islam—“And the earth We have spread out; set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.” (The Qur’an 67:1-4). “…and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), in order that ye may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance.” (The Qur’an 55:7-9).

Buddhism—“…a king banyan tree called Steadfast, and the shade of its widespread branches was cool and lovely. …Now there came a man who ate his fill of fruit, broke down a branch, and went his way. Thought the spirit dwelling in that tree, ‘How amazing, how astonishing it is, that a man should be so evil as to break off a branch of the tree, after eating his fill.

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