Environment & Resources

Although too much can be made of connections between Protestantism and science, it is not coincidental that the Reformation and the rise of modern science occurred at the same time and in many of the same places.

ISCAST fellow Mick Pope writes: "Any time there is a ‘natural disaster’, or what insurance companies might call ‘an act of God’, there is a variety of responses from Christians. Some mourn with those who suffer, but quickly jump in with what they think is most needed - Bibles. Some are very quick to judge and scapegoat whatever cause, be it social or political, they dislike. Others, like Kirk Cameron, make ill-timed statements that are only half-correct ..."

ISCAST fellow Ian Hore-Lacy featured recently on the ABC's slightly irreverent weekly radio show God Forbid; he was discussing a Christian perspective on the use of resources. Ian was mildly frustrated at the lack of opportunity to correct some of the ill-informed comments of others on the program. You will find Ian's comments just after 18 minutes into the program.

ISCAST fellow Mick Pope writes ... George Monbiot recently wrote a piece in the Guardian challenging us to change our language when it comes to talking about topics like the environment, climate change and extinctions.

Whether or not octopuses should be viewed as charming or terrifying very much depends on your personal perspective. But it’s hard to deny their intelligence.

Nature is your church? Not so fast, says an Indian reservation priest. If there’s a spirituality of the land, it’s tougher than any religion you might be escaping. The article starts:

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ISCASTian Ian Barns suggests we post a link to this interview with Katherine Hayhoe. It's worth a read for two reasons, says Ian: "One, Katherine Hayhoe is the world’s most prominent evangelical climate scientist; two, it's also a good story about climate change communication (see near the end of the interview)." Thanks Ian!

Dr Jane Goodall, renowned humanitarian and conservationist, ‘the chimp lady’, and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, visited Australia to share her dream of a world where people, animals and the environment all coexist in a sustainable future.