Bishops from around the world have met to discuss how faith and science communities can work together in tackling climate crisis. Over 40 bishops from the Americas, Africa, Europe, South Asia, East Asia and Oceania, met online on August 28 and 29.

Many of them represent their Province as a “Lead Science Bishop” on the recently formed Anglican Communion Science Commission. As a lead bishop, they will develop networks of scientists and church leaders in their regions, to work on joint responses to issues facing the world.

Climate crisis is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing humanity, endangering the lives and livelihoods of millions, particularly the poor and vulnerable, while also threatening the integrity and diversity of nature.

During the meeting, bishops heard from different speakers about how the Church can respond.

"Contemplation is important, but wise action is necessary"

Professor Gustavo Assi of the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at the University of São Paulo and Counsellor, Associação Brasileira de Cristãos na Ciência, spoke on how the climate emergency is making a significant impact on our oceans and on the need for people to know their deep connection with the oceans through contemplation and through education in current science, beginning with childrens’ education.

He said: “Good faith-science dialogues will teach us to understand and respect scientific evidence. There is no room for speculation. The scientific community has established some things in ocean and climate science clearly already. Christians need to understand these are truths that belong to God even if they are discovered by a non-believer.”

“…the oceans are a huge source of renewable energy. Offshore wind, tidal currents, waves, thermal gradients… these are clean energy sources that can be wisely explored to fight the emission of greenhouse gases. Also, we can store large quantities of CO2 in geological reservoirs from where we have extracted offshore oil and gas in the past. Churches can help Christians develop good technology before the face of God. Contemplation is important, but wise action is necessary.’

"We are all in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat"

The Revd Canon Dr Rachel Mash, Coordinator of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, spoke of a recent survey that showed that neighbourhoods with densely packed buildings and no trees face temperatures up to 15°C higher than some other areas in the city. ‘We are all in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat. For the wealthy who live in the leafy suburbs it is easy to turn up the air conditioning which of course also increases carbon emissions!’

She described how women generally suffer much more than men when drought, declining fish stocks, floods and tsunamis make an impact on communities. ‘Of the 230,000 who died in the 2004 tsunami two thirds were women. Why? - men were at work – with transport, social media, in solid buildings and could respond faster. Women wear clothes you can’t run in, girls are not taught to swim or climb trees as these are “boyish” activities. Women were also trying to help the children, elderly and sick in their care. After disasters, women are vulnerable to sexual abuse in camps or refugee shelters.’

She encouraged those at the meeting to listen to the human stories behind the statistics to learn how people are directly impacted by climate crisis. She also alerted those at the meeting to different advocacy and campaigning projects that could be undertaken to challenge fuel companies on carbon emissions.

The bishops told each other about the impact of the climate emergency in their own contexts and what their churches are doing to address it.

The conversation was hosted by the Most Revd Julio Murray Thompson, Bishop of Panama, Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America (IARCA) and Revd Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Adviser for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion.

Bishops Conversations – Series will turn to health care, science and faith

The meeting was part of a wider series that has been organised by the Episcopal Ministry Team at the Anglican Communion Office.

The first round of conversations in July was on AI and faith, led by Bishop Steven Croft of Oxford, Co-Chair of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, and Ms Maia Williams of Jamaica, with 45 bishops attending.

The third and final round will be on health care science and faith, led by Dr Heather Payne, consultant paediatrician and Senior Medical Officer for the Welsh Government, UK, and Revd Professor Kwamena Sagoe, Head of Virology at the University of Ghana’s Department of Medical Microbiology, who is the other Co-Chair of the Anglican Communion Science Commission.

The Anglican Communion Office will send information to bishops about the next meeting.