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From the dawn of Earth's existence, the climate has undergone change, influenced by forces such as the sun, geological shifts, ecological factors, and possibly even extraordinary events like comets and asteroids.
However, in recent times, especially as a result of the industrial revolution, humanity’s role in climate change has become a dominant subject. It is now a central issue in news coverage and is considered by most nations when shaping new laws. Yet, after years of debates, climate change has taken an unexpected turn, now starting to look much like a religion.
This article examines the various aspects of climate change (and its advocacy) that resemble the core attributes typically associated with traditional religions. The goal is not to criticize or praise any side of the climate debate—both of which are highly passionate—but to take an impartial look at the current situation.
10. Sacred Services & Rituals
Most religions host some form of service. In the Christian tradition, these services are formalized as sacraments, designed to bestow God’s grace upon His followers, while at their most fundamental level, they provide psychological comfort to participants. Confession alleviates guilt from wrongdoings, and funerals help us navigate the emotional journey of grief and loss after death.
Recently, some individuals have started advocating for, or engaging in, climate-related services for similar reasons. In Iceland, the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister unveiled a plaque in front of 100 mourners to mark the loss of a 700-year-old glacier named Okjökull. This “climate funeral” was also attended by former Irish President Mary Robinson. The Icelandic geologist who declared Okjökull dead in 2014 was also present, bearing a death certificate.
But funerals aren’t the only climate change-related rituals! NBC News recently launched a platform called “Climate Confessions,” where individuals can admit their environmental misdeeds. The site invites users to share, anonymously, their climate shortcomings: “Even those who care deeply about the planet’s future can slip up now and then. Tell us: Where do you fall short in preventing climate change? Do you blast the A/C? Throw out half your lunch? Grill a steak every week? Share your anonymous confession with NBC News.” These confessions can be viewed by others, and some examples are shown above.
9. Evangelism
In Roman Catholic tradition, an evangelist refers to one of the four authors of the New Testament Gospels: Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. More broadly, the term describes someone who delivers religious sermons. It is also occasionally used in the tech industry to denote someone who passionately advocates for a particular product or brand.
No belief system is complete without its fervent supporters or preachers, and the climate change movement is no exception. This includes figures like Al Gore, various celebrities, and more recently, Greta Thunberg. Thunberg has become something of a Saint Joan of Arc for the climate movement—young, passionate, and even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Her recent speech at the United Nations showcases her fervor:
“People are suffering. People are dying and ecosystems are collapsing. We are at the start of a mass extinction, and all you can focus on is money and the fairy tale of infinite economic growth. How dare you! For more than 30 years, the science has been crystal clear. [ . . . ] How dare you. You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”
8. Tithing
“He also instructed the inhabitants of Jerusalem to give the priests and Levites their share, so they could fulfill the law of the Lord. When the people heard this, the children of Israel generously offered the firstfruits of corn, wine, oil, and honey, and brought a tithe of everything the land produced.” 2 Chronicles 31:4–5
Tithes are similar to a type of tax—often voluntary—where members of a religion contribute a percentage of their income to religious authorities, often around 10 percent. Governments rarely need much pressure to impose new taxes, so it was inevitable that climate change would lead to the creation of a new category of mandatory tithes. Carbon taxes are now being introduced worldwide in the name of climate change. These taxes vary in size but are usually significant, and they are imposed in different ways. For example, in Canada, the carbon tax adds about $0.44 per gallon of gas, doubles the cost of coal, and raises natural gas prices by 75 percent.
7. Martyrdom
Martyrdom is dying for one's beliefs. Throughout history, countless individuals have given their lives for causes they held dear—whether their beliefs were true or not. Climate change is no different in this aspect. In October 2016, Mark Baumer, a 'Climate Activist,' embarked on a barefoot journey across the United States to raise awareness about climate change and water scarcity. He had previously completed a similar trek in 2010, though fully shod.
Baumer maintained an active diary of his journey and became somewhat of a climate change icon. Tragically, in January 2017, while in the midst of his protest, Baumer was struck and killed by an SUV. Just as Saint Peter died for his faith, Mark Baumer died for the cause of climate change. Both are regarded as martyrs for their respective missions.
6. Heretics
Heresy is the stubborn rejection of an accepted religious doctrine—or denialism. Scientists, professors, and even journalists have been dismissed from their positions for challenging mainstream views on climate change. Much like the heretics of the Middle Ages, they are branded as denialists and ostracized from their professional circles. There are even articles on popular news websites aimed at publicly exposing climate change skeptics.
Whether these climate change skeptics are correct or not is irrelevant... what cannot be ignored is how their excommunication from mainstream thought strongly mirrors the case of Galileo Galilei, who was placed under house arrest in the 17th century for asserting that heliocentricity demonstrated the Bible's inaccuracy.
5. Priesthood / Theologians
Much like priests, bishops, and theologians who interpret the Scriptures for the lay people, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reviews all the climate change studies and provides an interpretation for the public. Just as bishops gather in synods, the IPCC meets regularly in various locations worldwide to issue their statements. Governments around the world rely on the data generated by the IPCC to guide their environmental policies and taxation decisions.
The IPCC was established from the Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases, which was founded in 1985 to examine the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment. Yes... politicians have been debating climate change for more than three decades now. The current chair of the panel is South Korean Economics Professor Hoesung Lee.
4. Fatwas
In Islamic tradition, a fatwa is a legal ruling issued by a Muslim mufti or legal expert on specific matters of law. A fatwa can either forbid certain actions or encourage particular behaviors. Similarly, the climate change movement has created its own unofficial list of prohibited items. While compliance is voluntary, failing to follow these bans can result in public shaming, a tactic historically employed in religions to maintain social order. Furthermore, many of these prohibited items are now being targeted for legal bans, such as plastic bags and straws, which release greenhouse gases when they decompose.
What happens when certain items are banned? New alternatives inevitably arise. These new items often carry distinct characteristics, leading us to the climate change sacramentals...
3. Eschatology
Eschatology refers to the theological study of the end times or the fate of humanity. Throughout history, predictions of the end of civilization have been made—and missed. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, began their movement by forecasting specific dates for the apocalypse. When each prediction failed to materialize, they adjusted their stance, adopting the now-established view that the end is ‘imminent’.
Climate change advocates, taking the reins of the Kingdom Hall religion, are deeply concerned that the world’s end is imminent. Here are two recent quotes from active US politicians: 'The world is gonna end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change [...],' and 'The scientists are unanimous on this. We have no more than 12 years to take incredibly bold action on this crisis.'
In 2006, Al Gore’s documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' highlighted a critical ten-year window to save the planet from climate change, suggesting that failure would spell disaster. But eschatology isn’t confined to religion or politics. Recall that not too long ago, many were anticipating the end of the world on December 12, 2012.
2. Feast Days
We all cherish holidays and festivals, many of which have religious roots: Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, to name a few. In today’s world, where days are designated for various causes, it’s no surprise that climate change has its own special days. Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, began in 1970 and wasn’t originally linked to climate change. However, it was co-opted by the movement in 2016, when it became the date for signing the Paris Agreement, a global pact aimed at combating global warming.
The Global Day of Action was initiated in 2005. Unlike Earth Day, which is a passive celebration of the planet, the Global Day of Action serves as a designated day for active protests. It was strategically chosen to align with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with the hope of inspiring political action on climate issues.
1. Sacramentals
Sacramentals are human-made objects designed to serve as reminders of the benefits of piety. In Catholicism, examples include rosary beads, scapulas, crucifixes, holy cards, and more. For Muslims and Buddhists, prayer beads serve a similar purpose. Unlike sacraments, which are considered to come from God, sacramentals are man-made objects.
For those committed to addressing climate change, common sacramentals include reusable shopping bags, metal or paper straws, reusable coffee cups, and a variety of recycled or non-plastic items. While these objects have uses beyond the environmental movement, they hold particular significance within it, as highlighted by the NBC climate confessions.
