Religious and scientific communities can finally agree on one thing -- our climate is changing, and the public needs to realize its implications.
On Oct. 7 and 8, the Rock Ethics Institute and the Jewish Studies Program will hold a conference called "Stewardship or Sacrifice? Religion & the Ethics of Climate Change" at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. The conference will feature a panel of climate scientists offering information on climate change and theologians explaining the role of religion.
The conference will include lectures, panels and workshops so students and the community can understand the ethical implications of climate change and how it will affect them, said Jonathan Brockopp, associate professor of history and religious studies.
"This is an interactive conference, so there's lots of time for face-to-face conversation with our speakers," he said. "The workshops are a chance to work on practical ways to solve climate change. We're moving from the science convictions right to the practical elements of what we do day-to-day."
Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, founder of the environmental campaign Interfaith Power and Light will speak at the event.
Bingham said she plans to introduce the community to her work in The Regeneration Project, a mobilization of religious response to global warming.
"Our mission statement is to deepen the connection between ecology and faith," said Bingham, who will speak on Thursday. "It's called 'Stewardship or Sacrifice,' but it is not about sacrifice. It's about change. It's about doing things differently."
Also speaking is Michael E. Mann, Penn State professor of meteorology and geosciences and co-author of Dire Predictions: Understanding Global Warming.
He encouraged students to attend because they will feel the effects of climate change.
"It's extremely important for students to get involved in this issue," Mann said. "A lot of the serious impacts won't be felt by my generation -- it will be felt by yours."
Mann said the conference will be unique in considering the ethical implications of climate change, not just the scientific facts.
"There is much discussion about the economic implications of climate change, but there is often far less discussion of the ethical implications," Mann said.
