Global warming’s potential effects can be better addressed through collaboration with religion, a Boston University professor said yesterday in the Biological and Physics Research Building.
Theology professor John Hart told the 60 students in attendance that modern religious institutions have attempted to prevent fatal outcomes of global warming.
“There is an apparent conflict between religion people and science people,” he said during his lecture. “I wonder if there’s a way to bridge the two.”
Hart, who stressed the importance of teamwork between scientists, ecologists and religious institutions, said global warming could result in glaciers melting and eventually forests, fields and farms burning.
“What I’d like to see, and what I promote when I travel from place to place, is church people and scientists and environmentalists working with responsible business leaders,” he said, “and working with people to promote care for the environment.”
Hart said some religious groups, including evangelists, are only now starting to become concerned about environmental issues.
“Churches aren’t doing enough either,” he said, “but religious organizations are beginning to put in effort.”
Hart cited examples of global warming already occurring, including Montana’s Glacier National Park, where glaciers have decreased from 150 to 27 since 1800. The Earth’s melting glaciers in continents like Antarctica could also lead to a rise in water levels that would sink coastal areas around the world, he said.
“People don’t think global warming is really happening,” Hart said after the event. “Universities should train teachers . . . to teach science comprehensively in early childhood.”
Hart said taking action to prevent global warming today “will have an impact on the . . . Earth we live in tomorrow.”