The University of Idaho Sustainability Center held an event yesterday that tackled the discussion of religion and climate change and how they are connected.
The event was titled Interfaith Climate Discussion. The discussion featured a variety of perspectives, both in the audience and by the panelists. The panel was made up of students and community members.
“This is our way of examining climate discussion in a new lens,” Annie Reneau, discussion facilitator, said. “This year, the Sustainability Center wanted to approach the topic of climate change in different lenses to get more students and people involved.”
The panelists included Pete Haug, Cassandra Goodmansen, Elizabeth Siler, Larry Fox and Kassandra Townsend. The event was coordinated by Ruby Breitsprecher, recycling coordinator of the Sustainability Center.
Breitsprecher’s goal of the event was to discuss the role of religion and how it affects views of climate change, not only through discussion by the panelists but also have the audience involved in the conversation. Each question presented to the panelists was also presented to the audience.
“I hope people
come away with new ideas of how faith and climate change can intersect,”
Breitsprecher said. “(I hope they will have) a better understanding of
perspectives that differ from their own and an increased confidence about
talking about climate change in the framework of faith.”
Richard Pathomsiri | Argonaut
Two panelists expressed worry over the fact that they believe climate change has been regulated to a political debate more than anything else. This is just one example where panelists shared common beliefs despite varying faiths.
More information about the Sustainability Center’s events, different resources and ways to get involved can be found on their webpage.
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected].