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Part Robertson's Sweaty Global Warming Epiphany Challenges American Environmental Movement
In October 2005, Robertson's 700 Club featured Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe characterizing Global Warming believers as "far left" and Robertson - throwing in a sharp jab, presumeably directed at evangelicals - depicting those with environmental concerns as at risk of idolatry by worshipping "God's creation" rather than God. Strong words indeed. Robertson's recent Damascus moment has increased the political isolation of Inhofe and other Global Warming denialists. Had Robertson's conversion occured earlier in the year, it might well have tipped the balance - in a hard fought battle [ link to AU story, see midway down page ] among the US National Association of Evangelicals - towards a vote advocating US government action on Global Warming [ link - Christian Century story, March 2006 ]. Given the importance of evangelical support as part of the Bush administration and GOP political base, an NAE vote advocating action on Global Warming might well have forced the Bush Administration to back off rom it's mendacious mumblings on the issue and take action, however tentative, to curb greenhouse gasses. The process would have at least begun. Well, that was not to be. Was the American environmental community even aware of, or paying more than passing attention to, the pitched battle, in the NAE in early 2006, over Global Warming ? Relatively small resources directed in precisely targeted ways could possibly have tipped the vote had environmentalists had some detailed knowledge of the politics of the Christian right. But, what could have been was not to be. The moment came and went, and - for the time being at least - the NAE has backed off advocating action on Global Warming. Will the American environmental community start to pay more attention to how religion - for better or worse - influences the US government position on Global Warming and other environmental issues ? Will environmentalists build stronger, smarter strategic alliances with growing evangelical environmental movement ? Will the leadership of big American environmental advocacy organizations undergo "Damascus moments" of their own and learn how they can influence internal politics among American religious constituencies to force meaningful US government action on Global Warming and related, gathering environmental crises ? Will they be equipped and prepared to lobby for their interests prior to the next NAE vote on Global Warming ? Time will tell, but time grows short.
Part Robertson's Sweaty Global Warming Epiphany Challenges American Environmental Movement | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
Part Robertson's Sweaty Global Warming Epiphany Challenges American Environmental Movement | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
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