Kim Batten (BA, Political Science, IUI 2024) conducted her research and wrote this blog-post during the fall 2024 course, “Power, Sex, and Money” (taught by Prof. David Craig). She explores how GreenFaith uses religious moral languages in their social media and activism.

By Kim Batten

When it comes to addressing the climate crisis, many look to politics and science for solutions. Yet, Greenfaith—a multi-faith grassroots organization—shows us that religion can be a powerful force for environmental justice.[1] By blending spiritual teachings, political advocacy, and grassroots activism, Greenfaith exemplifies how religious communities can address climate change while inspiring systemic reform. For students at IUI exploring the intersections of religion and politics, Greenfaith’s work offers valuable insights into how faith-based values can drive meaningful climate action. Particularly through personal, direct and indirect participation.

Lesson 1: Religion Amplifies Moral Authority in Climate Advocacy

One of Greenfaith’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to frame environmental issues as moral imperatives rooted in religious teachings. By emphasizing stewardship, justice, and interconnectedness, Greenfaith leverages spiritual beliefs to inspire action.

• Islamic stewardship (khalifa) reminds followers of their responsibility to protect the earth as God’s trustees.[2]
• Christian ethics call for care for creation and addressing environmental harm as an extension of loving one’s neighbor (Luke 14:18-19).[3]
• Buddhist teachings on compassion urge followers to reduce ecological suffering caused by systemic violence.[4]

These faith-based arguments resonate deeply with believers, providing a persuasive framework that transcends political divides. Greenfaith’s campaigns show that religion, when mobilized effectively, can be a unifying and motivating force in climate activism.[5] See here for an example of a USA Faith Climate Action at Chase Bank, NYC.

Lesson 2: Interfaith Collaboration is a Catalyst for Systemic Change

Greenfaith’s unique strength is in its ability to unite diverse religious affiliations under a single shared mission. Through “Circles” in over 100 locations worldwide, the organization connects people from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and interfaith backgrounds to work collaboratively on campaigns.[6]This approach not only amplifies their reach but also demonstrates the power of interfaith cooperation in addressing complex global challenges. Whether it’s organizing protests against fossil fuel projects in France or advocating for environmental protection in Brazil, Greenfaith shows that religious diversity can be an asset in political activism.

Lesson 3: Social Media is an Essential Tool for Mobilizing Communities

In the digital age, Greenfaith has mastered the art of using social media to educate, inspire, and organize. Here’s how they do it:

• Storytelling with a purpose: Social media posts feature personal stories of faith leaders and activists, such as a Muslim cleric calling for action to protect marginalized communities from climate impacts.[7] These narratives create emotional connections with followers.
• Visual impact: Their Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds are filled with photos of marches, educational webinars, and creative protest imagery, making the movement both relatable and aspirational.
• Localized campaigns with global reach: Greenfaith tailors its messages to specific regions while sequentially sharing them globally, demonstrating how climate action is both a local and universal issue.
• Hashtag activism: Greenfaith’s hashtags, such as #Faith4Climate, amplify their campaigns by creating a cohesive online movement. These hashtags connect diverse posts and make it easier for others to find and engage with their message.

These strategies demonstrate that effective political advocacy today requires a combination of grassroots organizing, a strong online presence, and the strategic use of relatable messaging to connect with diverse audiences.

Lesson 4: Faith and Politics Can Work Together for the Greater Good

Greenfaith’s campaigns challenge the perception that religion and politics must remain separate. Instead, they show how faith-based activism can hold governments and corporations accountable while advocating for systemic reforms. This aligns with Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, which calls for sustainable solutions that prioritize the planet and marginalized communities.[8]

For example, Greenfaith’s Buddhist members emphasize how climate change reflects systemic violence tied to free-market exploitation. By highlighting the role of unjust systems in ecological harm, Greenfaith bridges the gap between spiritual values and political advocacy, encouraging followers to take action against powerful polluters – specifically against environmental extraction and exploitation.[9] [10]

Conclusion: Mobilizing Faith for a Livable, Good Future

Greenfaith’s work teaches us that faith communities are not just spiritual havens—they are powerful agents for political and environmental change. For IUI students, this offers a compelling blueprint for how religion can be harnessed to address urgent local, national, and global issues. Whether you identify with a specific faith tradition or approach these issues from a secular perspective, Greenfaith reminds us that collaboration, compassion, and commitment are essential to creating a just and sustainable future.[11]

As students navigating the complex intersections of religion and politics, take this lesson to heart: activism is most effective when it speaks to the values people hold closest. And for many, those values are rooted in faith.

Explore more about Greenfaith and their campaigns at greenfaith.org.

[1] Greenfaith.org

[2] Haq, S. Nomanul. “Islam and Ecology: Toward Retrieval and Reconstruction.” Daedalus, vol. 130, no. 4, 2001, pp. 141–77. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20027722. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

[3] Kearns, Laurel. “Saving the Creation: Christian Environmentalism in the United States.” Sociology of Religion, vol. 57, no. 1, 1996, pp. 55–70. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3712004. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

[4] Sivaraksa, Sulak. “Ecological Suffering: From a Buddhist Perspective.” Buddhist-Christian Studies, vol. 34, 2014, pp. 147–53. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24801360. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

[5] Greenfaith.org

[6] Greenfaith.org

[7] Greenfaith.org

[8] Francis. Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. 2015. Vatican.

[9] Sivaraksa, Sulak. “Ecological Suffering: From a Buddhist Perspective.”

[10] Greenfaith.org

[11] Hitzhusen, Gregory E., and Mary Evelyn Tucker. “The Potential of Religion for Earth Stewardship.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, vol. 11, no. 7, 2013, pp. 368–76.

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