Christianity
OVERVIEW
Christianity has the largest religious following in the world, with almost 2.4 billion members and a 2,000-year history, and is expected to grow to 2.9 billion in 2050, with growth concentrated in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ who they believe is the Son of God made man, and who died and rose again. However, there is huge variety in how the Christian faith is practised in both the key established traditions (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Episcopalian) and the newer traditions of the last 150 years (Evangelical, Charismatic / Pentecostal, Independent).
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Since 2015, in particular, the Laudato Si’ encyclical issued by Pope Francis, in which he called on all people to ‘hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor', has had a hugely positive impact on how Christians globally view and treat nature.
'To safeguard biodiversity, we can take action by planting trees and form partnerships with organisations that care for land and seas. We must act together so that there is no more biodiversity loss and prioritize restoring degraded ecosystems, including on church land. We can grow Laudato Si’ gardens, living chapels, support regenerative agriculture and agroecology practices that protect and nourish human and planetary health.'
– Cardinal Peter Turkson, Vatican Biodiversity webinar, 20 April 2021
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
This webinar hosted by the Vatican in 2021 issued a call to action to Christians to protect biodiversity.
Watch the video opposite or click below to read Cardinal Turkson's speech.
BELIEFS & VALUES
Christian beliefs & values share much common ground with conservation.
Christians believe there is only one God but that he exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is the known as the Trinity. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God made flesh, and came to Earth to show, through his death on the cross (the Crucifixion) and his Resurrection on the third day, that death could be overcome and sins forgiven.
Love: Love has always been central to Christian faith. Jesus commanded, 'Love your neighbour as yourself'. This loving relationship with others now increasingly includes all life on Earth.
Care for Creation: The Earth is seen as the generosity of God, symbolic of God’s love, and therefore caring for all of God's creation is fundamental to our relationship with God. The Season of Creation (September 1-October 4) is a special time each year when Christians spend time in prayer and action for the environment.
Integral ecology: A key concept in Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si', this means that 'everything is connected' and so requires an integrated, holistic approach. Nature cannot be considered as separate from ourselves, or solely for our benefit.
Rooting out greed: Over-exploitation is seen as a sin that goes against divine wisdom. Christians should resist species extinction for human benefit because all life belongs to God.
Justice: Jesus said he was sent 'to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free'. (Luke 4:18). Christians are called to follow him and confront injustice where they find it. Destruction of the environment impacts heavily on the poorest and most vulnerable, and damages God's creation.
Animals featured in the Bible show God’s creativity and compassion: 'How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number...” (Psalm 104:24-27). Christians have a responsibility to protect and care for nature.
The window of St Francis of Assisi, Westminster Abbey, London. St Francis (1181-1226) is the patron saint of animals and ecology, and is often depicted with birds and animals. His prayer, Canticle of the Creatures, giving praise and glory for all of God's creatures, is one of the inspirations for Laudato Si'.
DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS
Christianity is very diverse and multi-faceted in terms of its traditions, denominations, practices and interpretations.
While all share common foundational beliefs, there is also huge variety in how the Christian faith is practised – both in the established traditions (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Episcopalian) and in the newer traditions.
With the rise of Evangelical, Charismatic, Pentecostalist and Independent churches over the last 150 years, there are at least 45,000 different Christian traditions, according to the World Christian Encyclopedia. Click below for more information about the key denominations, their followers and global reach.
CHRISTIANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental care has become a priority at the highest levels of the key Christian traditions. In 1990, the three established traditions spoke about this. Click below to find out what they said.
PROTESTANT
CATHOLIC
ORTHODOX
EXPLORE CHRISTIAN ACTION IN CONSERVATION
There are almost 2.4 billion Christians today, found in virtually all corners of the world.
Many Christian groups are taking a proactive role in protecting and conserving nature, visible through their participation in Climate Summits, endorsing sustainable agriculture systems such as ‘Farming God's Way’, and by honoring an annual season of Creationtide to celebrate nature. Christian action on the environment includes replanting degraded forests, protecting vulnerable species, caring for threatened habitats, living simply with an awareness of our lifestyle choices, greening churches and congregations, and lifting Christian voices to defend biodiversity through dialogue and action. The Catholic Church is also one of the largest divestors from fossil fuels.
CATHOLIC
1.3 billion followers, according to the Vatican's Pontifical Yearbook for 2022.
REGION
Global reach, with substantial presence in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia and North America. In 2020 49% of all Christians were Catholic.
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
The Pope (head of the worldwide Catholic Church), Cardinals, Bishops. National Bishops’ Conferences are major decision making bodies within countries.
PROTESTANT
REGION
North America and Europe (though populations are declining), Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania. In 2020 African Protestants represented 44% of the global total and are projected to reach 55% by 2050
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
Varies greatly. In institutional churches: Archbishops/Bishops, Moderators, Pastors, Elders
ORTHODOX
REGION
Eastern Europe, especially post Soviet republics, Growing rapidly in Western Europe, Scandinavia and the US. Ethiopia has 14% of all Orthodox (around 36 million).
Other Orthodox are the Coptic Church of Egypt; the Ethiopian Orthodox, Armenian, Syrian, Assyrian
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is First Amongst Equals, with Patriarchs in Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, as well as in Russia (not in communion with other Churches), Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia.
Other Orthodox do not recognise the Orthodox Churches above.
EVANGELICAL
REGION
Very strong in the United States, Africa, Latin America and Asia. While the United States has the most evangelicals, globally, evangelicalism is mostly a non-White movement, with 77% of all Evangelicals living in the Global South in 2020.
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
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INDEPENDENT CHURCES
REGION
Primarily in former colonial areas of the world. Strong across Africa, in Latin America and in places such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
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CHARISMATIC / PENTECOSTALS
REGION
Worldwide. Widespread throughout the Protestant, Evangelical and Independent churches but also forming new communities in the same regions.
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
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Be inspired
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
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Groups working on Christianity & conservation
This is just a small number of the Christian groups working on conservation globally.
Laudato Si' Action Platform – This Vatican-led initiative invites individuals and church organisations such as parishes and diocese to put Laudato Si’ into practice.
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Laudato Si' Movement (formerly the Global Catholic Climate Movement) is the biggest global network of individuals, Catholic institutions and organisations working for climate and ecological justice, in collaboration with all people of good will.
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Green Anglicans: Environmental network in central and southern Africa
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Green Christian: UK-based movement of Christians working to care for Creation
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Anglican Alliance: Climate emergency resource centre
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The Lambeth Call on the Environment and Sustainable Development: Part of the Anglican Communion's three-part conference between 2021 to 2025 focusing on the needs of a 21st century world.
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World Council of Churches – A fellowship of 352 churches from more than 120 countries, representing over 580 million Christians worldwide.
Creation Justice Ministries – (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the US.
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A Rocha International – global family of conservation organisations working together to care for creation.
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Operation Noah – Christian charity with a climate focus
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Eco-Congregation – ecumenical programme linking environmental issues and Christian faith
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Interfaith Power and Light – US-based charity Inspiring people of faith to take bold action on climate change
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The Regeneration Project https://www.theregenerationproject.org/
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Catholic ecclesial networks inspiring local responses to Laudato Si', particularly in dialogue with indigenous, aborignal and native communities.
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Tearfund – Christian charity tackling poverty and injustice through sustainable development.
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World Vision – the world's biggest Christian charity, empowering children and communities out of poverty.
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Key guidance documents
Interested in getting a collaboration or a project going with a faith community but not sure where to start? Check out these key guidance documents.
