Young Evangelicals for Climate Action

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action
Name	Young Evangelicals for Climate Action
Formation	2014
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Type	Nonprofit advocacy organization
Focus	Climate change, environmental stewardship, faith-based mobilization

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action is an American faith-based advocacy organization that mobilizes evangelical Christians on issues related to climate change, environmental stewardship, and public policy. Founded in 2014, the group seeks to bridge evangelical communities with civic institutions, scientific organizations, and environmental movements to promote climate solutions consistent with evangelical theology. It engages youth and young adult networks through education, policy lobbying, grassroots organizing, and partnerships with religious and secular institutions.

History

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action emerged in 2014 following dialogues among evangelical leaders, faith-based organizations, and environmental advocates concerned with responding to climate change. Its formation drew on the influence of evangelical public figures and organizations such as Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Interfaith Power & Light, World Evangelical Alliance, and the Lausanne Movement that have shaped contemporary evangelical engagement with social issues. Early activities connected with campaigns and statements by entities including The Evangelical Climate Initiative, National Association of Evangelicals, Sojourners, GreenFaith, and networks around the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conferences. The organization has operated within the ecosystem of Washington, D.C. advocacy groups like Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, and Natural Resources Defense Council while maintaining ties to evangelical seminaries and educational institutions such as Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Mission and Beliefs

The group articulates a mission grounded in evangelical doctrines of creation care, stewardship, and intergenerational responsibility, aligning with theological perspectives found in writings by figures such as John Stott, A. W. Tozer, and N.T. Wright. Its public statements reflect engagement with scientific assessments from institutions like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and academic centers including Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University. The organization frames climate action as consistent with biblical mandates and historic evangelical commitments expressed by leaders such as Billy Graham and movements like the Social Gospel revival. It often references policy frameworks shaped by statutes and agreements such as the Clean Air Act, the Paris Agreement, and proposals debated in the United States Congress while advocating for solutions that resonate with evangelical constituencies.

Programs and Campaigns

Programs include educational initiatives, political mobilization, and community projects. Educational efforts have involved workshops and curricula developed with partners such as Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Union of Concerned Scientists, Climate Reality Project, and university programs at Duke University and Yale University. Political campaigns have coordinated voter engagement around climate-related ballots and legislative timelines, interfacing with coalitions like Faithful Voter Project and civic groups including League of Conservation Voters and Rock the Vote. Grassroots organizing has produced local creation-care projects in partnership with congregations affiliated with networks like the Southern Baptist Convention, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, Assemblies of God, and campus ministries such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Issue-specific campaigns have advocated for renewable energy deployment, carbon pricing mechanisms debated in venues like U.S. Senate, and resilience funding for communities affected by disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy.

Organization and Leadership

The group's leadership has included young evangelical organizers, pastors, and alumni of faith-based fellowships and civic programs such as Trinity Forum, The Fellowship (Christian organization), and leadership tracks linked to Harvard Kennedy School and Georgetown University. Board members and staff have often had prior roles at institutions including World Vision, CARE USA, Alliance Defending Freedom, and faith-based think tanks like Institute on Religion and Democracy. Volunteer networks draw from collegiate and seminary populations at schools such as Liberty University, Wheaton College (Illinois), Bethel University, and Biola University. Fundraising and governance reflect relationships with philanthropic entities and foundations active in faith and environment work, comparable to supporters of The Pew Charitable Trusts and family foundations connected to evangelical philanthropists.

Partnerships and Advocacy

Partnerships span interfaith coalitions, scientific organizations, policy institutes, and environmental NGOs. Collaborations have occurred with Interfaith Power & Light, Sojourners, GreenFaith, World Resources Institute, and academic centers like Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Advocacy efforts include testimony before legislative bodies, participation in public forums associated with United Nations Climate Change conferences, and joint statements with coalitions such as Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Catholic Climate Covenant. The organization has sought to influence policy debates alongside groups like Environmental Defense Fund, NRDC, and faith-policy entities engaging with executive agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters credit the organization with mobilizing evangelical youth, influencing church-level discussions, and elevating faith-based voices in climate policymaking alongside groups such as Sierra Club and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Critics from segments of the evangelical community and conservative political circles—some aligned with organizations like Americans for Prosperity or Heritage Foundation—have challenged its policy priorities and alliances. Academic commentators from institutions such as Princeton University and University of California, Berkeley have analyzed its effectiveness in shifting public opinion among religious demographics. Evaluations point to successes in creating local creation-care programs and contributing to multi-faith coalitions, while debates continue over theological framing, political strategy, and engagement with partisan actors.

Category:Christian environmental organizations Category:Evangelical organizations