A 21st century hot topic, global warming typically gets a cold reception from faith-based communities. Challenging many preconceptions, Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley have written, “A Climate For Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions” (FaithWords, Oct. 29, 2009; ISBN: 978-0-446-54956-1).

With the perfect mix of backgrounds and expertise, this married duo brings a unique perspective to an issue that is currently fiercely debated on the political scene. Through “A Climate For Change,” Hayhoe and Farley paint an engaging picture of recent changes in the Earth’s climate and how these affect life as we know it.

Katharine Hayhoe, an expert reviewer for the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, life’s work is dedicated to discovering and communicating the realities of a changing climate to those who will be affected most by it. With degrees in physics and astronomy from the University of Toronto and atmospheric sciences from the University of Illinois, Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist with an expertise in climate change issues. She is founder and CEO of ATMOS Research, and professor in the Department of Geosciences at Texas Tech University.

Andrew Farley, lead teaching pastor of Ecclesia (EcclesiaOnline.com). a growing church on the high plains of Texas, co-hosts “Real Life in Christ,” a thought-provoking television program that disputes many long-held ideas about Christian living. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Furman University, a master’s degree from The University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Farley is a tenured professor at Texas Tech University and author of “The Naked Gospel: The Truth You May Never Hear in Church.”

Oct. 29, 6 a.m.-9 a.m. CDT
Oct. 30, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. CDT
Additional times based on request and availability

Via phone or Skype video

Experts in their respective fields, Hayhoe and Farley can speak to a variety of topics related to science and faith:

Hayhoe:

• The science of climate change: how we know it is primarily caused by humans
• How climate change will affect us: its impacts on our health and welfare, society, economy, natural resources and the environment
• The policy of climate change: why we should do something about it, and how various proposals will contribute to a solution
• The relationship between science and faith

Farley:

• A faith-based response to global warming
• The debate among conservatives and evangelicals about global warming
• Does the Bible really motivate environmentalism?
• Biblical perspectives on Christian freedom and obligation

Hayhoe and Farley agree that the natural greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide “is a beautiful example of the care God has taken in designing our planet to be so perfectly suited for life.”

The problem? Human activities are enhancing the greenhouse effect, adding to it through producing increasing amounts of heat-trapping gases from industry, agriculture, electricity generation and transportation. These emissions are released into the atmosphere where they trap the heat produced by the Earth that would otherwise escape to space, much like an unneeded extra blanket on a warm summer night. This build-up will radically alter conditions on our planet unless there is collective and deliberate change of course.

It makes sense for each person to reduce their carbon footprint – a person’s day-to-day impact on the environment. As Christians, it is also an opportunity to do whatever possible to assist the global neighborhood. Simple methods, making use of current technologies, can help tremendously. Hayhoe and Farley believe that it will take everyone working together to save the planet, stating “Christianity has always been about looking beyond ourselves and becoming aware of the needs around us.”

For more information about “A Climate For Change,” check out www.alrcnewskitchen.com/climateforchange. To arrange an interview with Katharine Hayhoe or Andrew Farley, please contact Julie Shutley at 972.267.1111 or via e-mail at jshutley@alarryross.com.

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