For over four decades, NCSE has worked to ensure that what is taught in science classrooms and beyond is accurate and consistent with the best current understanding of the scientific community. Our work has often involved resisting challenges from groups that seek to undermine science education for ideological reasons, which are often religious in nature. However, NCSE also has a long history of partnering with people of faith who support accurate science. For example, NCSE promoted the Clergy Letter Project defending the teaching of evolution and later the Clergy Climate Letter. In addition, NCSE’s Education and Outreach team trains teachers on cultural and religious sensitivity, including highlighting the fact that many scientists and religious groups view faith and science as complementary ways of knowing.
We are happy to report that some Christian communities are combining the spiritual practices of Lent, the period of 40 days leading up to Easter, with climate action. Fasting from specific foods during Lent is a longstanding tradition for many Christian communities. Over the last decade, some communities have begun to combine these practices with climate action. For example, the Climate Justice Team at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, has developed a Lent Carbon Reduction Calendar which encourages people to combine their spiritual practices during Lent with actions to reduce their carbon footprint. The calendar provides a variety of ideas and activities to help participants learn about climate change and take action, including: recipes for meatless Mondays, links to stay up-to-date on climate-related legislative bills in the 2025 Nebraska Legislature, and recommendations for books and documentaries about climate change.
Carmen Maurer, a member of the Climate Justice Team at St. Paul UMC who helped to develop this year’s calendar, says this is the fifth year that her congregation has done a carbon fast for Lent. When the team began planning for this year’s calendar, some members wondered if the idea had run its course and they should plan something new. However, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Jane Florence, a former English teacher and school principal, encouraged the team to continue the carbon fast this year.
“For us it truly is a justice issue. The impacts of the changing climate will be felt the most by those individuals with the least resources,” Maurer explains.
