Communicating Climate Change Through Narratives: A Cross Pollination of Science and Theology

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine how UK Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) communicate climate change through narratives. Through a cross pollination of science and theology this chapter examines different ways of communicating climate change from faith perspectives. The data was generated from three UK based FBOs using the qualitative methods of interviews, observations and document analysis focusing on the organisations campaigns rather than their supporter’s responses. The paper examines the use of the language of science in campaign narratives communicating climate change. Proceeding on to examine how theology surpasses climate science in campaign narratives aimed at raising awareness of climate change and inspiring responsibility to act. This paper discusses the challenges faced by the FBOs when using scientific data, as science and religion have not always been harmonious companions. This paper analyses how the FBOs aim to overcome messages of doom and gloom to create hope for the future by communicating climate change using narratives. Examining how, through theology, the organisations harness the psychology of hope appraising whether science can play a role in this approach and, if not, how it is overcome.