Why Focus on Environmental Law?

Morality. Traditional values. Ethics. Faith. In connection with law, these terms are most often associated with issues like abortion, marriage, and religious freedom—the so-called “culture wars.” When it comes to debate over environmental issues, though, the skirmishers far more often appeal to research studies and cost/benefit analysis than to the Bible. But, as Christians, we know that God our Creator reigns over all things, visible and invisible. That includes every sphere of life and every field of law. For this reason, Christians are called to “take every thought captive to obey Christ”. . . even thoughts in the minds of Christian lawyers and even thoughts about the environment. Thus, the Christian legal community must not shrink from the task of applying our faith to the pressing legal issues surrounding climate change, energy production, endangered species, and natural resource conservation. We fail our duty to God, to each other, and to our children if we ignore the creation God has entrusted to us.