Are religious leaders knowledgeable about environmental justice issues that affect the community in which they pastor?
A case study in Gary, Indiana. According to the Environmental Protection Agency “Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (EPA). My goals include:. • To identify the environmental justice literacy of area church pastors and congregations and how (or if) these issues are addressed in their particular churches. • To identify how community environmental justice issues fit into the congregations. • Determine what role area pastors play in promoting environmental justice awareness. I hope to contribute to my community by raising awareness towards environmetal issues and thereby creating a spark towards action. I plan to achieve this by surveying local pastors who are representative of the church denominations of the community and then developing church curriculum for multiple ages.
