Climate change and religion

A new civic initiative connects religion to defending the climate

Religion has a growing potential as a driving force for engagement with climate change. This is particularly true in the context of increasing public and political support for conservative and traditionalist world views and messages, which marks the political scenes of Bulgaria and other EU members. Examining and understanding religions’ attitudes to climate is thus becoming essential for climate defenders.  This is why BlueLink - the Civic Think-and-Action Network - is exploring the connections between religion and climate change. International and Bulgarian experts and enthusiasts in this subject met on January 14, 2025 at BlueLink’s office in Sofia. It is difficult to formulate a connection between climate and religion, observed Kalin Angelov, a prominent human rights lawyer, currently pursuing a PhD in Christian theology.

First steps

Yet, Angelov and other participants agreed that it is worthwhile trying. Moral justification through religious affiliation as a way to influence attitudes to climate change has not been explored and has great potential, said BlueLink’s senior legal and policy advisor Plamen Peev at the meeting. It is sometimes easier for a non-clerical civic organization such as BlueLink to invite different religious denominations on a difficult subject, confirmed Bruce Clark, a prominent orthodox journalist and writer.

As a next step BlueLink’s team is mapping and conceptualising publications and statements by experts and religious leaders, gathering existing knowledge and experience - in Bulgaria and internationally. We are reaching out to academics, members and leaders of key religious denominations, civic Climate Coalition members, state and other relevant stakeholders, explained Pavel Antonob, BlueLink’s Executive Editor and scientific lead of the initiative.

An astonishing finding for BlueLink’s team was the recent publication in Bulgarian language of On Earth As In Heaven - a third volume of the selected writings by the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The book showcases his statements on environmental degradation, global warming, and climate change, and proclaims the primacy of spiritual values in determining environmental ethics and action. Given the theological proximity between independent Orthodox churches, this translation is an important milestone for our project, Antonov said.

BlueLink’s initiative also reflected on the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, who is likely to continue his predecessor's commitment to the stewardship of the environment by the Catholic Church. Leo has spoken against the "harmful" consequences of unchecked technological advancement and aligns closely with previous Pope Francis' environmental priorities. Catholicism is spread out in Bulgaria too, and we are looking to explore the Vatican’s leadership on climate awareness, Antonov explained.

Conference and book launch

To streamline knowledge and stimulate exchange of scientific, clerical and practitioner perspectives to religion and climate change, BlueLink will hold an Academic-Practitioner Conference on Religion, Science and Climate in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. , months 6 - 8. The event will employ knowledge and analysis of religious engagement with climate change and its potential for climate advocacy, Academic researchers from various fields, religious scholars and spiritual leaders, as well as climate scientists, policy advocacy practitioners and decision makers are invited to present research papers and reports from practical initiatives that bridge the nexus between climate change and religion. Publishing a collection of inputs to the workshop is also being planned.

A festive launching event of the Bulgarian language edition of On Earth As In Heaven by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will be held parallel to the conference, with the participation of the book’s translator and scholar Zlatina Karavalcheva. Bulgarian Orthodox Church and other religions leaders will be invited to attend, as well as conference participants and journalists. 

The overall purpose of this initiative is to explore and enhance the potential of both religious approaches and interreligious dialogue to climate change, with the overall goal of connecting them to climate science and strengthening climate advocacy, Antonov explained.
BlueLink is a pioneering civic think-and-action network, founded by prominent environmental groups and journalists back in 1998. For over 25 years BlueLink has been providing e-networking, analytical and capacity building support to civil society groups, journalists and other stakeholders, to foster nature protection, democracy and core EU values. BlueLink is currently offering logistical support to the Climate Coalition - Bulgaria and is a member of the EU Network Justice&Environment.

BlueLink’s co-founder and Executive Editor Pavel Antonov brings in the experience of a former TV journalist and anchor of Sofia’s Tales - a weekly programme on culture and religious tolerance, and chief editor who oversaw the starting of first orthodox TV show Ikonostas at Nova TV (still on air). As chief editor of the Green Horizon magazine of the Regional Environmental Center for CEE in 2001 - 2007, Antonov participated in - and inspired by - waterborne Religion, Science and Environment symposia held by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. ⧫

The project is supported by the European Climate Foundation.