Fora

Since 1980, Au Sable Forums have brought together scholars and practitioners in the natural sciences, ethics, and theology. Participants prepare, present and discuss contributions toward a better understanding of Creation and of ways we can properly care for, keep, and restore it.

These conferences focus on critical areas at the interface of environment and Christianity- oftentimes areas that previously have been overlooked or inadequately addressed. Au Sable Forums are therefore at the cutting-edge of our understanding of environmental stewardship.

A significant proportion of workers in this area, nationally and internationally, have attended and have been influenced by Au Sable Forums. Their contributions have been shared with the wider public through books such as: Tending the Garden: Essays on the Gospel and the Earth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987); The Environment and the Christian (Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1991); Missionary Earthkeeping (Atlanta: Mercer University Press, 1992); and a special issue of the Evangelical Review of Theology (Carlisle Cumbria, England: Paternoster Press, 1993).

Forum 2002: Global Climate Change
Forum 2002 on Global Climate Change was held on July 14-17, 2002 at St. Anne's College in Oxford. This event brought together scientists, policymakers, and religious leaders to address what is perhaps the major environmental challenge of the 21st Century.

Policymakers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and worldwide need a solid grasp of the science of climate change and its consequences. They also need to be cognizant of the ethical implications of possible responses to climate change.

Christian individuals and organizations have an important role in voicing the moral dimensions of this issue. To do so, they need to be aware of current scientific knowledge as well as to reflect on how care for the earth is integrally linked with the core doctrines of creation, redemption, resurrection, and Christ's return.

Therefore, the purpose of Forum 2002 was to enable top policymakers and religious leaders to hear directly from scientists about climate change, and to provide a forum for discussion of how churches, individuals, and institutions in the wider society should respond.

The Forum gathered over 70 participants for three days of plenary presentations, group discussions, and working sessions to develop a conference statement.

The Forum was sponsored by the John Ray Initiative (U.K.) and the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies (U.S.). Organizers are Sir John Houghton, co-chair of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and Dr. Calvin B. DeWitt, Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and Director of the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies.

Previous Forums have been held on the following themes:
1980: Environmental Ethics
1981: Redeeming the Earth
1982: Earthkeeping
1984: Theology of Creation
1985: Missionary Earthkeeping
1986: Environmental Economics
1987: A Christian Land Ethic
1989: Contributions of the New Testament to Environmental Stewardship
1990: Living Your Life as Vocation
1992: Evangelicals and the Environment (with the World Evangelical Fellowship)
1996: Widening the Stewardship Vision
1998: Love and Care of Creation in Mexico (with the Inter-Religious Council of Mexico)