Transforming cultural clashes to justice-science symbioses

Background/Question/Methods

Frederick Buechner wrote that vocation (role in life) is where our greatest joy meets the world's greatest need.  Despite our efforts to be scientists in the abstract, ecologists are more than lab or field scientists.  We are, after all, members of the human community and often engage in both science and religion.  The coexistence of both in a single individual can not only foster good science, but the practice of using science for good.  Because ecologists are often called upon to provide our scientific expertise in the civic sphere, this combination of passionate participation and dispassionate engagement can serve us well in effective communication and bridge-building.  Over 83% of US people identify with a faith tradition, and the engagement of religious groups with environmental concerns has grown over the past two decades from local congregations to international religious organizations.   Because surveys of such environmentally concerned individuals reveal that they trust information from scientists more than other sources on ‘controversial’ issues such as climate change, ecologists are well positioned to reach across to faith-based organizations to build even larger communities, to enable more effective outreach, to foster increased service to society and to improve informative decision-making.

Results/Conclusions

Convinced that specialized generalists - those who understand the language and process of two fields - can be important bridge-builders for society’s betterment, I completed BS (ecology) and MS (biology); MA in religious studies and PhD in physiological plant ecology/climate change.  Currently, I am working in my dream job and unique niche of science/faith work with the ecological restoration and educational outreach at the Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) and the University of Dayton.  I am also a vowed religious Catholic sister, and committed to justice work with the benefit of community support received from my Marianist family.  I've participated in developing innovative academic science-justice courses in environmental justice (EJ) and ecology-religion and cross-cutting initiatives (e.g. Sustainability, Energy, Environment Initiative at UD) and ESA’s EJ section and speaker’s bureau initiative serving faith communities.   Many non-profit organizations bridge faith-environment issues (e.g Interfaith Power and Light, MEEC) and educate with sound science, inform policy and form coalitions with kindred groups (e.g. the Union of Concerned Scientists).  Skills gained from these allies include: collaboration, coalition building and inspiring, effective communication of science.  We are united by experiences of wonder and awe and environmental concern.  Such richly diverse symbioses can equip us as earth stewards for our planet’s future.