How Should Christians Think About Environmental Issues?

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Hello, friends, and welcome to the Foundation Worldview Podcast! Today’s question is short and to the point:

How do I talk to children about environmental issues?

That’s a great question. As we seek to equip our children to carefully evaluate every idea they encounter, it's important to think biblically about environmental issues. So, that’s what we’ll dive into today.

I'm your host, Elizabeth Urbanowicz, and I'm thrilled you've joined me.

What Does the Bible Say About the Environment?

Before we talk with our kids about any issue, we must first ensure we have a biblical understanding of that issue. So, what does Scripture say about environmental issues?

There are three clear biblical principles that should shape our perspective.

1. Humans Are Called to Steward the Earth

Right from the beginning, Genesis 1:28 gives us a clear command:

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God has given humans the responsibility to steward creation. Stewardship includes both consumption and conservation—but not one at the expense of the other.

Some take an extreme consumption approach, believing that everything on earth exists solely for human use, with no regard for the consequences. That is not biblical stewardship.

Others take an extreme conservation approach, acting as if we should consume nothing in order to preserve resources at all costs. That is also not biblical stewardship.

Genesis 1:29 clarifies this balance:

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”

God provided resources for human use, and later, in Genesis 9:1-4, He expands this provision to include animals for food. So, while we are called to steward, we are also given resources to consume responsibly.

2. Humans Must Be Given Priority Over the Rest of Creation

The Bible makes it clear: humans, as God’s image-bearers, hold a special place in creation. Genesis 9:5-6 reinforces this:

And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

This passage shows that God requires accountability for human life, but He does not say the same about animals. This does not mean we should neglect creation—it simply means that when human well-being and environmental concerns are in conflict, humans take priority.

For example, some argue that people should not have children because each child increases the carbon footprint. That is an unbiblical perspective—humans are not the problem; we are God’s image-bearers.

Similarly, some environmental restrictions have harmed people in developing countries. Certain natural resource regulations prevent these nations from accessing resources that could lift their people out of poverty. While conservation is important, it should never come at the expense of human flourishing.

3. This Earth Is Temporary and Will Pass Away

No matter how much we conserve, this earth is not eternal. Revelation 21:1-5 tells us:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.”

God has already determined the earth’s timeline. Nothing we do will extend it beyond His appointed time. This does not mean we abandon conservation efforts—it means we must view them in light of eternity and not place our hope in "saving the planet."

How Do We Teach Our Kids These Truths?

Now that we understand the biblical foundation, how do we teach this to our children?

I recommend taking your kids through the three biblical principles using the passages we just discussed. You can ask them:

• What does this passage reveal about our relationship to creation?
• What responsibility has God given us?
• How should we live this out practically?

Once your kids understand why we steward creation, you can then discuss how to apply it in everyday life.

Practical Ways to Steward the Earth

What we choose to do in our homes is a matter of conscience. Some Christians go too far, saying that conservation is a gospel issue—it is not. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our efforts to care for creation.

That being said, here are some practical ways families can practice wise stewardship:

• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth to conserve water.
• Turn off lights when leaving a room (My parents used to fine us 25 cents for this!).
• Use reusable shopping bags instead of disposable ones.
• Recycle by separating plastics, metals, and cardboard.
• Choose durable, high-quality products instead of cheap, disposable items that end up in landfills.

Again, these are just suggestions, not requirements. The key is to teach our kids biblical principles first, then help them live those out in a way that aligns with their conscience.

Final Thoughts

We want to ensure our kids have a biblical, balanced perspective on environmental issues—one that neither idolizes the earth nor exploits it.

Remember these three principles:

1. We are called to steward the earth.
2. Humans must be prioritized over creation.
3. The earth is temporary and will pass away.

Thank you for joining me today. If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to rate and review the podcast. And if you have a question you would like me to answer in a future episode, you can submit it at foundationworldview.com/podcast.

As always, my prayer is that, no matter the situation you and the children in your care face, you would trust that God is using all things to conform you more into the image of His Son.

See you next time.