Got the Urge for Knowing

Scientists and evangelical leaders form new climate alliance

So a minister, a scientist, and a horse walk into a bar. The bartender says, "Why the long face?" The horse just chuckles, but the other two begin a thoughtful discussion about how humans are destroying the planet. Sound far-fetched? Not after yesterday, when a group of 28 scientists and evangelical leaders unveiled a new alliance to battle climate change. The partnership -- which includes NASA's James Hansen, biologist E.O. Wilson, and prominent evangelical leaders Rev. Rich Cizik and Rev. Joel Hunter -- seeks shifts in the values, lifestyle, and policies of the U.S. It has sent an "urgent call to action" to President Bush and other politicians and will prepare a pastor's toolkit, all while putting fundamental disagreements aside. "Whether God created the Earth in a millisecond or whether it evolved over billions of years, the issue we agree on is that it needs to be cared for today," said Cizik. "We will not allow the creation to be ... destroyed by human folly." We'll drink to that.