Science is a human endeavor to understand the world.  What sets science apart from other ways of understanding is the critical assumption that the world can be understood by using natural evidence.  Scientists can not use the supernatural, magic, or gremlins in their explanations.  Without this assumption, advances in technology, medicine, and other sciences would be severely hampered.

Scientists have determined that the average temperature of the Earth has increased over the past 100 years.  The rate of this increase is not consistent with normal Earth cycles.  If science allowed supernatural explanations, we could simply state that Mr. Heat Miser was finally beating his brother, Mr. Snow Miser.

Thankfully, most people are not satisfied with that explanation.  Over the past couple of decades, scientists have determined that human (we are part of the natural world) production of carbon dioxide (primarily through the increased use of fossil fuels as a result of industrialization) has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which has increased the greenhouse effect.

or, a less colorful explanation…

Religion is another way of understanding the world.  The core of religion is faith – the belief in a supernatural being (God) without evidence.  Because of these different assumption, science and religion can come into conflict – primarily, when science conflicts with a specific religious belief (evolution vs. creation).

I assumed that there would not be too much conflict between religion and science when it came to climate change.  Heck, Christians believe that humans are stewards of God’s creation. I guess I was wrong.

Rep Shimkus (R-IL) [of plant food fame] concludes that we shouldn’t worry about climate change because the Bible states, “The earth will end only when God declares its time to be over.”  Shimkus says that we shouldn’t worry about the negative human impact on the Earth because the bible states, “Man will not destroy this earth.”  And those Climate Change Alarmists’ cries that global warming will result in a rising sea-level?  Don’t worry,  God states, “This earth will not be destroyed by a flood.”  So hey, pollute away –

But, but, but…the Bible doesn’t mention dinosaurs.  Oh, and floods won’t destroy the Earth…but rising sea levels could pose some big problems for humans.

This reminds me of a story a priest told in a homily I heard many years ago.

A man was at his house during a flood.  As the waters reached his doorstep, a policeman drove up and offered to help him evacuate.  The man said, “No, I have faith and God will save me.”  The policeman left for the next house.

A few hours later, the depth of the water had risen to the top of the first floor.  The man had moved to his bedroom on the second floor.  A rescue boat came by and offered to evacuate him.  The man said, “No, I have faith and God will save me.” The boaters moved on to find others.

Another couple of hours past and the water had risen to the roofline.  The man was desparately clinging to his chimney.  A helicopter came by and the rescuers offeret to take him to safety.  The man said, “No, I have faith and God will save me.”  The rescuers shook their heads and moved on.

The water continued to rise. Eventually, the man drowned. He arrived at the gates of Heaven, where he met St. Peter. The man said, “St. Peter, I am a faithful man, why did God not save me?”

St. Peter replied, “Umm…we sent a car, a boat, and a helicopter.”