Climate Week NYC

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2013

Media Relations
Cyndi McMahon, [email protected]
978.867.4236
@Gordon_CMcMahon

Dorothy Boorse, Gordon College professor of biology, was invited to speak at Climate Week 2013—one of the world's most influential forums for leaders of environmental protection and advocacy, the promotion of sustainable business practices, and educational outreach in the sciences.

Boorse, who is the author of the book Loving the Least of These and co-author of the bestselling textbook Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future, was the only educator invited to speak at the internationally televised kick-off event. Boorse—together with fellow speakers including World Bank president Jim Yong Kim, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern, and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair—offered words of inspiration for the keynote event. The opening speeches were followed by 50 high-profile events organized in and around New York City by diverse teams and players within business, government, art, science, and civil society. Imagery and video highlights of the opening ceremony and first week of events became available this week.

The only speaker to discuss Christian faith as a central theme of her address, Boorse—renowed for her hallmark approach to creation care—shared about the inspiring work of students and faculty at Gordon and the hope it gives her for the future. She also shared brief details of her research and writing for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), and spoke of how improving environmental standards—through awareness and education—can help provide a needed bridge for addressing poverty.

In addition to teaching in lecture halls and labs, and taking water samples for her research around the many resource areas on Gordon's campus, Boorse served as the lead analyzer for one of the EPA's largest studies. She and her peers reviewed scientific data, reports from development workers, and reflections of theologians to create Loving the Least of These. The research and final publication was reviewed by two dozen biblical scholars, professors and evangelical leaders and today serves as one of the most serious conversations among evangelicals printed on this important topic—regardless of their views on climate change.

“Three basic principles in the Bible should underlie our concern about climate change: care for the poor, pursuit of justice, and stewardship of creation,” said Boorse when asked about her leadership role in the sciences. “Care for the poor—who are disproportionately affected by any disaster, droughts, floods, and sea level rise—is part of loving our neighbor and one of the great commandments. Justice is owed to people alive today, and to future generations. And as stewards of the created world, we should be concerned about the loss of other species, which is happening at a pace that is not at all natural.”

To view video and photography from Climate Week, visit the media page for The Climate Group. For information about Boorse and her research on Creation Care, contact the Gordon College Office of College Communications, 978.867.4236.

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Gordon College is one of the nation's premier Christian colleges and located just north of Boston. We offer students extraordinary access to leading-edge opportunities for intellectual, professional, and leadership development to address the increasingly complex challenges of a global society. Gordon stands apart from other outstanding institutions in New England by combining an exceptional education with an informed Christian faith.

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