Bridging the COSMOS: How the inclusion of and collaboration with Faith-based Understandings and Indigenous Knowledges can transform the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise

Abstract

Climate change is a global existential threat with far-reaching implications for natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies. Adapting to and mitigating climate change requires global cooperation and participation from all mindsets and belief systems, including the traditionally Western Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise (WWCE), faith-based understandings (FBUs), and Indigenous Knowledges (IKs). Epistemological differences and language barriers between knowledges, and the historical marginalization and exploitation of IKs by Western ideologies and some FBUs make co-production and relationship-building challenging. Acknowledging their historical tensions and distinctions, there is meaningful overlap between the WWCE, FBUs, and IKs on environmental stewardship, justice, and mental health. This article highlights three themes at the intersection of FBUs, IKs, and environmentalism: 1) increasing faith-based and Indigenous community resilience to weather extremes, 2) developing K-12 and collegiate weather, water, and climate education that weaves FBUs and IKs, and 3) increasing communication flows between weather, water, and climate science, and faith-based and Indigenous communities. These initiatives aim to foster relationships and trust between the WWCE, faith-based, and Indigenous communities, transform the WWCE into a multi-knowledge enterprise, and promote a climate-resilient society. The American Meteorological Society’s Committee on Spirituality, Multifaith Outreach, and Science (COSMOS) plays a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue and collaboration on these themes while acknowledging distinctions and historical tensions between FBUs, IKs, and the WWCE. Collaborative efforts between the WWCE, faith-based, and Indigenous communities hold immense potential for addressing climate challenges, fostering resilience, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future grounded in mutual respect and understanding.