Saving Work

This chapter profiles six UK-based Christian organisations—three dioceses (Manchester, Oxford, Salford), the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Operation Noah and Christian Climate Action—and explains our social science-engaged theology approach. Analysing participant observation, a survey (n = 319) and in-depth interviews (n = 62), we map influences, beliefs and feelings shaping ‘saving work’. Climate science, scripture, prayer and personal networks motivate Christian environmental action, with respondents reporting feelings of grief, hope, regret and rage. The findings presented in this chapter test claims of Christian anthropocentrism: stewardship, neighbour-love and creation-as-gift are strong drivers, while dominion and power-over creation receive less support.