The Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology began with 10 conferences on World Religions and Ecology at Harvard (1996-1998), which resulted in 10 volumes. The conference and book series were organized by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim.
The conference on Christianity and Ecology was held in 1997 and the edited volume of papers was published in 2000. This was the first major conference and book on this topic. Tucker and Grim founded the Yale Forum and organized numerous conferences at the Divinity School. They hosted some of the leading ecotheologians, such as Rosemary Ruether, Sallie McFague, Catherine Keller, and Larry Rasmussen. This also included YDS graduates such as Barbara Rossing and Jim Antal.
Academic Field and Moral Force
From these conferences and the further work of many scholars, a new academic field of study arose. There are currently more than 30 graduate programs in religion and ecology across North America. There has also arisen a moral force of religious and ethical engagement in ecological issues that didn’t exist before.
The Forum at Yale from 2006
The Forum was invited to support the joint program in religion and ecology between the Divinity School and School of the Environment. Tucker and Grim taught courses in this field for 18 years until they retired from teaching. They also initiated a project of interviews with Yale alums, largely from YDS, who have done notable work in Christianity and ecology.
Resources in Religion and Ecology
Their work in this area has involved creating many resources that are available to current students. These include:
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Website
This is the largest website of its kind which includes extensive resources in Christianity and ecology (statements, engaged projects, bibliographies) as well as the other world religions. There are sections on Ecojustice as well as the Climate Emergency and Ecoanxiety. A monthly newsletter provides information on conferences, lectures, courses, publications, and jobs.
Six Yale/Coursera Online Courses in Religion and Ecology
Includes: Introduction to Religion and Ecology, Western Religions and Ecology, Christianity and Ecology, South Asian Religions and Ecology, East Asian Religions and Ecology, Indigenous Traditions and Ecology.
Books in Religion and Ecology
Routledge Handbook in Religion and Ecology - Edited by Willis Jenkins, ME Tucker, J Grim.
Ecology and Religion - Written by ME Tucker and J Grim.
Worldviews and Ecology - Edited by ME Tucker and J Grim
Including Books in Ecology and Justice Series from Orbis Books
Journey of the Universe Project
This includes an Emmy award winning film, book from Yale Press, 20 conversations and 3 Yale/Coursera online courses. A monthly newsletter highlights webinars, lectures, and publications in this area. A major conference was held at YDS in 2014 titled “Living Cosmology: Christian Responses to the Journey of the Universe.” A book of the conference papers was published with this title in 2016.
Thomas Berry and the Great Work
One of the inspirations for the Journey of the Universe and the World Religions and Ecology work was Thomas Berry, who was a cultural historian and “geologian.” He wrote several notable books, including Dream of the Earth, The Great Work, The Sacred Universe, Evening Thoughts, and The Christian Future and the Fate of the Earth.
Living Earth Community Website
This involves resources on the Intelligences in Nature, Ecological Worldviews, Earth Law. It will be launched in the fall of 2025
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Mary Evelyn and John continue to lecture, write, and travel to conferences.
They are available to meet with students by appointment.