Apostles of the Environment
God has given us one world. At YDS, we know that it’s our responsibility to keep it safe for generations to come.
Ecotheology in Action
A Moral Imperative
“The environmental crisis is not simply a political issue. It is not simply an ideological issue. It is a moral issue…You are answerable to God for the way you treat [this creation]. In a nutshell, that’s ecotheology.”
—Greg Sterling, YDS Dean
Where Ecotheology Meets Academics
Concentration in Religion and Ecology
The concentration in Religion and Ecology is our interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Religion program. It draws on faculty resources in biblical studies, ethics, liturgical studies, pastoral care, spirituality, theology, world religions, and ecology
Joint Degree in Religion and Ecology
The Yale School of the Environment (YSE) and Yale Divinity School offer a joint master’s degree program in Religion and Ecology.
Students work concurrently on either a Master of Environmental Management or Master of Environmental Science at YSE and either a Master of Divinity or a Master of Arts in Religion at YDS.
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
A major resource for students interested in the growing field of religion and ecology, the Forum is an international multireligious project and an engaged moral force for religious environmentalism. Among its most recent offerings is a series of video interviews with Yale alums (mostly from YDS) working at the intersection of spiritual leadership and environmental action.
Connections Beyond YDS
Our ecotheology efforts at YDS connect to numerous programs across Yale.
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
Religion, Ecology, and Expressive Culture Initiative at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music
Faculty Leaders in Ecotheology
A Matter of Justice
“I think the way we treat other species is a matter of justice. This planet is not ours alone. Our species is one of millions that have evolved on this planet. To treat the rich and diverse lives of other species as if they are just an expendable resource is to live unjustly.”
—Prof. Ryan Darr, Assistant Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Environment
The Living Village
Opened in the fall semester of 2025, the Living Village meets the most aggressive standard for sustainable buildings, serving as a key component of Yale’s Planetary Solutions initiative.
Graduate Conference in Religion and Ecology
This student-led assembly of the best thinking in the ecotheology space, open to all Yale students, reflects a desire to provide a space for students to engage in dynamic, interdisciplinary conversations.