NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) -- Protestant pastors are sending mixed messages about the environment and climate change, according to a new study by LifeWay Research.

In a survey of 1,002 clergy conducted last October, 47 percent agreed and 47 percent disagreed with the statement, "I believe global warming is real and man-made." The remaining 6 percent said they were undecided.

Belief in global warming varied widely by denomination. Three-fourths of pastors in mainline denominations agreed with the statement, while just 32 percent of evangelical pastors subscribe to the theory that humans are a factor in global warming.

A recent Gallup Poll found that a majority of Americans believe global warming is real, but a record-high 41 percent said the seriousness of the threat is exaggerated by the media.

A 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared evidence of global warming "unequivocal" and said with "very high confidence" that at least some of the change is attributable to human activity.

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said in a recent online chat the media contribute to confusion over the truth and cause of global warming by depicting it as a subject of serious scientific debate.

"For most of us who have to actually make policy and spend precious taxpayer money on things that will make a difference, the science is settled," she said.

"I think the challenge for media is to use the science and the facts and for us to challenge them," Edwards said. "I'm hopeful that while the old talking heads are still singing the 'anti-science' tune, most of America doesn’t really believe it."

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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.

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