It’s always difficult to generalize, since there are so many different Christians with varying backgrounds all over the world. Because of past conflicts between scientific theories and key aspects of the Christian faith, however, some find it hard to put much confidence in what scientists are saying.

As Christians ourselves, Andrew Farley and I understand why it’s possible to feel that way. In our book on global warming, A Climate for Change, we acknowledge that science doesn’t have all of the answers, that scientists have sometimes been wrong in the past, and that it’s OK to disagree with scientific theories that don’t have enough evidence to back them up. We even acknowledge that we, the co-authors, disagree in our beliefs on creation and the age of the Earth.

At the same time, we show why global warming is unrelated to the scientific quarrels of the past; it’s principally about thermometers and temperature readings and easily observable phenomena, all of which have occurred over the last 200 years or so. It’s something we should care about even if we believe in a sovereign God who has told us the Earth will not end that way.

I’m a climate scientist with access to the most recent projections for the planet. I can clearly distinguish between what we do know and what we don’t. Andrew is a pastor who understands why so many Christians are hesitant to buy into any scientific consensus without having all the information themselves. As a scientist and a pastor, together we offer a unique perspective on the science of climate change and a Christian response. We hope and believe that other Christians will be open to what we have to say.

Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist at Texas Tech University and the co-author with Andrew Farley of A Climate for Change.