Concerns about the effects of global warming on the people of the world - particularly the poor -- are bringing evangelicals into the forefront of the discussion on living green (also known as being environmentally conscious, sustainable, or watching your carbon footprint).

Leaders from several Christian and Jewish groups gathered together before Congress to testify (in both the legal and religious sense) about the importance of taking action to limit the effects of climate change. As they rightly point out, it is those with lesser financial resources that usually bear the brunt of severe weather such as hurricanes like Katrina.

Having religious leaders putting their faith in the science that tells us that global warming is happening and that human activity is a contributing factor is an odd situation. Who would have imagined that religious leaders would lead the charge in telling government to listen to the science?

Climate change has done the most to bring diverse groups together since Pearl Harbor. Religious groups, the green group of liberal environmentalists, and energy independence enthusiasts who see the political danger of foreign oil dependence are all singing the same battle hymn -- cut fossil fuel use now.

While coming from different perspectives, together these groups provide a unified voice that has the ear of business and political leaders. Even those with doubts about climate change need to recognize that change is in the wind and plan accordingly.