Tea Party adherents claim global warming is a myth. As politicians spread such lies, and during an election year when odds are likely that Republicans will gain ground in Congress, the danger that fewer government programs will be put in place to combat climate change becomes more and more real. As Jews, how can we help to share scientific truths about global warming and continue to do our duty to repair the world?

Your question is so laden with political bias that I cannot answer it directly.  Clearly, we have an obligation to evaluate scientific matters in unbiased ways and then to respond accordingly. 

 Although Adam was given the earth “to fill and conquer” (Gen.1), he was also mandated to “work and protect” the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2).  The biblical prohibition of bal tashchit proscribes any wanton destruction of natural resources.  And good old common sense (sevara also creates biblical mandates) teaches that we ought to take care of our environment…this is the only (physical) world we have.  What are our obligations?  To live sensitively and responsibly.  To educate and motivate others to do the same.  To engage in the political process in order to help shape legislation in the manner we believe is consistent with the best of science and the best of our Torah’s teachings. 

Tea Party adherents claim global warming is a myth. As politicians spread such lies, and during an election year when odds are likely that Republicans will gain ground in Congress, the danger that fewer government programs will be put in place to combat climate change becomes more and more real. As Jews, how can we help to share scientific truths about global warming and continue to do our duty to repair the world?

 In the Book of Genesis, the Torah commands human beings to “tend” the earth.  As well in the Midrash, our sages remind us that if we fail in this mission there will be on one else to carry it on.  Therefore, our tradition is very concerned that we, as Jews and human beings, care for the world that God has given us. 

We do this by educating our children and the rest of our community about this important role that we must play.  We do this through social action programming focused on environmental causes, Mitzvah Days of action when we do our part, and through fund raising to support environmentally conscious organizations.  And we do this as a community through organizations such as COEJL (Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life), who help organize the Jewish community around these issues.  While there are many opinions as to how best to preserve our environment, we can use all of these methods to put our best foot forward as Jews and as individuals.