Few Americans say ‘God gave humans the right to use the Earth’ without also saying ‘God gave humans the duty to protect and care for the Earth’ | Pew Research Center

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February 8, 2025

19. Religion and views on the environment

Few Americans say ‘God gave humans the right to use the Earth’ without also saying ‘God gave humans the duty to protect and care for the Earth’

Few Americans say ‘God gave humans the right to use the Earth’ without also saying ‘God gave humans the duty to protect and care for the Earth’

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Few Americans say ‘God gave humans the right to use the Earth’ without also saying ‘God gave humans the duty to protect and care for the Earth’

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19. Religion and views on the environment
Most Americans believe God gave humans a duty to protect the Earth
54% of U.S. adults say humans have both a God-given duty to protect Earth and a God-given right to use it
Highly religious Americans are less likely than people with low levels of religious engagement to say stricter environmental laws are worth the cost
91% of evangelical Protestants say God gave humans a duty to protect and care for the Earth
Few Americans say ‘God gave humans the right to use the Earth’ without also saying ‘God gave humans the duty to protect and care for the Earth’
Support for stricter environmental regulations is highest among atheists in the U.S.
In the U.S., majorities in all religious groups say the Earth is getting warmer