What predicts environmental stewardship (climate intentions) and beliefs about climate change in Ghana: religion (faith) or science?

We investigated the predictive role of religious and scientific beliefs on climate attitudes among 286 participants from two communities in southern Ghana. Using structural equation modeling, we examined whether specific religious variables (intrinsic religious orientation, extrinsic religious orientation, and religious conviction) and science variables (interest in gaining science and technology knowledge and belief in science’s benefit to humankind) predicted climate beliefs and intentions (measured as environmental stewardship). Our results indicated that intrinsic religious orientation and religious conviction significantly predicted climate beliefs but not climate intentions. Extrinsic religious orientation did not predict climate beliefs but had an inverse effect on climate intentions. Additionally, interest in science and technology knowledge, as well as the belief that science is beneficial to humankind, was positively related to climate beliefs but not climate intentions. These findings contribute to our understanding of the influence of religious and scientific beliefs on climate attitudes, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches to addressing climate change in Ghana.