Climate Justice, Climate Hope: Building a Moral Economy
Michael Malcom and abby mohaupt
Fortress Press, 132 pages
Published October 14, 2025
Pastors and activists Michael Malcom and abby mohaupt approach the impacts of climate change from a unique angle — that of the moral economy, in which people live out the biblical call to care for one another. They draw heavily on the story of Ruth and Boaz, explaining practices (like gleaning) that prevent exploitation, and lifting up Boaz’ incorporation of Ruth and Naomi into his familial community as a model for covenantal living today.
They quickly make the biblical imperative real, using accessible phrases like “Change the Rules” and “Resist the Wrong” to describe the levers available to create a moral economy. mohaupt, a PC(USA) pastor, has been active in the denomination’s effort to align our money and our values, as we divest our investments from fossil fuels. Her thoughtful discussion in the chapter “Move the Money” is essential reading for anyone eager to continue the conversation at the 2026 General Assembly about full divestment from fossil fuel companies.
For such a challenging topic, Climate Justice, Climate Hope reads like a curious conversation, filled with humorous asides. It covers familiar territory (environmental racism, divestment) in fresh ways, differentiating between fossil-fueled capitalism (predatory) and faithful capitalism (businesses where people/planet/profit coexist).
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