It makes sense that a growing number of religious organizations are speaking out to curb global warming and protect the environment: after all, people of faith believe in the sanctity of God’s creations … not just humans, but all creatures (and plants) great and small.

In that same spirit, it also makes sense that a publisher of religious materials has now created the first "green" Bible. Thomas Nelson Inc., a Bible and religion publishing company, will release just such a Bible today.

While the need for a more environmentally-friendly Bible might seem obvious, actually creating one was a challenge. Thomas Nelson had to work extensively with its paper manufacturer, Domtar, to develop a new grade of paper that was both green and lightweight enough for Bible paper. The company did at last find a solution, and the result of its efforts — the first Bible printed on recycled and Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper — will be released today, Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Thomas Nelson is also looking for other ways to reduce its ecological footprint, said Mike Hyatt, the company’s CEO. "In addition to offering eco-friendly products, we are striving to implement ‘green’ practices in our daily activities," Hyatt said.

A growing number of book publishers are taking similar steps. The Green Press Initiative, a non-profit group, has so far engaged with more than 140 publishing companies — including Random House, Scholastic and McGraw-Hill — to institute more environmentally responsible practices in the publishing industry. In addition to Thomas Nelson, other religion publishers joining in that effort include Ave Maria Press, Baker Publishing Group and Intervarsity Press.

In a related initiative, more than 220 players in the U.S. book industry have signed onto the Book Industry Treatise on Responsible Paper. Once in effect, the standards outlined in that treatise are expected to save the equivalent of five million-plus trees and cut greenhouse gas emissions equal to those put out by 45,000 cars.

According to the Green Press Initiative, more than 40 percent of the industrial wood harvested around the world each year goes toward making paper — "a sobering fact given that forests store half of all carbon in the biosphere and deforestation accounts for 25 percent of human-caused (carbon dioxide) emissions."

"Given the Bible’s message of stewardship and the growth of the creation care movement, we hope to see other Bible and religion publishers following Thomas Nelson’s lead through steps to use paper with less impacts on forests, people and the climate," said Tyson Miller, director of the Green Press Initiative.

Image: Mike Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson, Inc.