Faith Can Transform the Climate Movement

As long as I can remember, I have felt the Holy’s presence through nature. As a child, I spent a lot of time in the mountains. While I would not have been able to describe it in words then, the trees, birds, creek, wind, sun, and all that I experienced through my senses taught me about the sacred. As an adult, I came to understand that humans have been called since the beginning, through our holy scriptures and traditions, to actively love and care for the earth, and all who live on it. We cannot care for our family, neighbors, children, elderly, and marginalized people without also working for climate justice solutions. Our health and well-being are dependent on a healthy and stable climate.

Starting this year, we have seven years to meet the goals set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for a 50% reduction in carbon emissions. But there is no more perfect and sacred number than seven. We were made to lead in a time such as this! And congregations across the U.S. are leading on climate justice in inspiring and amazing ways, we simply need to grow the number, and quickly.

The first, and perhaps most important thing we can do is to talk about climate. Recent ecoAmerica research finds that while 67% of Americans feel comfortable talking about climate to family, only a little more than 25% feel comfortable talking to co-workers and neighbors. To become more confident in talking about climate, check out BT Climate Ambassador Trainings and Five Steps to Effective Climate Communication.

Recently, I was honored and blessed to hear Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus speak about Climate Justice. This talk has been made into a short Let’s Talk Climate. I am always both inspired and challenged by Rev. Yearwood. Please join us!

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