You've probably heard the phrase, 'keep it in the ground', but you've probably never heard it amplified in such a resounding chorus as you will on April 24th, 2016. Just two days after Earth Day (April 22), faith leaders, activists, scholars, and congregations across America will expand the call to keep fossil fuels in the ground where they belong.
Coined by prolific bestselling author and climate activist, Bill McKibbens, the now familiar call has become a singular, shared moral movement that everyone can get behind. In a campaign led by United Church of Christ, faith leaders including Blessed Tomorrow leaders Rev. Stephanie Johnson, Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, and a host of others, will echo this moral call to halt the burning of fossil fuels. Why? Because the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy is still the single biggest contributor to climate change.
Notably, Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas will host events through the month of April, highlighting their responsibility as stewards of God's creation, including Spanish language services designed to foster a more inclusive dialogue in the climate world - one that has been needed for some time.
On April 24th, let your voice be heard by encouraging the energy industry to 'keep in the ground' and for faith facilities to divest their holding until they do. Together, we may better care God's creation, future generations, and our collective human spirit.
Find out how you may get involved here!
ABOUT KEEP IT IN THE GROUND
On Sunday, April 24th, preachers around the country will proclaim from their pulpits a simple message: Keep It in the Ground. No, they are not digging up old, arcane arguments about bodily resurrection. They are talking about fossil fuels. Arguably, the most important act of caring for God’s creation that our society can undertake today is to keep most of the world's fossil fuel reserves in the ground. If humanity fails at this mandate prescribed by the laws of physics, then our planet will enter into the red-alert danger zone as it overheats due to the damage done to our climate.
