Climate Change and Resource Wars

Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day. Celebrate the glorious gift of God’s Creation, and our responsibility to care for it by taking action on Earth Day. Contact your members of Congress to call for a national strategy to protect the earth from its most dangerous threat: global climate change.  Our values of justice and stewardship compel us to make addressing climate change a national priority.

Global climate change not only threatens the earth, its eco-systems, weather and populations, but also the fragile socio-political stability that exists among the world’s nations and communities.

For example, climate change plays a role in the crisis in Darfur. Climate change cannot be blamed for all the problems that are taking place in this region. Other factors are at play. However, the conflict has been exacerbated by climate-change-impacts, such as decrease in water availability and poor agricultural conditions. These challenges have led to a more prolonged and deadly conflict over valuable life-sustaining resources.

As a result of human-induced climate change, the Creation and its inhabitants are wounded. Many who are at risk for conflict, especially our neighbors in the developing world, are in greater danger due to the changing climate, which will create less certainty in people’s livelihoods, and may lead to hoarding and resource-grabbing. As stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1), we must urge our leaders to follow scientific recommendations and take the necessary action to protect Creation, for everyone’s sake.

Over the next month, the House of Representatives will begin to consider climate legislation to address the U.S.’ disproportionate contribution to global climate change emissions. Please ask your congressional members to ensure that any legislation:

• Includes strong emissions reductions,
• Protects for those living in poverty in the U.S. who will be impacted by an increase in energy related costs and
• Maintains the strong international provisions included by Congressmen Waxman and Markey in their draft bill.

Each of these components is vital to ensure that we protect God’s Creation as well as the vulnerable among us who are at risk of greater conflict and poverty due to climate-related impacts.

The U.S. Senate has not yet begun considering a bill, but no less need to hear that protecting the Earth is a priority of their constituents and people of faith.

Send a message to your Representative and your Senators!

Encourage the President to support a national climate response and to engage in international climate negotiations in good faith.

Opportunities for engagement on climate change:

Montreat Conference Center, July 7-11, 2009: Embracing God's Call to Be Green (Presbyterians for Restoring Creation biennial conference)

Ghost Ranch Conference Center, July 27-Aug. 2, 2009: Climate of Fear, Climate of Hope

Use prayer and worship resources from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Working Group.