Let's pray this works: Religious leaders join to urge action on a clean energy bill

Prominent religious, military and Congressional leaders are joining together to advocate that the U.S. take legislative action on climate change. A poll released by Faith in Public Life reveals that a majority of Americans, including Catholics and white evangelicals, see the connection between addressing climate change, poverty, and national security. Congress is currently debating an energy bill that would combat the causes of climate change and protect those most vulnerable to its effects. The American Values Network is airing this powerful radio ad. You can listen to it by clicking the pink arrow here. In the ad, Rev. Joel Hunter of the Northland Church in Florida delivers this message:

As our seas rise, crops wither, and rivers run dry, God's creation cries out for relief. The failure to answer the calling to be good stewards has consequences. The destabilizing effect of climate change will hit the poor the hardest, and it also threatens our national security, our economic prosperity, and our children's future. Yet no matter how bleak things appear, redemption is always possible. So people of faith are speaking out… a great assembly of Christian pastors and churches and America's military leaders are demanding that Congress passes a climate bill that creates jobs, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and especially protects vulnerable families and communities at home and abroad who are most hurt by climate change. The time for action is now.

The ad is running in eight states: Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Virginia and Ohio. But you can help by sending the ad to any people you know who are religious but are not yet motivated to act to limit the pollution that causes rapid climate change. We are hoping that members of Congress from key states like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and other states that have in the past been home to coal and oil industries will be moved by hearing from their ministers that moving to a clean energy future is a moral issue.

Other religious groups are getting serious about helping fight rapid climate change also. Here is newspaper coverage of self-described conservative Christians, who are having, in their words, a green awakening in Macon, Georgia.