There’s a misconception among many that the climate change movement is made up exclusively of environmentalist. Nothing could be further from the truth: In fact, our movement draws from a wide variety of communities and social movements, including the religious community. Throughout our history, communities of faith have always been at the forefront of sweeping social change. Why should climate change be any different?

It isn’t, and here’s a great example: Earlier this month, a broad coalition of religious organizations--including the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ--called on the U.S. Senate to take bold and immediate action on climate change. Their letter draws on the kind of prophetic language that makes communities of faith such powerful allies in the effort to solve the climate challenge.

Here’s the full text of the letter:

May 13, 2008

Dear Senator,

Spring is a time to celebrate beauty and rebirth of all Creation. At this time, we urge you to act wisely and courageously on behalf of God’s imperiled Creation. The climate is changing at a dangerous pace. Many around the world today are already suffering the harmful effects of these changes. Earth scientists have unequivocally warned of the gravity of the present climatic changes and the probable catastrophic consequences of further inaction by the world’s governments.

We, the undersigned, represent many faith traditions, but we are united across theological lines by our deep concern for all of humanity and all of God’s Creation. Our prayerful hope is that you will help lead this Congress to act boldly. We implore you to take swift, strong, just, and compassionate action, to arrest the mounting threat to God’s Creation and preserve the Earth's life-sustaining capacities for generations to come.

Senators Lieberman, Warner, and Boxer are to be commended for undertaking the politically difficult, but urgently necessary, task of drafting bipartisan legislation to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.   We recognize the tremendous complexity of both the climate challenge and the political challenge, and we respect their sincere efforts.   As you evaluate “America’s Climate Security Act”, we urge you to assure that it will:

• Effectively reduce U.S. emissions at the pace and scale that scientists warn is needed to avoid more dangerous climate change and in just proportion to the U.S. contribution to the problem historically;
• Provide generous adaptation assistance to help those around the world who, through no fault of their own, are suffering the effects of climate change today;
• Provide generous assistance to help developing countries reduce their emissions while at the same time advancing human development;
• Provide generous domestic assistance to help poor, vulnerable, and displaced households and communities at home adapt to the carbon-neutral economy of the future;
• Invest significant resources to protect and restore the Earth’s natural ecosystems, which are so necessary for sustaining all life.

Humankind has never faced such a far-reaching threat. There is no time left for half measures. At a critical juncture for the Israelites, Moses put before them the consequences of their actions: “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity… Choose life that you and your descendants might live.” (Deut 11:15 & 19) We ask no less of you: choose life.

Sincerely,

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Columban Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Justice, Peace/Integrity of Creation Office
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
Presbyterian Church (USA) Washington Office
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society

If you want to find out more about this coalition, contact Tyler Edgar at the National Council of Churches: tedgar@nccecojustice.org.

By the way, I’m Luis Hestres, the new Online Communications Coordinator at 1Sky. Glad to be on board!