While the debate over global warming continues, Christians cannot disregard their responsibility on environmental stewardship. In the creation story from Genesis, God entrusts humanity with, "every living thing that moves upon the earth." In short, God has put humans in charge of the environment. Study after study continues to indicate a global increase in temperature. And while a handful of politicians continue to deny the accuracy and credibility of the mounting research, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that when God created the earth there were no smoke-belching factories, or cars, fewer animals and people producing ozone eating methane, chemicals, plastic and solid waste to harm the environment.
Recently the head of a large Protestant denomination wrote a resolution calling on Christians to steward the environment, a commendable move. However, it fell woefully short of accepting responsibility for the harm already done. It continued the illogical pattern of denial regarding humans affect and impact on the environment, noting that a recent, highly accredited scientific study on global warming did not specifically prove that humans are the reason global ocean and air temperatures have increased. I'm not making this up! A simple search of the EPA's website on global warming reveals the following:
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The heat-trapping property of these gases is undisputed although uncertainties exist about exactly how earth’s climate responds to them.
The attitude of denial continues to fuel accusations and polarize members of both major political parties. Accusations and denial always take the focus off personal responsibility and accountability. When one party blames the other, and another denies, both can avoid personal responsibility and accountability on any topic. Instead of debating the research we should be asking what do we need to do to slow down global warming, pollution and care for God's creation? According to God's Word, our care and stewardship of the planet is not optional. We are responsible and we are accountable to God.
For years some noted theologians (Ron Sider, Richard Foster, Wendell Berry, Tony Campolo and others) have been calling on Christians to be leaders in environmental stewardship. We need to take the lead. Easy, I'm not saying we all need to go strap ourselves to a red wood tree in the Pacific Northwest, or cruise the ocean alongside whales. I'm simply saying that of all people, Christians should set the pace on environmental care. We can begin by doing simple things like:
- Recycling (plastic, metal, aluminum, paper, chemicals)
- Cutting back or bumping up the thermostat
- Using newer and more energefficientnt light bulbs
- Carpooling, or using public transportation when possible
- Drive late model cars that employ gas saving and pollution conscious technology
- Conserve water usage
- Purchase and use energefficientnt rated applicances, tools, and electronics
- Condense car errands and trips
- Use non-aerosol products/sprays
- http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/index.html
- http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/features/altscenario/
- http://www.researchmatters.harvard.edu/topic.php?topic_id=98
- http://www.thewe.cc/weplanet/news/water/rising_sea_tempeerature_killing_great_barrier_reef.htm
- http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB2/PB2ch4_ss2.htm
1 comment:
A wonderful litany of information and helpful suggestions we can sink our teeth into and be proud of it!
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