Season of Creation II
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the second week of the Season of Creation we are invited to learn. I imagine all of us are aware of climate change and already know that it is a problem, so you might be wondering why devote a whole season to it in the Church. But do you know why it is a problem? How will that problem manifest in our world? What can we do about it? Or why, as Christians, we have a special responsibility to do something about it?
The relentless burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has resulted in the world’s climate becoming disrupted and unstable. The web of life is unraveling before our eyes. Human society is at risk of collapse within decades along with mass extinctions of species and forced migrations:
· Over the last fifty years, 60% of the planet’s mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish have been wiped out by human land development and habitat destruction.
· More than 1 million species are on the way to extinction.
· Oceans are acidifying and warming, and living fish are being displaced with dead plastic. Sea levels are rising, coral reefs dying, and ecosystems collapsing.
· Record-breaking and intensifying weather patterns are increasing deadly droughts, floods, storms, and heat.
· Food supply disruption due to weather events, water shortages, and unpredictable seasons will increase, leading to mass starvation events.
The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns we have only a short amount of time to limit the worst of the effects of the crisis by:
· Reversing deforestation. Keeping and rebuilding our forests and wetlands is one third of the solution alone.
· Stop burning fossil fuels entirely by switching to renewable energy sources and dramatically reducing the demand from developed societies, especially the wealthy (top 1% use 30% of energy) and military forces.
· Developing and using better agricultural practices.
· Adapting to a changed world, especially by redirecting resources to the Third World and climate refugees. The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognized climate change as “an all-encompassing social crisis and moral emergency that impacts and interconnects every aspect of pastoral concern including health, poverty, employment, racism, social justice, and family life and that can only be addressed by a Great Work involving every sector of society, including the Church.”
Twenty-six Bishops from all over the US, including our own, created a celebration guide for Episcopal communities because they believe it is important to mark the Season of Creation. In their words, they believe this because of the urgency of climate and ecological crisis and the need for a bold, prophetic response, and because of our Gospel call to grow in faith as we affirm that God in Christ loves, redeems, and sustains the whole of Creation, not only human beings. To learn more and take action, please visit the Creation Care ministries of the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, and your specific Province and Diocese.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Jane+