The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. ~ Proverbs 18:15
When Earth was created, God entrusted us as its stewards and calls us to care for it and each other in all our actions. When we make environmentally-wise choices we are celebrating and respecting creation, giving thanks for Earth’s abundant resources, and being good stewards with what we’re given. Understanding why a clean, sustained environment is important for all God’s creatures to flourish (including us) is an important first step to accepting our responsibility to protect creation.
When we learn more of the scientific facts about our changing environment and how the changes impact some people more than others, it can equip us with the information and skills we need to help address those forces that cause harm. Learning more about the environment also empowers us each to take actions that are proven to be effective and that restore balance in creation and bring justice to all people.
Today I can:
– Learn more about the environmental crisis and ecological justice. A good place to start is the “Sources of Information” page in the InterFaith Creation Care website. http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com/
– Research my church’s position on environmental stewardship. [link to the ELCA]
– Read local or national news stories about the environment and our changing climate. If something sparks my interest, I will read other sources on the same story.
In the future I plan to:
– Join (or start) a study group that is talking freely about the changing climate.
– Discuss openly with my friends and family what I have learned.
– Encourage the schools in my community to include climate change and ecological justice in science and social studies classes.
– Read books about environmental crises from perspectives that are different than mine and/or are typically underrepresented (consider the perspectives of women, people of color, indigenous communities, people who work in agriculture, or immigrant communities).
– Use what I have learned to inform actions I can take to be a part of the solution.
Source: Interfaith Creation Care of the South Metro is an organization of volunteers representing 15 faith communities in the South Metro. We collaborate to create content like this and to bring Creation-focused events and resources to all faith communities in the area.
