Climate Action is a Faithful Response

On January 26, I participated in a conversation with bishops, priests and lay People from across the Episcopal Church listening to reports from our delegates to COP 21 – the climate summit in Glasgow. 

The reports were fascinating and hopeful. But the sense of urgency is acute. The message the church needs to be sharing and standing on is: We’ve got 8 years to prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees celsius. 

That’s good news! 8 years is do-able. It’s manageable. Plus, the movement has already begun. Corporations, governments and communities are finally seeing that it is in their self-interest to pivot and change. Think of how much growth a human experiences in 8 years. We’re talking about billions of people, ready for that kind of change.

Here at St. Paul’s, we are also already on the move. We’re making changes and adjustments to our way of life so that we can do our part to mitigate climate change. Here are some more things we can do together: 

1. stop running our gas stove constantly and possibly, move to electric. Perhaps we need to replace our wasteful gas stove. When it’s on, (pilot lights lit) it emits unnecessary natural gas/methane. To mitigate that, we turn the gas valve off unless we are cooking with it. But research shows that gas stoves release excess methane when being lit. Perhaps we need to purchase electric stoves to replace the one gas stove. Something to consider.
2. Call on your local officials to address climate change in your community. In the city of St. Louis, Federal funds are available to improve transit, and update our waste removal systems to be ecologically and economically viable (read here). Let your alderperson and mayor, your civic leaders know that you care. Local change is much more doable than we think!
3. Join a march. On Friday, March 25, teenagers from all over St. Louis are gathering at St. Louis City Hall to demand a response to climate change. let’s show them support! Let’s show up with St. Paul’s posters and T Shirts and show them that the church cares!

I’ll keep you posted about other opportunities, and please, share yours! 
Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and our strength…though the earth be moved, and waters rage and foam, the Lord is our stronghold.” 

The Holy One is in the midst of us, let’s do all we can to support the life and abundance that God created and human hands have harmed. It’s holy work! 
-- Pastor Rebecca