“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2

Each year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day and are reminded of the sacredness of creation. As people of faith and conscience, we are called to care for this world that is the Lord’s.

Last year, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius over the next 12 years could have irreversible catastrophic effects on our world. Now more than ever before, we have a moral duty to uphold our call to care for creation.

Our faith calls us to be prophetic voices, responding to injustice with a vision of how our world can be more loving, healthy and equitable.

As we celebrate Earth Day, call on Congress to address the urgency of the climate crisis by passing legislation that follows the following principles:

Truth and science: Solutions that are in line with scientific consensus on global warming and that respond with the needed urgency and thoroughness.
Restoration and renewal: Economic and environmental revitalization that includes job programs, skills training, education, investment in a clean energy economy and just transition for both urban and rural areas.
Compassion and fairness: Just treatment for all including workers and communities most dependent on fossil fuel energy.
Interdependence across boundaries: Sacred dialogue across political, geographic, racial and cultural boundaries.