Climate Manifesto: The Christian Church’s Responsibility on a Planet Broken by Humans
By: Bryant Cross
For: Studies in Culture and Climate, Western Michigan University (Dr. Allen Webb)
I. INTRODUCTION
The physical makeup of earth is experiencing destruction. Some may prefer to use other words like “deterioration,” “entropy,” or perhaps “global warming.” Regardless of the terminology, earth is facing a planet-wide threat, and many people are refusing to acknowledge this. What many fail to realize is that the planet we live on is not infinite: the land is limited, the resources are limited, and—in one way or another—it is likely that the current situation of human life on earth is prone to change drastically in the future. The individuals who fail to recognize this truth—or who perhaps simply refuse to acknowledge the imminence of this truth—adhere to the concept of “extractivism.” Naomi Klein describes the term “extractivism” as “a nonreciprocal, dominance-based relationship with the earth, one purely of taking” (169). Those who refuse to acknowledge the limitations of our planet are, for obvious reasons, more likely to ignore the current practices of major institutions who take from the earth without consideration of the effects of their actions.
By 2012, the average global temperature of earth had risen by 0.8 degrees Celsius, resulting in the loss of around one-third of Arctic sea ice, an increase in the acidity of earth’s oceans by 30%, and invitation to extreme flooding through a global increase in water vapor above the oceans (McKibben). These concerns regarding Arctic ice, oceans, and water vapor impact the world hand-in-hand. As ice melts it becomes darker, causing the melting process to continually increase at a dramatic pace. Melting ice, combined with increases in water vapor causes rising sea levels that have the potential to wipe out prominent coastal cities around the world within the next century.
The changes the earth is experiencing are occurring quickly, and some have noticed. Many scientists have become climate activists by necessity. The Paris Agreement—a global-scale effort to keep the temperature of earth from increasing near two degrees Celsius—has reached a total of 181 nations (UNFCCC, “Paris Agreement - Status of Ratification”). Goals have been set to reach peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. However, it is likely that 100% involvement is necessary to truly change the effects of greenhouse gases on the state of our planet. The majority of predictions expect that an increase in two degrees Celsius (around 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) would be disastrous to earth, and—at current rates—has the potential to occur within the 21st century (McKibben). Perhaps these predictions are exaggerated. But perhaps they aren’t. Regardless of individual interpretations of rates, expectations, and pleas for change; it is clear that our earth is changing, and that this change is not for the best. Something must be done, and everyone must be involved.
II. INTENTIONS
With this manifesto, I intend to highlight a number concerns regarding Christian Church—particularly in the United States—and the responsibility of Christians as stewards of the earth. There are a number of reasons that the majority of the Christian Church population, especially those living in the U.S., either deny, question, or undersell the realities of our changing earth. The term climate change or “global warming” has largely become taboo among Christ-followers. It is an avoided subject because it is a difficult subject. Miami-based Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. once said that the areas we avoid, the devil invades. I am to bring the issue of climate change to the forefront of the Christian Church’s consideration. With this manifesto, I hope to dissect the reasons such a large population of Christians ignore the reality, problem, and pertinence of the shifts in earth’s climate. I also hope to provide Biblical explanations in defense of the stance that climate change should be significant to all people, but specifically to Christ-followers. Finally, I hope to offer individual changes readers might make to improve the quality of our planet, along with opportunities to become involved in large-scale support to combat climate change across the global.
III. STANCE
In my personal experience, I have listened to a variety of defenses regarding the inactivity of the Christian Church in the battle against climate change. Sadly, I have found that many of the claims made by Christians denying the reality of climate change lack any defense at all. Many site their belief in a young earth as their reasoning for not supporting climate change. I find this argument to be extremely lacking, as I too hold the belief of a young earth, yet still am able to note the recent shifts in the state of our planet and clearly attribute them to the increase of a changing global climate. Even then, there are many Christians who believe in a metaphoric seven-day creation and maintain support of both an old earth and the truth of the Bible. I believe the issue with this defense of a lack of support in the fight against climate change is that it does not represent an understanding of the current state of the earth. “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” explains how much of the current increase in greenhouse gases and global temperature originated during the Industrial Revolution (Klein). If the earth was formed only 6,000 years ago, as most young earth believing Christians adhere to (and as I believe), then associating the planet’s current state with the impact of climate change remains a viable stance to take. Hence, I believe this argument regarding the age of the earth does not hold much weight on the topic of climate change.
Another reason I believe many members of the Christian Church avoid the topic of the earth’s climate comes from a solely political frame of reference. I am extremely disappointed in the number of believers who allow a political party to dominate their way of thinking. I personally do not stand on either side of the political spectrum, as both the Republican Party and Democratic Party adhere to some morals I agree with and many stances I do not agree with whatsoever. I know a number of Christians who are passionate about the natural earth, “creation,” yet fully deny climate change because they are devoted to the Republican party. In my opinion, there is a massive population of people like this who might simply need to be individually informed about the issues our planet is facing. Even with the climate-education of such people, I do not believe there needs to be a dramatic shift to the opposite (Democratic) party. It is likely to remain true that a higher number of Christian morals, such as the right to life, will be defended by the Republican Party. Even so, well-educated, balanced Americans and voters will at least understand the significance of climate change and its effects, and will be able to make more educated votes than individuals who are blindly clinging to one political party.
The final common barrier between Christians and the fight against our planet’s changing climate is a more biblical stance on the subject. I have found that many Christ-followers do not deny the existence of climate change, rather they prioritize it behind a number of other world-wide and national issues. The mindset of this particular group involves the importance of prioritizing human beings over the natural planet earth. As Christians, we believe that God has created mankind with a significance in that we are the focal point of God’s creation and have the potential to accept an intimate relationship with our Creator. I believe this; but I also believe that climate change is a human issue; and that, even if it was not, Christians should still be responsible for the rightful stewardship of the natural earth given to us to live on. These particular individuals, however, do not appear to view climate change as being the primary attack on human beings (although it should more accurately be called the attack of human beings on earth). Their focus, instead, is on state/national poverty, war, and refugees. The fact is, all of these are sub-issues acting as results of the overarching problem of climate change. In “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” Klein provides the island of Nauru as an example of a people group experiencing many the sub-issues of climate change. “The Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence” explains how the impacts of the earth’s changing climate are causing war and violence across the globe (Parenti). The war is a result of famine and poverty, which are results of the changing global weather patterns, which are the result of climate change. I believe that climate change is a people issue, and when Christians are able to acknowledge this, they will make the topic a priority.
Despite a high population of the Christian Church not prioritizing or believing in the impact of global climate change, there are many Christ-followers, such as myself, who do understand the significance of the issue and are working to enlighten others of its severity. Of this population, one individual stands out as having the potential to influence the Christian population greatly. That individual is the current Pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. In “Enciclica Laudato Si’, Pope Francis acknowledges the deep theological roots of the connection between Christianity and human relationship with the earth. Many Protestant believers are likely to have overlooked or ignored this writing from the Pope, an account of the differences between the Catholic and Protestant Churches. However, I believe that the arguments central to this particular writing—regarding Christians’ responsibilities as stewards of the earth—are pertinent to and align with Protestant Christianity. I find Pope Francis’s utilization of the Scriptures to be straightforward and convicting in regards to my own Christian walk.
In particular, one passage dissecting a passage in Genesis 2 stood out to me. Here, Pope Francis notes the account where human beings are told to “‘till and keep’ the garden of the world” (49). Pope Francis writes the following:
“‘Tilling’ refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while ‘keeping’ means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature. Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations” (49).
I believe that, from the creation of the human race, God has present human beings with an opportunity to find a reflection of their relationship with Him through a mutual relationship with the earth He has given them. This idea of mutuality, to me, is of the utmost significance when understanding the role of Christians in the caring for of the earth. I believe that we cannot take for granted the truth that both we as human beings and the earth as natural creation are limited. We cannot control, entirely, the planet God has created for us; and the planet cannot control the way we treat it. Like Pope Francis, I believe that Christians must always approach the intake of natural creation with wonder and awe for the Creator. If we allow the continuation of the effects of climate change to ravage this planet, the purpose of natural creation will begin to waste away. For Christ followers, we must recognize what God intentions for natural creation are. Here, I have compiled a short list of Bible passages that relate to the significance of the earth and our relationship with it. This list goes nowhere near providing every mention of our planet in the Word of God, but it does encapsulate what every follower of Christ must understand.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” [Job 12:7-10]
Natural creation—including the very creatures living within it—acts as a teacher of the glory and power and care of our Creator.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” [Psalm 19:1]
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” [Psalm 96:11-12]
Every piece, every facet of natural creation is a testament to the existence of a Creator.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” [Romans 1:20]
Here, the Apostle Paul explains how the qualities of God are visible through His creation. This is seen through human beings—the complexities of the human body and mind. But it is also seen in the natural creation—which holds its own complexities, beauties, and remarkable purposes. Paul goes so far as to explain how the viewing and appreciating of God’s creation acts as a statement of God’s existence to all, so that no person might be excused from acknowledging a Creator.
“The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” [Psalm 33:5]
“The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” [Revelation 11:18]
These verses contain two important truths. First, the earth is a gift from God, and is thereby a picture of His love for us. The earth is filled with His love not only through His reflective love through human beings, but also through the gift of natural creation around us. Second, God loves justice, and because of His just nature, He will one day make all injustices right. This, according to Revelation, includes the destruction of the earth. While many view the imminent destruction of earth noted in the Scriptures as a reason to ignore the deterioration of our planet; I believe that God never intended for human beings to be the catalyst for this destruction. I believe that the new heaven and the new earth should never be used as an excuse for Christians to not adhere to their responsibilities as stewards of the earth.
To me, the Word of God is clear on the topic of climate change, as it is directly affiliated with the overall health of the natural earth God has given us. As a Christian—Catholic or Protestant—I believe it is of the utmost importance to be at the forefront of fighting for a healthier earth. God’s intention for the earth as a healthy, reflector of His glory, power, love, and existence should not be misread due to the utilization of the earth by humans as an unending source meant to satisfy our own needs. I firmly believe that God intends us to be both receptors of the power, glory, and wonder of natural creation; as well as considerate, passionate stewards of the earth we have been given to live upon. But, the Christian Church must set aside individualistic desires to view ourselves as more powerful than we truly are. As Pope Benedict wrote: “The misuse of creation begins when we no longer recognize any higher instance than ourselves, when we see nothing but ourselves.”
IV. VISION
My personal vision for a world where climate change is prioritized and successfully limited is hazy. I do not yet have a complete understanding of what is being done through large-scale efforts to truly combat climate change. More significantly, I do not know how to best to get involved in any organization or program that is working beyond the national scale. Supporting and participating in groups like the Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, League of Conservation Voters, or local groups like the Kalamazoo Climate Change Coalition are simple ways to get education and active in a timely fashion.
Personal lifestyle changes are also extremely influential. Statistics from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2018) show that transportation and electricity usage accounted for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions each in 2016. Making changes like riding a bike more often, carpooling when possible, or saving energy through considerate electricity usage can truly impact the state of our planet on a large scale. One of the most important steps to take in fighting the effects of climate change is to become an educated voter. Understanding which politicians make the environment a priority is crucial in casting educated votes. Regardless of your personal beliefs or biases, get education, and then make your decision based on what you know to be right. More than anything, I strive to maintain a healthy perspective on the topic of climate change. I will do what is in my control to do, educate the people surrounding me according to my beliefs and convictions, and support those who value human life, the health of our planet, and the proper, mutual relationship between the two.
Works Cited
Klein, Naomi. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Climate Change. Simon & Schuster, 2014.
McKibben, Bill. “Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math.” Rolling Stone, 19 Jul. 2012, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-188550/.
Pope Francis. 24 May 2015. Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home. http://w2.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
“Paris Agreement – Status of Ratification.” United Nations Climate Change. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/status-of-ratification
Quest Study Bible. New International Version, Zondervan Books. Grand Rapids, MI, 2003.
“Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2016.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018.