Lately, my wife and I have been wearing masks when we go outside, as smoke from the forest fires in Canada have reached the area in which we live. We understand that climate change is making these events more likely with drier conditions, increased wind and lightening strikes.
Many scientist are calling the time in which we live the anthropocene period. We, humans, are the creature that is having the dominant effect on the earth, bringing great change to the environment and to the earth’s climate. For years, we have pumped carbon into the atmosphere, trapping heat and warming our planet with the subsequent change of our weather patterns.
This change effects not only ourselves but all creatures on this planet. We are making our planet-home increasingly inhospitable to life. This situation is an issue for all creatures, but responsibility resides with humans to take the actions necessary to stop the destruction.
These actions will involve nations working together to bring about an end to the huge amount of carbon gases we are releasing into the air. The United States is the second worst emitter of CO2, China leading the way. As a step in the right direction, the United States joined with other nations in signing the “Paris Agreement,” from which President Trump, with his “drill baby drill” speech and attitude, has ordered our withdrawal in both of his terms, and has pushed against wind and solar energy in favor of oil, gas, and coal.
And yet our responsibility remains. The first chapter of Genesis, drawing from human experience, recognizes this responsibility. We read there that we “have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” It is clearer than ever, in this anthropocene period of our planet, that we have “dominion.” With this power, we can be good stewards or bad. We can decide for life or death. We have a responsibility, whether we exercise it or shirk it.
Clearly, we have many leaders who refuse their responsibility. Nevertheless, we all remain responsible whether we choose to be or not. We are responsible for the leaders we choose. We are responsible for how we contribute to global warming. Each of us is responsible for gaining knowledge of the effects of our personal behavior on our environment and taking actions for reform.
Jesus called his followers to be witnesses whose witness can take many forms. We must join with others in witnessing to God’s care for life on this planet. We must exercise our calling to be good stewards of the earth and encourage others to respond to the needs of all creatures who share our planet-home. We must acknowledge that our life-styles must change. We cannot continue to operate the way we have. People of faith know about the necessity of repentance, of turning around, changing our minds, changing direction. That is what this moment calls for—for the sake, not only of ourselves, but of all creatures that share our home.