By Anson Laytner and Michael Denton
Seattle P-I
November 17, 2008
As faith leaders we know our state must take action to reduce global warming pollution and build a clean energy economy. We have a spiritual call to protect creation, a moral responsibility to care for the poorest and most vulnerable and a responsibility to keep the Earth intact for future generations.
Meeting the challenge of global warming is our faithful obligation as stewards of the Earth. We must protect the legacy we hand on to our children and grandchildren. Religious leaders from all major faith traditions — including Pope Benedict XVI and the heads of most Protestant denominations, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Islamic Society of North America — have called on world leaders to take action on climate change, for good reason. It is our God-given responsibility to do this.
The problems created by our dependence on oil and by climate change fall hardest on those worst off. People already struggling to pay the bills don’t have resources to fall back on when their heat bill goes up or filling up their gas tanks costs almost as much as a day’s work. And we all saw how the impacts of Hurricane Katrina hit the poor hardest of all, with horrific results.
Especially in light of our country’s current economic troubles, we find great hope in the fact that the steps we take to end our fossil fuel dependence will also create economic opportunity. Continued inaction is no longer an option. When we refuse to act, we ignore the impacts that families across the state are absorbing right now.
So how to people of faith get from words to action? One of the most important steps we can take is to make our voices heard. Let those just elected to office — from all political parties — know that we think solving global warming is a universal challenge, not a political problem. Tell them climate change is more than an environmental issue. It’s a human issue, a moral and a spiritual one. The longer we wait to face this crisis, the more we risk our children’s future.
A smart place to start is with our state legislators. State action is key to reducing global warming pollution. Washington has made a good start — passing legislation on green buildings, clean cars, and, most recently, setting up the framework for capping our pollution. The next steps are big ones, so public support is very important to galvanize our leaders into support for strong solutions.
Many people of faith are already taking steps to help the environment by making changes in their personal lives and working to green their congregations, organizations and workplaces. You can take the next logical step by letting our newly elected officials know that solving climate change is important to you. We need policy that helps propel us into a clean energy future, and that’s where support from elected officials can really make a difference.
The election results are in and the next legislative session is being planned. There will never be a better time to start, to be bold on behalf of God’s creation. We ask faithful citizens to call or e-mail representatives from their districts. Write a letter to the editor. If you’re feeling really energized, get some friends together and request a meeting with your legislators to talk about solutions to climate change. They want to hear from you and they care what you think! These actions matter. Our voices count. We must see leadership from our state leaders on this issue, and it begins with us.
Rabbi Anson Laytner is executive director of Seattle chapter of the American Jewish Committee. The Rev. Michael Denton is conference director of Pacific Northwest Conference of United Church of Christ.