Transcript climate change - Northern Illinois Synod

Northern Illinois Synod
Social Ministry Committee
OPENING PRAYER

Sovereign of the universe, your first covenant
of mercy was with every living creature. When
your beloved Son came among us, the waters
of the river welcomed him, the heavens
opened to greet his arrival, the animals of the
wilderness drew near as his companions.
With all the world’s people, may we who are
washed into new life through baptism seek the
way of your new creation, the way of justice
and care, mercy and peace; through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship, page 81
Stewardship of Creation
"The Lutheran church teaches us that God
is the owner of all things; we are simply
caretakers. In Psalm 24:1 we read, 'The
Earth is the Lord's and everything in it,
the world and all who live in it.' So let us
care for all creation as if it belonged to
God, because it does."
REV. GARY M. WOLLERSHEIM, BISHOP, ELCA
NORTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD.
STEWARDSHIP OF THE EARTH
As human’s we have been given so much, our
bodies, the air we breathe, the land we walk
and work, the waters we drink, wash with,
fish, and in which we play. But we did not
create these, they were made… by God. And
we are given a chance with our bodies- the
work we can do, our resources and what they
can purchase, to either protect and care for
the creation God has made (not just for us but
for all creatures) or to destroy it.
…
STEWARDSHIP OF THE EARTH
Every choice we make concerning energy,
production, and recycling, is either to care for
and protect the earth that God made or
diminish it, and that includes how we choose
to address climate change and its effects on
this world and its inhabitants, big and small,
and those yet to come.
Overwhelming Evidence and Serious Implications
CLIMATE CHANGE

n, refers to any significant change in the
measures of climate lasting for an
extended period of time. In other words,
climate change includes major changes
in temperature, precipitation, or wind
patterns, among other effects, that occur
over several decades or longer.
IT’S NOT A MYTH
The evidence for climate change comes
from many sources studying several
aspects of the change.
 The UN, US Navy, EPA,
NOAA, NASA, IPCC, Monsanto, and many
independent universities…
 …together have studied changes in ocean
level, temperature, and acidification; air
temperature, CO2 concentrations;
shrinking ice sheets and glaciers,
and more.

INCREASE OF ATMOSPHERIC CO2
AGRICULTURAL IMPACT -- LOCAL
The number of record high temperature events
in the United States has been increasing, while
the number of record low temperature events
has been decreasing, since 1950. The U.S. has
also witnessed increasing numbers of intense
rainfall events.
 Monsanto, one of the largest corporations in
agribusiness, agrees that “Climate change is
one of the biggest issues we face in agriculture,
as well as one of the biggest issues facing
humanity.”

AGRICULTURAL IMPACT -- GLOBAL
Across the globe, rice farming has been
dramatically affected in eastern Asia.
 “A recent report published by the National
Academy of Sciences found that rising
temperatures over the last 25 years have cut
global rice yields by as much as 10 to 20
percent in some parts of Asia.”


The reality we are looking at is a changing
world. Technology and industry have
advanced tremendously in the last century,
and at some point we have to face the fact
that as stewards of creation we not only have
a stake in what happens in the world
immediately around us, but we have a duty to
God to take care of the precious creation with
which we have been gifted, here and abroad.

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the
Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
(Gen 2:15 NIV)
What We Can Do Now
TWO DAYS, WEEKS, AND YEARS
Each of us can do our part, big or small,
to reduce our impact on climate change.
 Develop a plan at home, work, and
church to effect real change now, soon,
and in the future.
 The following is just a simple example –
a place you might get started!

TWO DAYS

Home
 Replace incandescent and even CFL light bulbs
with LEDs.
 Turn off the sink while you brush your teeth.

Church
 Add a recycling bin.
 Add a reusable/washable mug option for coffee
hour.

Work
 Walk, bike, or carpool – and encourage others
to do the same!
TWO MONTHS

Home
 Purchase and install a programmable thermostat.
 Adjust water heater, refrigerator, and thermostat to
find comfortable levels which use less energy.

Church
 Hold a Bible study, workshop, or special worship
service highlighting our call as Christians to steward
the Earth.
 Reserve a portion of the lawn for gardening or wild
grasses.

Work
 Advocate for greening your workspace.
TWO YEARS
Complete goals from an energy audit.
 Increase insulation, airflow, seal
windows, and more – make heating and
cooling more efficient in the building.
 Replace appliances with high efficiency
versions – water heater, washer,
furnace, etc.

Telling the Story
THE PARADIGM SHIFT
To negate the impact of climate change,
serious changes are needed at a
societal level.
 New structures will need to be built as
energy efficient as possible.
 New energy sources will need to be
explored.
 A new way of thinking about ourselves
and our world will be necessary.

WHAT CAN WE DO?







Set an example.
Write a letter.
Pray about it – for our world, our leaders,
and each of us.
Think about it!
How could we be better stewards of our
corner of God’s creation?
Talk about it! Tell your story!
Here’s an example of one person’s story…
O
ONE FINAL QUESTION

As Christians who confess the first
article of the creed, that God created
this world and created it good, we must
ask: Were we created to care for the
world, living in harmony, or were we
created to exploit the world for our own
benefit?
CLOSING PRAYER

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, who in
your self-emptying love gathered up and
reconciled all creation to the Father.
Innumerable galaxies of the heavens
worship you. Creatures that grace the
earth rejoice in you. All those in the
deepest seas bow to you in adoration. As
with them we give you praise, grant that we
may cherish the earth, our home, and lie in
harmony with this good creation, for you
live and reign with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship, page 81