The destructive impact of climate change is evident. Recently, the mid-Atlantic region was struck by severe ice and snowstorms, while Southern California experienced a fiery blaze that consumed thousands of homes and claimed many lives.
These wildfires, which seemed apocalyptic in scale, are a stark reminder that the climate crisis is here. Scientists are warning that the effects of climate change will only intensify, bringing further devastation in the form of extreme weather events and environmental instability.
This will impact our daily travel, food costs, water supplies and the air we breathe. More lives will be lost, and there will be a drastic increase in migration.
Climate change is not a localized weather phenomenon. Increased arctic temperatures melt icebergs, raising sea levels and significantly affecting people near oceans, lakes, and rivers.
This is one of the most significant social justice issues of our time. It affects everyone, but those who experience poverty will have fewer resources to protect themselves, their families and their livelihoods. They will bear a disproportionate burden than the rest of us.
Everything is interconnected. A wildfire in California can affect the air quality in cities thousands of miles away, a hurricane in the Caribbean can disrupt global supply chains, and a drought in one region can drive up food prices in another.
As people of faith, we must extend our concern beyond our immediate surroundings to a broader, global perspective of solidarity. We must work in solidarity across faith traditions, viewing each other as siblings in the fight. This will allow us to live with a greater awareness that our actions affect everyone.
How we understand and view God influences our actions regarding climate change. If we view God as the creator, and that we are part of God’s creation intended to participate in sustaining the Earth, then our outlook and actions will change. We will understand that our responsibility is not to dominate the Earth, but to care for it.
Creation is not merely a backdrop for human activity; it is sacred, and we are entrusted with its care. As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to protect the Earth and its resources—not to exploit them for short-term gain. In our modern world, it is easy to forget that we do not “own” the Earth. We live on borrowed land—land that provides for, sustains and nourishes us.
Failing to respect the land fails to respect the God who created it. If we believe the Earth is a gift from God, then we must treat it as such, preserving it for future generations and ensuring that it continues to provide for all of creation, not just for us.
We will work to modify our lifestyles to live more sustainably and faithfully to God’s calling as faithful caregivers, not destroyers of the Earth. We don’t own the land we live on. We borrow it, and are simply part of this rich web of life and creation.
As humans, plants, animals, birds and fish are all suffering from the wildfires in Southern California, we weep and mourn for all lost life. We must live with conviction to make this Earth a more habitable place and that change begins with us.
The wildfires in Southern California are a tragic reminder that our actions, including deforestation, fossil fuel consumption, and neglect of sustainable practices, affect the entire web of life. Creation is a sacred tapestry, and when one thread is torn, the whole is affected.
We must grieve the destruction and loss, but we must also act. It is not enough to observe the crisis passively; we must actively participate in its resolution.
Our theological reflection must lead to practical action: reducing our carbon footprints, supporting sustainable practices, advocating for policy change, and supporting communities most vulnerable to climate change. It is time to act with conviction, faith, and love for God’s creation.
Climate change is not just a political or environmental issue; it is a moral and theological one that demands our immediate and sustained attention.
May we respond to the call with faith, hope and a commitment to making the world a better place for all who share this Earth.