Climate change is unfolding right before our eyes—there is no denying it. Scientists have warned the public for years, and now we are experiencing its effects firsthand. The consequences are dire, as evidenced by the record-breaking heat of summer 2023.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, June, July and August 2023 were the hottest months on record. Rising temperatures contribute to a surge in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke and respiratory issues.
Beyond human health, extreme heat intensifies droughts, raises sea levels and places immense stress on water resources. It fuels deadly wildfires, as seen in Southern California. It disrupts ecosystems, threatens agriculture, accelerates permafrost thawing and increases ground-level ozone pollution.
The urgency to combat climate change has never been greater.
Some of the damage is irreversible, making the fight against climate change not just an environmental issue, but a pressing social justice concern that demands action from individuals, communities and nations alike. Unfortunately, the U.S. has not consistently done its part.
During his first term, President Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 to combat climate change. The agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels, with a more ambitious goal of 1.5°C (2.7°F). Under its original commitment, the U.S. pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025.
I had the opportunity to attend the historic 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris as an observer with the World Council of Churches (WCC). It was inspiring to see religious and faith communities unite to pressure governments to pass meaningful climate policies. That made it all the more disheartening when Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement.
Despite most international commitments, the world is not on track to meet its climate goals. While President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021, Trump once again withdrew the U.S. from it just hours after his second inauguration. He also ended U.S. participation in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and halted contributions to the Green Climate Fund.
When governments fail to act, individuals, communities, and people of faith must take responsibility. Climate change is driven by unchecked consumption and excess, placing immense strain on our planet. We must become more conscious of our ecological footprint, including the often-overlooked concept of “virtual water”—the hidden water consumption and use embedded in food production.
Meat production, in particular, carries a high environmental cost, requiring vast amounts of water, land and energy. By making more sustainable choices in our diets and daily lives, we can help fight against climate change and preserve the planet for future generations.
Rethinking our daily choices is essential to the sustainability of the planet. We must reconsider how we commute, shop and travel, prioritizing sustainable options such as electric vehicles and public transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We must also be mindful of our fashion choices and the constant pressure to buy new clothing to keep up with trends. The fashion industry is a major contributor to global warming, accounting for 8-10% of global carbon emissions, more than the combined emissions of aviation and shipping.
Fast fashion, in particular, fuels excessive consumption, waste and pollution. By choosing sustainable, ethical clothing and rethinking our consumption habits, we can reduce our environmental impact and help combat climate change. Every day, we must find creative ways to shrink our carbon footprint, striving for a greener, more sustainable planet.
As people of faith, we must receive a deeper and more urgent call to care for the Earth. Eco-feminist theologians like Sallie McFague use the metaphor of the Earth as the “Body of God,” emphasizing that harming the planet is akin to harming the Divine.
Recognizing God’s presence in creation should compel us to protect and nurture the Earth, allowing it to flourish as intended. Our understanding of God and the metaphors used to talk about God shape our ethics, politics and actions.
If we embrace a vision of God as loving, present and intertwined with the world, then we will be moved to act with firm determination to save our planet. Let us see God’s presence in creation and take immediate action to save our planet before it is too late.
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