Beyond Greening

Climate Justice Requires Christian Advocacy

Climate change is already negatively impacting physical, biological, and human systems around the world. That we allow further greenhouse gas emissions is an injustice – especially since those most vulnerable to climate change are already socially and economically marginalized.

Religious organizations have traditionally engaged climate care by promoting individual or organizational “greening.” These positive creation care impacts are important in the fight against climate change, but they are not enough to achieve climate justice. To see climate justice realized, we need a redistribution of cost and consequence that can only come from international coordination and national action.

The Paris climate negotiations are less than one month away. International and national leaders have spoken on the need for action on climate change. Now individuals of faith have the privilege and responsibility of advocating and praying for climate solutions that are grounded in public justice.

Climate is on the international agenda

The inclusion of climate change as one of the U.N.’s new Sustainable Development Goals in September signalled global acknowledgement that climate change is much more than an environmental issue. Climate change is already impacting the health and sustainability of Earth’s future, necessitating drastic international action at Paris climate negotiations.

Climate is on the church agenda

The release of a Canadian interfaith statement on climate change in September signalled faith leaders’ acknowledgement that climate change is an urgent moral issue with concrete and immediate consequences. “On Promoting Climate Justice and Ending Poverty in Canada: Faith Communities in Canada Speak Out,” calls on the Canadian government to establish more ambitious emissions targets, contribute meaningful material assistance to countries most affected by climate change, and to positively influence negotiations in Paris towards an agreement that will ensure the long-term stability of our climate.

Climate is on the government agenda

The Liberal party campaigned on a platform that promises action on climate change. Our new government promises to partner with provinces and territories to establish a pan-Canadian framework for combating climate change. Trudeau has named a Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Trudeau has also indicated that he and Canada’s premiers will attend Paris climate negotiations, and work together to craft national emissions-reduction targets.

It’s time for climate to be on YOUR agenda

Psalm 24:1 reminds us that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” As followers of Christ who are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, we are invited to seek the flourishing of all of the Lord’s earth. As Christians, therefore, we seek climate justice: urgent emissions reductions, and an equitable distribution of the costs and consequences of both combating and adapting to climate change.

Christianity has often called us to the personal and congregational pursuit of justice despite unjust societal structures. Now we, as citizens of faith, have the opportunity to make sure that climate justice is the cornerstone of any structure for action on climate change as Canadian commitments are discussed at Paris negotiations.

Now is the time for Christians to hear, and then to amplify, the cries of the Earth and the voices of those facing the greatest risks from climate change. We have a responsibility to keep climate on the government agenda, and to push for the creation of meaningful and just Canadian climate policy.

Now is the time for Christians to cultivate climate justice.