Stewardship of Creation: Addressing Climate Change and Our Responsibility
Understanding the Lutheran perspective on stewardship of the Earth, this content emphasizes the importance of caring for and protecting God's creation. Reflecting on biblical teachings and the impacts of climate change, it urges individuals to make conscious choices in energy, production, and recycling to safeguard the environment for current and future generations.
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Northern Illinois Synod Social Ministry Committee ADDRESSING ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE
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 FIRST ARTICLE THE FIRST ARTICLE
"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.
S STEWARDSHIP TEWARDSHIP OF OF THE THE E EARTH ARTH 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.
S STEWARDSHIP TEWARDSHIP OF OF THE THE E EARTH ARTH 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 THE REALITY THE REALITY
CLIMATE CHANGE 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.
I IT T S S N NOT OT A A M MYTH YTH 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 (Credit: Vostok ice core data/J.R. Petit et al.; NOAA Mauna Loa CO2 record.)
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 THE CALL THE CALL
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 FUTURE THE FUTURE
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
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
