July 24, 2006

Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature, has a piece in the latest issue of the National Geographic (August 2006) which introduces the lead article on the upcoming hurricane season and a look at how some of those affected last year have fared. McKibben's concern is global warming and the disaster that is looming ahead of us!not in our grandchildren's lifetime, but in ours. In the middle of his article, he asks the religious community to become involved in saving God's creation while there may still be time. Here is a well-known scientist, writing in a serious journal, suggesting that people of faith have the key to solving the major problem of our time.

            He posits that what has brought us to this disaster is that most decisions made since the dawn of the Scientific Revolution have been based on economic principles!e.g., what would earn the most money in the shortest period of time. A paradigm shift must occur so that decisions hereafter are made on what is best for the community at large. The faith community, he feels, is the apt place to start this new trend.

            More and more attention is being given to these issues. The problem is expertly presented in Al Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth," and a book by the same name is available at local bookstores. See a discussion guide at www.eco-justice.org. A commercial film, now available on video, entitled "The Day After Tomorrow" presents in harrowing detail a plausible scenario of what could happen should we allow rampant global warming. A 15-minute dvd from the Union of Concerned Scientists (510-843-1872) and an 82-minute dvd from Stonehaven Productions (212-396-9464) also address these issues.

            What has the religious community to do with all this? Some of us believe that only a change of heart, a fundamental conversion, a radical shift of priorities will deliver humanity from its suicidal plunge into chaos. The experts tell us that the year 2050 is the point of no return. If we have not stabilized the atmosphere by then billions of people will be drowned or frozen to death. There will be no reprieve.

            Bill McKibben summarizes his appeal to the five million subscribers to the National Geographic: "We need ? a convivial environmentalism, one that asks us to figure out what we really want out of life ? [with] a new link to communities of faith ? churches, synagogues and mosques.? Their political help is crucial for making necessary legislative change.? Environmentalism has to pay as much attention to preachers and sociologists as it does to scientists."

            Having spent the last 35 years working with others to raise God's creation as a major theological category in the life of the congregations, I can report very little progress. Occasionally you hear a sermon or sing "This Is My Father's World" or "For the Beauty of the Earth". There are some faith-based organizations (I belong to several myself) dealing with these issues, but with a few exceptions the religious community has only been heard peripherally in the struggle to save the environment.

            If it were otherwise, Bill McKibben would not be asking us to come alive and speak out. In 1970 John Cobb published a little book entitled Is It Too Late? where he gave the religious communities ten years to wake up the society to the environment crisis. That was over three decades ago. It may be too late now, but what choice do we have? Better late than never.

            What is actually needed is a massive change in the economies of nations, plus new business models!and perhaps new political models. Please use your good offices to encourage the individuals and institutions with which you are connected to begin the shift to a "convivial environmentalism," to lifestyles based on the centrality of the local community, to the soft energy path (solar and wind instead of  petroleum and nuclear), to peaceful resolution of international conflicts (no more war) and to a sustainable future for our children who will bless us for our consideration of them and their children.

Rev. Albert G Cohen, Southern California Ecumenical Council, 195 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena CA 91106, 626-578-6371, Fax: 626-578-6358, scec1@scec1.net, Web Site: scec1.net

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