Climate Change

Religious bodies are becoming more aware that a concern for the environment is not only consistent with Christian doctrine, it may be considered an essential aspect of it. The changes in climate caused by global warming normally have the greatest impact on the poor. In that light, here's a letter to U.S. Senators from the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church:


Urgent action by the United States in response to global warming is long past due. As the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, I urge the Senate to take up climate change legislation at the earliest possible moment. As one who has been formed both through a deep faith and as a scientist, I believe science has shown us unequivocally that climate change and global warming are real, and caused in significant part by human activities. Climate change is a threat not only to God’s good creation but to all of humanity.

I am pleased that bi-partisan legislation introduced by Senators Joseph Lieberman and John Warner successfully moved through the committee process with many improvements and now awaits Senate debate. Senate bill 2191, America’s Climate Security Act, is a strong step forward in achieving carbon emission reductions. At the same time it includes measures aimed at addressing the needs of the world’s most vulnerable: those, who for demographic reasons such as health or location are most susceptible to the effects of climate change, and those living in poverty at home and around the world. I strongly support this legislation. Our nation, historically the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, has a responsibility to lead the way in addressing the impact of climate change.

Climate change exacerbates extreme world poverty and poverty is hastening global warming. Most people living in poverty around the world lack access to a reliable energy source, forcing many to choose energy sources such as oil, coal, or wood, which threaten to expand significantly the world's greenhouse emissions and thus accelerate the effects of climate change. That need for resources to purchase energy must be addressed in any attempt to lift a community out of poverty. This cycle—poverty that begets climate change and vice versa—threatens the future of all people, rich and poor alike. The poverty cycle driven by climate change will only add to political instability, social violence, and war. Our own domestic tranquility and security are intimately tied to the well-being of the poor both here and abroad.

I am grateful for Congressional attention to climate change, and I challenge the Senate to support measures to further strengthen S. 2191 during floor consideration. I want to be absolutely clear that for those living in poverty, inaction on our part now will ultimately be the most costly of all courses of action. I am grateful to the members of Congress who have recognized and spoken out on that very important truth.

Many in the faith community have long been aware of the ways in which our lack of concern for the rest of creation results in death and destruction for our neighbors. We cannot love our neighbors unless we care for the creation that supports all our earthly lives. I join my fellow Episcopalians in urging the Senate of the 110th Congress to pass the strongest climate change legislation possible. The acknowledgment of global warming and the Church’s commitment to ameliorating it are a part of the ongoing discovery of God’s revelation to humanity and the call to a fuller understanding of the scriptural imperative to love our neighbor as ourselves. I remain

Your servant in Christ,
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate