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Climate Change
God created the earth, and it is sacred. As Psalm 24:1 proclaims, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.” Therefore we are called to stewardship of the earth. When we work to protect creation, we are answering God’s call to till and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). In the face of deepening ecological crises caused by the earth’s warming, our call to act as earth’s caretakers takes on more meaning. Our efforts will curtail the shrinking of sacred waters, the endangerment of living creatures of every kind, and the vulnerability of our brothers and sisters in developing countries. [Read more]
Countdown to Copenhagen
International leaders will be meeting in Copenhagen in December to create a new international agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions that will replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012. These are crucial talks, and it is important for the United States to take a leading role in curbing climate change. Take the Countdown to Copenhagen pledge through Church World Service to send a message urging President Obama to urge strong action on climate changes issues and to pledge to do your part for climate change. Church World Service and the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program will be delivering the pledges in Washington, D.C. on November 5, so act quickly!
Earth Day Sunday: Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life
The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program has produced Earth Day resources for April 2010. Why so early this year? The resource, Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life, urges congregations to make wise stewardship decisions — both environmental and financial — regarding their worship space. The goal is for churches to begin to implement changes to honor God and the earth, and then to celebrate these steps on the Sunday before or after Earth Day — April 22, 2010. Visit the National Council of Churches Web site to download the PC(USA) version of this Earth Day Resource. Find Earth Day resources.
Before the summer break, the House of Representatives passed comprehensive climate and energy legislation.
This is the first of four key steps to addressing climate change here in the United States, responding to the urgent need to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.
The next step in the process is to get the Senate to pass a bill as well, hopefully with some improvements on the House bill.
With the health reform conversation taking over the public debate, however, there is a real possibility that everything, including climate change, will be put on hold until Congress closes the books on health care. The climate crisis cannot wait, and with international climate negotiations scheduled for Copenhagen in December, it is more important than ever that the Senate act on a bill before the end of the year.
Tell your senators to make sure they act on climate and energy legislation in 2009.
Presbyterians for Restoring Creation changes its name to Presbyterians for Earth Care
Presbyterians for Earth Care, formerly called Presbyterians for Restoring Creation, is an ecojustice network for people of faith who are interested in working for the well-being of humankind on a thriving earth. PEC holds a national conference every two years and will be holding regional events in 2010. To learn more about PEC or to join the organization, please visit their Web site.
Update on climate legislation and new PC(USA) energy policy
Download "The Power to Change: U.S. Energy Policy and Global Warming",  which was approved by the 218th General Assembly in 2008. See how the current policy debate in Washington fits with PC(USA) policy. Download Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons’s letters to the U.S. House and Senate and the president regarding the energy policy and climate change.
The Presbyterian Center wins ENERGY STAR award
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Presbyterian Center, home of the national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has been honored with an ENERGY STAR award for positive changes the center has made to conserve energy. [Read more]
What does our
office do?
Environmental Ministries works to inspire and equip congregations and presbyteries to work for eco-justice for all of God's earth.
Environmental Ministries:
- produces, promotes and distributes faith-based environmental resources for individuals, congregations and presbyteries
- coordinates a network of Stewardship of Creation Enablers who support education, leadership development and environmental ministries throughout their presbyteries
- communicates with the Presbyterian Washington Office and the Presbyterian U.N. Office on advocacy around environmental issues
- cooperates with the World Council of Churches in international climate change negotiations
- networks with other denominations' environmental staff persons through the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Working Group
- promotes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star for Congregations program
- relates to relates to Presbyterians for Earth Care, an Eco-Justice network dedicated to environmental wholeness with social justice, seeking to be a prophetic voice for substantive change in the church and in the world
Please contact us! To find out more information, to learn how
you can participate in any of the above activities, or to share
your environmental success stories, please email Katie Holmes.
And the Leaves of the Tree are for the Healing of the Nations
Concise booklet explains biblical and theological foundations for cherishing God's Creation. Focuses on Genesis, Psalms, Pauline writings and the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ.
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