08248
March 31, 2008
Faith community holds rally in support of climate change legislation
Event reflects growing concern by religious groups over global warming
LOUISVILLE — An interfaith group that included Presbyterians gathered outside the Memphis, TN, office of U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) last week in support of Congress’ work to draft effective climate change legislation.
The Climate Change Rally on March 27 was among more than a dozen gatherings held across the country by the National Council of Churches (NCC) that signaled the faith community’s growing concern around the issue of global warming and its desire for action.
Those attending the events urged their elected officials to take stronger action to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Hundreds of congregations and communities across the country have already taken steps to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
The Rev. Jarad Bingham, who is president of the Memphis Ministers Association and pastor of Shady Grove Presbyterian Church in Memphis, organized the peaceful event outside Alexander’s office.
The senator serves on committees overseeing clean air, highways, science, education and the Tennessee Valley Authority. He is also a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN.
A story on the Web site of the Memphis Commercial Appeal described the event as “more of a lawn picnic than a protest” with no rally chants, no signs and no impassioned speeches. It said an organic farmer handed out free herbs to the group of 44 people as kids played on the lawn.
About half of those attending were thought to be Presbyterian, according to a press release from the NCC.
Invited by Bingham, a representative of Alexander circled the crowd, speaking of the senator’s passion for solar power and green energy sources, the Commercial Appeal reported.
“I wanted to show solidarity between people who care about the environment and the lawmakers,” Bingham told the Memphis newspaper.
In addition to Presbyterians, there were Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Episcopal, United Church of Christ and Quaker faith followers attending the rally. They all agreed that climate change is an issue of justice for the poor.
The NCC has said that global warming is having and will continue to have a devastating impact on those living in poverty around the world, particularly those in the least developed countries.
If corrective measures aren’t taken soon, then the NCC’s 35 member denominations and communions would need to double their funding for food security in developing countries, particularly in Africa, according to a recent report by the NCC outlining the impact of climate change on church ministries, which cites data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
“Climate change will not only have an impact on the voiceless and the vulnerable it will also limit the church’s ability to provide assistance for these individuals, families and countries,” Bingham said. |
