Climate Justice

            This month continues a series of articles about some of the key resolutions from our 2015 ELCIC National Convention.  In this case, the resolution on Climate Justice supports the position of the Lutheran World Federation, which acknowledges that climate change is influenced by human actions and has become a matter of social and economic justice.  This is because climate change tends to affect those who are poorest and most vulnerable more than others.

            This point was driven home for me in a new way at the Common Life Missions Conference that I attended in New Zealand.  One of the presenters was the Most Rev. Dr. Winston Halapua from the Diocese of Polynesia.  Within this diocese, there are at least three island nations that will disappear into the ocean before the end of this century due to rising sea levels.  One of the resulting questions is where the people who live there are supposed to go.

            A related issue that was also discussed is the fact that many people on these islands don’t have a birth certificate.  While in Canada such a thing is pretty much automatic, in many places in the South Pacific it is not.  In a country like Papua New Guinea, for example, there is only one place in the entire country where you can register a birth, and most people could never afford to travel there.

            The result is that there are entire nations full of people with no government issued ID.  In fact, many of them have never needed such a thing.  However, imagine having to leave your home and then being refused by other countries because you can’t prove who you are or where you were born!

            This is just one example of the human face of climate change.  At the same time, I heard a number of different speakers who spoke about climate justice and care of creation as part of the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20).  They pointed to the fact that “all authority in heaven and on earth” has been given to Jesus.  One can also point to the very end of the gospel of Mark where the good news is to be proclaimed “to the whole creation” (Mk. 16:15).  Is it really possible to worship God and yet neglect the care of God’s creation?

            At the same time, I am well aware of the differing opinions that are out there when it comes to climate change.  At the National Convention there were differing opinions as well.  However, the majority of the delegates voted in favour of the resolution that called on all members, congregations and synods to become more sustainable and eco-friendly.

            Once again, I would encourage you to read the entire resolution for yourself.  It is available either in the binder of convention resolutions in the narthex of the church or via the ELCIC website (http://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2015-Edmonton/Motions.cfm).  Climate justice continues to be a complex issue, but it is one that invites us to be aware of the needs of others, as well as being aware of our own contribution to climate change.

            “The whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now” (Rom. 8:22).  What are we being called to do in order to share the love of God with all people?

                        In Christ,

                        Pastor Lynne Hutchison