EARTH:

Earth Action, Reflection, Theology, and Hope

Staying Faithful

to God’s Creation

The first two weeks of the new administration have been predictable, at least from an environmental viewpoint. The League of Conservation Voters gives Lee Zeldin, the new head of the EPA, a 14% lifetime score for his record. In 2022, he favored an amendment that would have cut the EPA’s budget, voted for pulling the US out of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and opted against investment in conservation and restoration of America’s wildlife.

As faithful Christians who believe in protecting God’s creation, many of us are asking, “Where do we go from here?” The Bible provides the answer: “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Much of my hope lies in the small and large communities embracing local actions to tackle environmental issues in their backyards. For example, in this issue, you’ll read about ordinary citizens working to reduce Evanston, Illinois’ carbon footprint through promoting healthy buildings. It’s an excellent example of the “think global, act local” strategy. You can also learn about the sustainability fair held by St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, demonstrating how we can spread environmental education from the bottom up.

But much work remains in communities worldwide. Don’t miss Richard Randolph’s powerful piece about the environmental devastation caused by the war in Ukraine, Mary Beene’s review of Bruce McLaren’s book offering a sobering assessment of our future, and Nancy Corson Carter’s take on a documentary about the ubiquity of plastic in our world.

As we look ahead to the next four years, let’s set our sights on rejoicing in hope, being patient in affliction, and persevering in prayer.

Eric Diekhans
Editor

Spreading the Word

St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA reached beyond its walls to raise environmental awareness in surrounding communities through a Sustainable Living Fair that educated the public on practical ways to live a more earth-friendly lifestyle.

Living Carbon-Free

Environmental activists in Evanston, Illinois have launched an ambitious effort to reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 45% through an ordinance that will eventually require all large buildings in the city to switch to renewable energy.

Living Beyond Hope

Rev. Mary Beene reviews Bruce McLaren’s powerful book Life After Doom, which challenges us to “focus on love, not hope” as we confront the devastating consequences of our careless exploitation of God’s creation.

The Hidden Cost of War

We’ve all seen the human cost of the devastating war in Ukraine, but few people know about the serious environmental damage the war is inflicting on a nation and the world.

Plastic People

The documentary We’re All Plastic People Now investigates the hidden story of plastic and its effect on human health. In an era of throw-away ease, convenience has cost us our well-being.

Watch the Film