The one about climate change

      The debate on climate change is fascinating. On the one hand, there are scientists (whose job is to conduct research, collect data, study the environment and make learned conclusions) saying that the reason for the warming climate is humankind and the burning of fossil fuels.

      On another hand, there are the deniers who say the earth isn’t getting warmer. Tish, tosh, it’s all a baked-up scheme. These “lefty” scientists only have an agenda so keep burning your gasoline, coal, whatever, say the climate deniers.

      There isn’t any doubt that the earth is warming. Take a look at the melting polar ice caps and honestly tell me temperatures haven’t risen in the past 50 years.

      But to claim that humankind is the ONLY reason that this is happening, I believe, is an incomplete answer. No one can say for certain what ALL the reasons are. I hear precious little talk that this could be part of a natural shift in the earth’s climate. Climate data collection is, geologically speaking, a recent occurrence. The earth is about four billion years old, so we do not know all the facts of how long climate changes take.

      So it comes down to responsibility. And one of the responsibilities all of us have is to be wise stewards of the earth and its resources. It is a sacred responsibility to care for God’s creation. As it is written in 1 Peter 4:8-9: “⁸ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

      One of the greatest gifts is this precious planet. So when I say we don’t know for certain what all the reasons are for global warming, don’t misunderstand me.

      Should we start cherishing the oceans instead of using them as a sewer/garbage dump? Yes.

      Should we continue to improve recycling and reusable energy sources? Of course.

      Should we keep searching for more alternatives to fossil fuels and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions? Absolutely.

      Should we invest more in solar power and wind power as two pieces of the energy puzzle? Certainly.

      By the year 2020, the world’s population will have tripled in 70 years, so should there be conversations about over population and its ramifications? A big thumbs up.

      Is it possible to find solutions that are ecologically and economically sound? No doubt.

      John F. Kennedy believed that difficult choices must be made, but he also had an unbounded belief in the human spirit and in our collective ingenuity. He once said, “With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”

      I firmly believe that we must take better care of God’s gifts – God’s grace – to us. It is our sacred duty not just to our Creator, but to each other and future generations.