We must avoid ruination of the planet God has given us
We are at a crisis point in our concerns about the health of planet Earth. We know, sadly, that we cannot reverse the damage done, but we can stop further degradation of the environment if enough of us have the will to act toward one goal — to avoid ruination of the planet God has given us.
I am writing as a representative of the Lehigh Valley GreenFaith Circle, which is made up of several congregations and individuals including Lutherans, Episcopalians, Unitarian Universalists, Jews, Quakers and Muslims.
GreenFaith is an international, interfaith organization speaking out of our various traditions in hopes of constructively and faithfully addressing climate change.
The evidence of a strong correlation between human behavior (the burning of fossil fuels) and the higher global temperatures we see today is irrefutable, leading to increasing incidents of horrific fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, destruction of habitat, disappearing glaciers and polar ice melt.
In the Lehigh Valley, we have seen several 100-year floods in the past decade. The Lehigh River and Monocacy Creek overflowed their banks late every summer because of heavy rains, often the tail ends of stronger tropical storms.
An increasing amount of the region’s ground is covered by roads, housing developments, warehouses and parking lots, adding to the problem.
That’s because runoff water from them is unable to penetrate the ground, and floods waterways.
Even those outside of faith communities raise their voices to God during extreme disasters. Many of us pray.
But prayer without action is the pleading of unrepentant children. We need each other, and the community, in the quest for answers about what we can do.
We understand that few are willing to drive less, lower their thermostats in winter and forgo air conditioning most of the summer. Eating lower on the food chain with fewer animal products on the menu seems to be a supreme sacrifice unless we are in unity with others who will make the same adjustments for the sake of all. That is why we band together. On Sunday, from 3-4 p.m., the Lehigh Valley Greenfaith Circle will hold a public witness in Bethlehem at the south end of the Hill-toHill Bridge outside of the Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Nativity and also at the south end of Main Street in front of Central Moravian Church. This public witness will be repeated Monday from 4:30-5:30.
This action will take place all over the world on the same days. Our members will also contact elected officials about our climate concerns, with suggested actions they can take.
It seems daunting to turn this unfolding tragedy around. But there are some things we each can do.
Contact the mayor of your town, city council, the executive of your county, county commissioners and county council members, and your state representatives.
The message is clear: Climate change is real, and we are seeing the consequences right here in the Lehigh Valley. Please ensure that all further development is done with earthfriendly features: solar or wind power, access to adequate public transportation, green spaces breaking up parking lots, adequate attention to drainage, energy conservation measures, and planting trees wherever possible. Begin to decrease dependence on fossil fuels at each level of government.
You can also contact our local GreenFaith Circle in Bethlehem to join our efforts. For information on how to establish your own Greenfaith circle, go to www.greenfaith.org, where you will also find more information on the international focus of the group.
In Bethlehem, and the Greater Lehigh Valley, see our Facebook page; Lehigh Valley GreenFaith Circle. As one of our members says, “Killing the planet is against our religion.”
Many other groups representing environmental issues exist, including those advocating clean water, planting trees, adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, conservation of open space, green space and farmland, preservation of endangered wildlife and broader environmental concerns.
They are all doing important work that deserves our support. However, if you wish to engage in discussion and action with a faith-based focus, please join us.