Surely you’ve seen the news that teenaged climate activist Greta Thunberg of Sweden was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019. (If you haven’t read the excellent accompanying article, check it out here.)
The interest around Ms. Thunberg’s amazing journey as a spokesperson for the earth has helped to focus people around the world on the urgency of environmental preservation. Because the topic is both political and spiritual, my blog and podcast will return to it often.
Of course climate change is a political issue. Witness governments that are adopting new climate policies, and administrations (like ours in the US) that are resisting those policies and withdrawing from treaties designed to protect the environment. One of the most interesting aspects of the politics in the United States is that governmental agencies often issue—and sometimes then bury—reports that disagree with the official statements and policies of the administration.
As far as being a spiritual issue, I can’t think of any religion or spirituality that doesn’t believe in caring for the earth. (If you know of one, please send me an email.) From the Hebrew scriptures that speak of a created universe in which humans are given the honor and responsibility of being stewards, to indigenous religions that revere plant, animal, earth, and sky, faith groups have historically treasured the great gifts of our planet. Those who consider themselves spiritual but don’t identify with a particular religion often connect deeply with nature.
As we enter a new year in the Gregorian calendar, many people consider making resolutions. What if, once each month, you resolved to do something to support the environment, reduce global warming, and draw attention to how our actions as individuals and nations affect the earth, the air, and human lives.
- Call or write your elected officials about environmental policy, especially regarding particular legislation.
- Send a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, write a blog, or post in social media about climate change.
- Research how you can make an impact by recycling, reducing your carbon footprint, consuming less.
- Work with your faith community or another organization to imagine how they might initiate positive change.
- Invest in companies that demonstrate care for the environment.
- Attend an event that supports the earth.
- Get into nature to appreciate what we are in danger of losing.
The environment. Global warming. Climate change. These issues are essential to the survival of our planet and its population. These issues are political. These issues are spiritual.
Let’s move forward on them in the new year. Let’s live in the same spirit as Greta Thunberg and try to make a difference.
© Melissa Bane Sevier, 2019