Climate Progress

Climate change is an issue with many dimensions — political, scientific, social, economic. As Al Gore and others have noted, it also is a moral issue. Its moral dimension is gradually being articulated within the climate action movement. It’s worthwhile to take a break from science and politics to focus on the softer side of this profoundly important issue.

For example, take the call to action issued by 1Sky, an emerging coalition of environmental, social justice, religious and other leaders who plan to mobilize 1 million Americans around a positive vision of climate action:

Calling America: It’s our time

This year, 2007, right now, marks a turning point in human history. We have arrived at a clearly marked crossroads. Our defining challenge, our greatest opportunity, is now. We have only 1 sky.

We can turn toward a brighter future — a new, durable prosperity in healthy communities, an economy that sustains abundance and shares it well. Or we can barrel ahead toward climate disruption, economic decline, growing inequality, and growing insecurity. This crossroads is brightly lit. We cannot fail to see it. And we cannot miss the turn.

Until recently, it was possible to believe that global warming was not real, or not caused by humans. But the truth is now clear: people cause global warming and people must fix it beginning immediately. Until recently, it was possible to believe that fossil fuel addiction was the price of a good, prosperous life. Now, this dependence bleeds our economy and threatens our security.

We know these things now. The images they produce are etched in our hearts — from the ravaged Gulf Coast to the dwindling snows of the arid West, from lost livelihoods in Detroit to lost lives in the Middle East. With our knowledge of the truth comes an irresistible moral responsibility: we must turn — quickly and decisively. We have the tools to do it. America in particular, with all of our blessings, has a responsibility to do it.

For too long, we’ve been told we can’t make big changes to build a brighter future. Our leaders have reduced our expectations and underestimated our potential. Our political system has divided and diminished us instead of calling us to higher ground.

We’re not having it anymore. We won’t take “can’t” for an answer.

We can rise to the defining challenge of our generation and stop global warming. We can build a fair, prosperous clean energy economy that secures our future. We can show the world America’s true colors and lead the global campaign for climate solutions.

It’s our time. It’s not too late or too early or too hard or too easy to do what’s right and necessary. It’s exactly now that we must act boldly to secure a future worthy of our kids.

We call on all Americans to:

Be the solution. With wise energy, transportation, and consumer choices, we can waste less and live better. And from this foundation of personal responsibility, we can rise to our collective responsibility as citizens and….

Demand leadership. Our leaders and aspiring leaders must commit to solutions at the scale of the problem, or we will choose different leaders. We can and must immediately mobilize America to build a thriving clean energy economy that protects our children from dangerous climate change, increases energy security, and creates lasting economic opportunity for all.

In September 2007, a group of religious leaders met in Iceland and issued this statement:

The Icefjord Commitment

Amidst the wisdom and majesty of water, ice and sunlight, we have prayed within the realm of our own traditions.

Now we stand side by side in acknowledgement of our responsibility toward God’s creation.

We recognize that interdependence of all life, that in its many manifestations sustains this planet, and realize our dependence on this myriad of relationships

We commit ourselves to the simplest acts of love, compassion and gratitude toward the vast web of life.

The Earth is a living entity with incredible healing powers, and we have much to learn. It is the task of our generation to leave this sacred Earth, in all its wisdom and beauty to the generations to come.

Let the work begin.

We make this pledge before the whole of creation.

One verse being invoked in the climate movement is the Hopi Elders’ Prophecy issued in June 2000. It says, in part:

Hopi Elders’ Prophecy

You have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour,
now you
must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered…

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?

Know your garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for a leader.,,

Gather yourselves!
Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we must do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

– Bill B.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 amand is filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.