Caring for the Earth: Choosing Creation over Empire

Caring for the Earth :

Caring for the Earth Choosing Creation over Empire

Agenda:

Agenda Climate Bingo The Creation Story Pausing for Reflection What’s the Big Deal? Why Empire? Living Alternatives Covenanting for Life The Beginning

The Earth Is Central to Our Faith:

The Earth Is Central to Our Faith It helps us connect as a community It feeds and sustains all living things It puts us in relationship with the Earth How we relate to the Earth says a lot about us ©WCC/Peter Williams

The Creation Story:

The Creation Story “The Bible sees creation as sacred…. In the Genesis story of creation, after each phase, God declares that it is good. In doing so God sanctifies earth. When we walk the earth, we are indeed treading on sacred ground .” – The Very Rev. Bill Phipps Moderator , 1997-2000

Pausing…:

Pausing… One hamburger = 12 lbs. of grain © Karen Harrahan

…for Reflection:

…for Reflection 2,500 gallons of water 1 lb. of rainforest beef Rusa Jeremic

A McDonald’s Hamburger :

A McDonald’s Hamburger This burger was bought in 1996. It was photographed in 2008. It’s TWELVE YEARS OLD!! More about the burger: http://bestofmotherearth.com/the-burger © Karen Harrahan

What’s the Big Deal?:

What’s the Big Deal? Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that occur normally in the atmosphere. They are kept in check by the natural processes our earth undertakes, such as photosynthesis.

Industrial Revolution:

Industrial Revolution The late 18 th century brought with it rapid growth based on the exploitation of natural resources. This includes excessive burning of fossil fuels, mining, deforestation, export-oriented agri-business. Dependence on (love affair with) oil.

Climate Change:

Climate Change Since the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere have increased more than 30%. The best science tells us that the maximum temperature rise the Earth can tolerate is 2℃. Maintaining the status quo would increase temperatures more than 4℃.

Climate Change :

Climate Change 350 parts per million of CO 2 in our atmosphere is what most scientists and climate activists agree to be the safe upper limit. The level is rising by approx. 2 ppm per year. Source: 350.org

Climate Change Impacts:

Climate Change Impacts Extreme weather patterns Forest fires Species extinction Flooding Draughts/water shortages Arctic melt

Making Connections …:

Making Connections … Climate change annually leaves over 300,000 people dead, 325 million seriously affected, and leads to economic losses of US$125 billion. Climate change has forced some 50 million additional people to go hungry and has driven 10 million into extreme poverty. – according to the Global Humanitarian Forum, 2009

Biggest Polluters, Smallest Consequences :

Biggest Polluters, Smallest Consequences Canada emits more than four times the global average of carbon emissions. Less than 20% of the world’s population emits almost 75% of all greenhouse-gas emissions that are destroying our Earth.

Smallest Polluters, Biggest Consequences :

Smallest Polluters, Biggest Consequences Although developing countries contribute only about 1/3 of greenhouses gases, they will suffer about 75 to 80 percent of the damages caused by global warming. − according to Justin Lin, Chief Economist of the World Bank

Impacts in the Global South:

Impacts in the Global South Displacement of peoples Food insecurity Loss of sources of livelihood Reduced access to water Forced migration Women are disproportionately affected by climate change

Who’s Responsible? :

Who’s Responsible? Joy Kennedy

Power:

Power Go to the following link to watch a short video by Mothers Against Climate Change: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwrrikNeFZg

Thinking about Power:

Thinking about Power ©Alexandra Byers ©WCC/Juan Michel ©Alexandra Byers

Power Is …:

Power Is … CORE

:

Remember how much grain it takes to produce one pound of hamburger? And water? Is it any surprise that agri-business is a leading cause of climate change? Business at a cost… Rusa Jeremic

:

Lasting impacts of the BP Gulf oil spill. Farm fields and fish ponds destroyed by leaking pipelines in Nigeria. Tar sands: Negative impacts on water, fish, wildlife, and communities. Increasing downstream cancer rates. Wildlife deaths. Profit at What Cost? Sarah Stratton, KAIROS

Consumers Play a Role:

Consumers Play a Role According to Tim Jackson, author of Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet (2009), the drive to continual growth—selling more goods, stimulating consumer demand— is so strong that it’s beginning to undermine the very interests it’s supposed to serve.

Covenanting for Life :

Covenanting for Life We name this complex human-made web of domination “empire.” The many forms of empire are the primary obstacles to God’s purposes of justice, equality, and reconciliation between peoples and nations and within creation. ©Alexandra Byers

Why Empire? :

Why Empire? As a metaphor for interconnected systems of domination, empire affects all levels of relationships. As a lens, it helps us see in new and complex ways. As a concept, empire intersects multiple issues. Southern partners call us to recognize systems of domination as empire. © Dreamstime

Why Empire? :

Why Empire? It’s relational  the unjust use of power by some results in the abuse, disempowerment, or destruction of others. Empire is a way to talk about greed and injustice. We live in a context of empire, as Jesus lived. How similar is our response? An understanding of empire could help the church be prophetic and justice-seeking. © Dreamstime

Governments Implement & Support Policies:

Governments Implement & Support Policies “There is also strong empirical evidence for the view that economic liberalization policies – widely touted as the pathway to prosperity and convergence – have caused the gap between rich and poor in global and national terms to further widen in recent years.” “Wealth, Poverty, & Ecology” World Council of Churches, 2008

Governments Play a Crucial Role in Global Talks:

Governments Play a Crucial Role in Global Talks The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ratified by 192 countries, asserts that the largest share of global emissions of greenhouse gases, historically and currently, originates in developed countries.

Who Do Governments Serve? Who Should Governments Serve?:

Who Do Governments Serve? Who Should Governments Serve? © Peter Williams WCC

How Does the System Work? :

How Does the System Work? Things have changed rapidly.... Overconsumption by some leads to increasing poverty for others and increasing degradation of Earth … means Exploitation of the Earth’s resources is the primary cause of climate change … means Increasing concentration of power … means Less autonomy: more environmental destruction and more poverty

Brainstorm:

Brainstorm Do you see how the system that created the climate crisis might be called empire? In what ways? ©J

Time for a New Narrative!:

Time for a New Narrative! Another way that appeals to the better part of our nature – not guilt. A narrative based on love and joy. This isn’t “us vs. them” – it’s all of us. We are all stewards of the Earth – what is our responsibility? Think back to the creation story.

Climate Justice:

Climate Justice The fair treatment of all people and freedom from discrimination, with the creation of polices and projects that address climate change and the systems that create climate change and perpetuate discrimination. The right of all people to live, work, play, and pray in safe, healthy, and clean environments. A future free from fossil fuels that protects the most vulnerable from the impacts of climate change. © Peter Williams WCC

Slide 34:

The Earth does not have enough for the North to live better and better, but it does have enough for all to live well. − paraphrase of Evo Morales, President of Bolivia

“During this time life has changed,” says Sukoluhle Moyo, a single mother who has gone from receiving food aid to sharing seeds and food with others. :

“During this time life has changed,” says Sukoluhle Moyo, a single mother who has gone from receiving food aid to sharing seeds and food with others. Christian Care, a United Church partner in Zimbabwe, is helping mostly female farmers through its conservation farming Nkayi project. Conservation Farming: Minimal soil disturbance Use of mulch to conserve Diversified crop rotations Timely land prep and weeding Maize yields have increased by more than 200%! Living Alternatives… © Canadian Foodgrains Bank

…Resisting Empire The Pacific Conference of Churches is a fellowship of Pacific Island member churches promoting integrity of creation and solidarity during times of natural disasters and social upheavals. :

…Resisting Empire The Pacific Conference of Churches is a fellowship of Pacific Island member churches promoting integrity of creation and solidarity during times of natural disasters and social upheavals. The issue of forced migration and the resettlement of vulnerable Pacific island communities due to climate change is urgent. The Pacific is particularly vulnerable to the harsh effects of climate change. PCP believes that it must to be on the agenda of any United Nations agreement on climate change. It is a global responsibility. © Pacific Conference of Churches

…Living Faithfully Greening Sacred Spaces:

…Living Faithfully Greening Sacred Spaces Faith and the Common Good

The Moderator’s Spirit Express:

The Moderator’s Spirit Express As she travels across the country, Moderator Mardi Tindal is stopping to meet with people to explore how we can respond with hope to the environmental challenges of our time. She is travelling by train as both a practical and a symbolic way of emphasizing the need to reduce our carbon footprint.

Ideas for a Whole Earth Justice :

Ideas for a Whole Earth Justice Conservation of the Sacred Gift of the Earth: Land policies with small farmers at the centre to enable sustainable agricultural policies. Food Sovereignty: The right of peoples to safe, healthy, and ecologically sustainable food production, and to choose food policies that work for people. Sustainability: equality, equity, sufficiency, subsidiarity: Meet needs of present without compromising future generations. Meet needs of the poor, and recognize viable limits and disposal rates for Mother Earth. A Whole Earth Community: Restore right relationship with peoples, all species of life, and Mother Earth. Binding global treaties & corporate accountability: Creating global binding treaties that regulate market concentration and uphold human and environmental rights. Economy of enough: Too much wealth is counter-productive. Challenge consumerism. Low carbon economy – de-carbonization: Promote a switch to a low-carbon economy, with incentives & support. Fair trade: Co-operatives, price guarantees, safe working conditions.

A Covenant for Life in Creation…:

A Covenant for Life in Creation…

Slide 41:

We seek to choose life and resist empire, to create sustainable alternatives for the common good, to form holistic relationship and communities of joy and justice, to enact daring discipleship and mutuality on the sacred Earth

Our Closing Is Our Beginning :

Our Closing Is Our Beginning As we commit to covenanting for life, what are some ways to move forward? Action Community Advocacy People Justice

Covenanting for Life:

Covenanting for Life As people of God, as part of the worldwide community and of God’s sacred creation, we humbly and joyfully covenant to learn to live faithfully in the midst of empire and to respond to God’s call for renewed life for all. God be our guide and helper!

Slide 44:

© 2011 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca . Any copy must include this notice. Slide 4: Bill Phipps quote. The Very Rev. Bill Phipps, “God Sanctifies Earth,” Mandate special edition, May 2009: Living for the Earth: Choosing Creation over Empire. Slide 11: Climate Change graph. 350.org. Used with permission. Slide 27: WCC quote. World Council of Churches, “Wealth, Poverty, & Ecology,” 2008. Used by permission of the World Council of Churches. Slide 37: Steps to Greening graphic. Faith and the Common Good. Used with permission.