ACT TODAY!
Join us in doing what you can (see below), and in using your voice to demand moral courage from our leaders in Washington.
As Christians we see two parts to helping solve the global warming crisis.
FIRST, we must take strong actions to stop hurting the most vulnerable among us, by reducing the amount of greenhouse gas pollution we emit, personally, and as a nation. Scientifically, this is known as mitigating climate change, by reducing its severity.
SECOND, we must start helping help our neighbors in need to adjust to the climate changes already occurring. The world’s poorest citizens are already experiencing the impacts, and they need the resources to protect themselves into the future. Scientifically, this is known as adapting to climate change.
Other Actions You Can Take
Jump to: Individual or Family Member | Church Leader or Member | Citizen or Community Member
The actions we can take to reduce global warming pollution springs from one central idea: reduce our own consumption of fossil fuels (oil and coal) and support efforts by government and businesses to do the same. Reducing our burning of oil and coal can be achieved by using energy more efficiently and by switching to renewable forms of energy such as solar, wind, and biomass.
It is not possible to protect ourselves from climate change simply by adapting. The effects will be too severe and too universal. Just as in our own homes we would have to both mop up the damages from an overflowing sink (adaptation) AND fix the running faucet that’s causing the problem (mitigation), so also both adaptation and mitigation are necessary to solve the global warming crisis.
10 Things You Can Do as an Individual and Family Member
1 - Pray that God will help all of us become aware of and address this problem, especially our leaders. Use the new Prayer Guide for Global Warming to get started
2 - Study the Bible in light of the impacts global warming will have on people and God’s other creatures.
3 - Keep informed by signing up for our HYPERLINK “http://www.christiansandclimate.org/signup” email updates/action alerts.
4 - Organize your life so that it is easier and more desirable to walk, bike, car pool and use public transportation.
5 - When a new passenger vehicle is required, purchase the most fuel efficient and least polluting vehicle that truly meets your needs.
6 - Keep your car’s engine tuned up, the tires properly inflated, and don’t carry weight unnecessarily in the car (e.g., using the trunk for storage).
7 - Weatherize your home to conserve energy and cover your water heater with a fire-safe insulator. (Check to see if your utility or your local or state government offers an incentive or rebate program to help you weatherize your home.)
8 - Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy efficient appliances. (Look for the “Energy Star” label.)
9 - Choose electricity produced from renewable sources if available in your area.
10 - Support businesses that are reducing their global warming pollution by your investments and purchases.
5 Things You Can Do as a Church Leader or Church Member
1 - Ask your church to pray that our country will help solve global warming, and pray for those who are impacted by its consequences. Share with them the Prayer Guide for Global Warming.
2 - If you are a senior evangelical leader, contact us to sign our Statement, Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action. If you are a church member, let your senior pastor know about our Statement and encourage him or her to sign.
3 - Have your church offer an educational session on global warming utilizing our Statement, Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action. (Also see our Resources page) Contact us about having one of the leaders of the Evangelical Climate Initiative speak.
4 - Encourage your church to make its buildings more energy efficient, its vehicles more fuel efficient, to establish a car pool program for attendance at church services and activities, and to choose electricity produced from renewable sources if available in your area.
5 - Have your church donate the money it saves from fuel savings and energy efficiency measures to missions.
3 Things You Can Do as a Citizen and Community Member
1 - Contact your Senators and Representative and let them know that as a Christian you are concerned about global warming’s impact on the poor and your children’s future and you want them to support legislation that significantly addresses the problem. (How to Contact Congress)
2 - Write a letter to the editor of the local paper about the Evangelical Climate Initiative and a Christian perspective on global warming. (How to Write a Letter to the Editor)
3 - If you are a business leader, encourage your employees to use public transportation and participate in ride-share programs, avoid subsidizing parking, and purchase fuel-efficient business vehicles. Check to see if your city offers discounts for your employees to take public transportation. Invest in making your building and appliances energy efficient. Check to see if your city and/or state offer incentives or rebates for energy efficient upgrades in your workplace.