Faith
community holds rally in support of climate
change legislation
Event
reflects growing concern by religious groups
over global warming
LOUISVILLE — An interfaith group
that included Presbyterians gathered outside the
Memphis, TN, office of U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander
(R-Tenn.) last week in support of Congress’ work
to draft effective climate change legislation.
The Climate Change Rally on March 27 was among
more than a dozen gatherings held across the
country by the National Council of Churches (NCC)
that signaled the faith community’s growing
concern around the issue of global warming and
its desire for action.
Those attending the events urged their elected
officials to take stronger action to cut harmful
greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
Hundreds of congregations and communities across
the country have already taken steps to lower
their greenhouse gas emissions.
The Rev. Jarad Bingham, who is president of the
Memphis Ministers Association and pastor of
Shady Grove Presbyterian Church in Memphis,
organized the peaceful event outside Alexander’s
office.
The senator serves on committees overseeing
clean air, highways, science, education and the
Tennessee Valley Authority. He is also a member
of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville,
TN.
A story on the Web site of the Memphis
Commercial Appeal described the event as
“more of a lawn picnic than a protest” with no
rally chants, no signs and no impassioned
speeches. It said an organic farmer handed out
free herbs to the group of 44 people as kids
played on the lawn.
About half of those attending were thought to be
Presbyterian, according to a press release from
the NCC.
Invited by Bingham, a representative of
Alexander circled the crowd, speaking of the
senator’s passion for solar power and green
energy sources, the Commercial Appeal
reported.
“I wanted to show solidarity between people who
care about the environment and the lawmakers,”
Bingham told the Memphis newspaper.
In addition to Presbyterians, there were
Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Episcopal, United
Church of Christ and Quaker faith followers
attending the rally. They all agreed that
climate change is an issue of justice for the
poor.
The NCC has said that global warming is having
and will continue to have a devastating impact
on those living in poverty around the world,
particularly those in the least developed
countries.
If corrective measures aren’t taken soon, then
the NCC’s 35 member denominations and communions
would need to double their funding for food
security in developing countries, particularly
in Africa, according to a recent report by the
NCC outlining the impact of climate change on
church ministries, which cites data from the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
“Climate change will not
only have an impact on the voiceless and the
vulnerable it will also limit the church’s
ability to provide assistance for these
individuals, families and countries,” Bingham
said. |
