“We care for God’s creation and each other by being good stewards.” (From Holy Trinity’s “Guiding Principals,” last statement under “Serve the Lord”)
I’m sitting at my computer, attempting to write a short Tidings article about the latest BGLibrary news. There’s a fan inches away blowing cool air directly into my face, but, still, sweat pours off my forehead, threatening my eyesight.
This summer the entire world is breaking temperature records week after week. Here in New England we’re experiencing unprecedented flooding, broken dams, washed-out roads, and rising sea levels. Across southern U.S., people are dying from heat stroke in unremitting 100+ degree temperatures. Climate change is undoubtedly the world’s biggest threat. Climate experts warn us that things are only going to get worse unless we humans immediately change the ways we use (and misuse) energy.
This morning on the radio I listened to a report that the United States and China are the world’s largest consumers of fossil energy, the largest source of climate change. Ugh. That includes me. I can’t blame this on Europe or Russia or Asia or any of the under-developed nations.
I think of my future. Personally, with the years I have left to live and enjoy this beautiful earth, the changes might not impact me so much. On excessively hot days, I’ll just carry along my tiny personal battery-powered fan. I’ll enjoy an icy drink. I’ll get along. That story I heard this morning said we have a few more years—maybe 20—before the damage is irreparable.
But. Twenty years from now my kids and grandkids will just be in their prime. And I want them to have a beautiful world.
So what can I do? What can we do? As an individual, no matter how much I care, I’m pretty much powerless to change or stop the fuel industries.
Here’s what I can do: I can become informed. The BGLibrary has a section labeled “Creation Care.” It’s not yet very large, but the set contains several wonderful books specifically about climate change. The more we know, the more informed we become, the better equipped we’ll be. Only through knowledge will we be able to activate. In a democracy, an individual has a vote, and we need to use that vote to advise both politicians and industries.
Four BGLibrary books that will help me grasp a better understanding of what we’re dealing with:
- The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
- The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell
- On Fire by Naomi Klein
- The Green Consumer by Elkington, Hailes, and Makewer
These aren’t necessarily “fun” summer reading, but I guarantee that each has valuable information, the kind of information we all need now at this dire time in our earth’s history.
“In the Holy Scriptures, God assigns a sacred responsibility to human beings: we are to care for and keep God’s creation for future generations.” (Opening statement from Earth’s Climate Crisis, a message from the ELCA, page 1.) For further reading, there’s a copy of Earth’s Climate Crisis on the library desk. Check it out, or go on-line at ELCA.org for a personal copy.