Guterrez quote
A United Methodist Insight Column
If it seems like the world is going to hell from multiple crises, United Nations General Secretary António Guterres would agree.
In remarks he made at the end of July, Secretary Guterres "hammered energy companies for price gouging at a time of global crisis and urged governments to aggressively tax these corporations’ profits," according to the Aug. 7 issue of "Today's World View" newsletter (available by subscription) by Ishaan Tharoor and Sammy Westfall of the Washington Post. Tharoor quotes the U.N. leader:
“'It is immoral for oil and gas companies to be making record profits from this energy crisis on the backs of the poorest people and communities, at a massive cost to the climate,' Guterres said, assuming once more his perennial role as the world’s town crier on the threat of climate change and the need for governments to drastically reduce emissions.
“'This grotesque greed … is punishing the poorest and most vulnerable people, while destroying our only home,' he added.'
How big are their profits? Here are some numbers from recent second-quarter earnings reports, courtesy Mr. Tharoor:
- "BP posted second-quarter profits worth $8.5 billion, its biggest windfall in 14 years.
- "ExxonMobil went one further — its $17.9 billion in net income was its largest-ever quarterly profit.
- "U.S. company Chevron, London-based Shell and France’s TotalEnergies also recorded blockbuster results.
"Put together, these five major companies made $55 billion this past quarter, as hundreds of millions of people around the world bore the brunt of surging prices at the pump.
And it’s not just oil and gas — coal, which climate campaigners are desperately seeking to phase out, is surging, too. Glencore, the world’s largest coal shipper, generated record profits in the first half of 2022 and plans to pay out an additional $4.5 billion in dividends and buybacks to shareholders."
United Methodists need not despair at this turn of events, because two church units will hold webinars on issues around renewable energy.
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United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) will hold its monthly online gathering, JustEnergy4All, on Wednesday, August 17, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET. This month's topic is part 2 of "energy democracy."
Speaking on the movement for 100% renewable energy in Alabama will be the Rev. Michael Malcom, executive director of Alabama Interfaith Power and Light and founder of The People’s Justice Council. Dominic Chacon, recruitment fellow with PowerShift Network and community organizer in El Paso, TX, and Ilka Vega, UWF's new executive for economic and environmental justice, will talk about intersectional mobilizing at the Texas border. Carol Tiller, Indiana Conference UWF's social action coordinator, will share about members' energy efforts in her state. Elizabeth Chun Hye Lee, UWF's director of mobilization and advocacy, will moderate. Register here.
Renewable Energy Summit
Come September, the Northern Illinois Conference's Eco-Sustainability Task Force will host a Renewable Energy Summit on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both online via Zoom and in-person at Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S Euclid Ave, Oak Park, IL. The event is co-sponsored by Wespath Benefits and Investments and the General Board of Global Ministries. The event is free, and lunch is included if you're able to attend in person.
The summit will offer sustainable renewable energy practices for local churches, ways to reduce individual and institutional carbon footprints and a report on the United Methodist Interagency Just and Equitable Net-Zero Commitment. The Rev. Jenny Phillips, senior technical advisor for environmental sustainability at Global Ministries, and Jake Barnett, Wespath Benefits and Investments, will give presentations.
Find out more and register at umcnic.org/calendar/renewable-energy-summit
'Faith Talks' to honor workers
In advance of Labor Day, United Women in Faith's bimonthly "Faith Talks" podcast hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer will feature "Honoring Workers," Aug. 18, 2 pm. EDT.
"The past few years have brought challenge and pain for working people in the United States," says "Faith Talks" announcement. "Women were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with many forced to balance work and child-rearing. Consequently, a number of women left the labor market during the pandemic, and others struggled to work part-time, work full-time and assist children who were mostly learning from home. But that’s not all.
"Last fall, there were so many strikes or threats of strikes that October was referred to as Striketober. From Amazon to Starbucks to Apple to major health systems, workers across the nation grew tired of laboring under unsafe working conditions or without wages that allowed them to care for themselves and their families. Many responded by fighting for the right to collectively bargain. These workers sought safety and security on the job, but also a strong voice for themselves and the people they serve."
Ms. Farmer's guests will be:
- Neha Misra who represents the Solidarity Center in the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking
- Jennifer (JJ) Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Global Labor Justice – International Labor Rights Forum
- Shannon Lederer, Director of Immigration Policy, AFL-CIO
Click to Register for Faith Talks
Media Mentions as of Aug. 15, 2022
Local churches disaffiliate from UMC because of LGBTQ views - The Newnan Times-Herald
Overturning Roe wasn't a win for faith. Kansas was. - Religion News Service
Synagogue of judge who approved Trump's search warrant cancels Shabbat service – Religion News Service
Rev. Malone Dodson, key figure for Georgia Methodists, dies at 85 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shirley Drake Byers, longtime United Methodist lay leader and activist, dies at 96. – Albany Times Union
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Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. This column is part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, an international collaboration among 500-plus news outlets committed to enhanced reporting on the global climate crisis. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email Insight for permission.