Our favorite United Methodist climate advocate, Bill McKibben, opened his Nov. 19 post "It's So Hot" on "The Crucial Years" blog with this observation:
"Yesterday, Nov. 18, 2023, the planet’s temperature went past the 2.0 degree Celsius barrier for the first time. It’s temporary—but it’s a terrible reminder that we’re now in the desperate end game for global warming. And yet no one noticed because—unavoidably—the world’s attention is riveted on the horrors in Gaza."
Well, some media noticed, such as The Washington Post and Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). The latter took note thus:
"Scott Dance at The Washington Post reports that on Friday, global temperatures briefly averaged more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the historic norm from before humans started consuming fossil fuels. Global temperatures have to surpass the 2-degree benchmark for a much longer time frame before scientists consider it breached, but say it is predictive nonetheless. Prior to this weekend, scientists said 2023 was virtually certain to surpass 2016 as the globe’s warmest on record. PRRI finds that Americans’ views on the urgency of climate change have remained about the same over the past decade, with just over one-quarter of Americans (27%) saying that climate change is a crisis, just a few percentage points up from 23% in 2014."
Friends, it's enough to make a creation care advocate chew mud and spit.
Even Insight's own sponsoring congregation, St. Stephen UMC in Mesquite, Texas, known for its progressive theology and social justice ministry, couldn't muster enough of an adult Sunday school class to study Katharine Hayhoe's excellent book, "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World."
McKibben on WCC Initiative
United Methodist Bill McKibben, considered to be one of the "godfathers" of today's creation justice movement, introduces the World Council of Churches initiative on climate funding. (UM Insight Screengrab)
McKibben (at right) says our collective disinclination to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis stems from our fixation on war and violence, to wit, the Israel-Hamas war. Bill writes:
"Each day on this earth climate change is the most important thing that happens. But each day these fights stretch on is another day we don’t remember that; another day when, mesmerized by the blood and injustice, we focus instead on the deep, sick attraction of war. It’s impossible to look away; our humanness is defined in part by the short-term fascination with the violent and sad. Human nature has been conditioned by long experience to see the real fights as the ones between humans—that’s what Scripture is about, and history, and drama, with the natural world forming a backdrop. But quite suddenly that backdrop needs to be the foreground; the most essential fight on earth right now is between people and physics."
Here's a start: buy everything used
The Washington Post's Climate Coach Michael J. Coren says one sure way to stem the tide of excess stuff – and probably save money and be more grateful in the process – is to buy everything used. Here's his column on the topic – which he recycled for this Thanksgiving.
Faith Pavilion at UN climate conference
Faith-based organizations will play a more prominent role at this year's UN climate conference known as COP28. Here's the news on the United Nations Environmental Program's plan for a Faith Pavilion at the global meeting that starts Nov. 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
"At this year’s COP28 in Dubai, UNEP Faith for Earth and its partners have formed a strategic partnership with other FBOs and global initiatives to host a first-of-its-kind Faith Pavilion (The Interfaith Coordination Group on Climate Change). This presence at the international climate negotiations will provide a unique opportunity for dialogue, capacity building, information sharing, and engagement with key stakeholders including civil society actors, negotiators, and political decision makers.
"The first ever Faith Pavilion at a World Climate Conference is hosted by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and a diverse coalition of global partners including the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, the Episcopal Diocese of California, the Peace Department, the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD), and over 50 faith organizations.
"Pope Francis plans to come to the Faith Pavilion for an inaugural session on December 3, 2023.
"Situated at the heart of COP28, adjacent to the World Climate Action Summit and negotiations zones, the Faith Pavilion hosts more than 65 sessions. They bring together religious and other civil society representatives, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, youth, and political leaders. The Pavilion symbolizes global and multifaith collaboration in addressing the human-made climate emergency.
"It facilitates intergenerational dialogue, furthers the role of religion and spirituality in the climate movement, and advocated for long-term, holistic solutions to protect the Earth and its climate.
"The Pavilion provides a unique opportunity for faith-based engagement with key stakeholders, including political delegations, decision makers, negotiators, and business leaders to ensure swift and effective climate action.
Insight will rely on reports from the United Methodist delegation to COP28 along with other faith-based advocates for coverage of COP28.
Media Mentions as of Nov. 21, 2023
United Methodists & Conservative Denomination Dialogue Across Lines - Julie Roys
Hundreds more US United Methodist congregations disaffiliate amid LGBTQ+ tensions – The Guardian
261 Georgia congregations leave the United Methodist Church because it's not anti-LGBTQ+ enough – LGBTQ Nation
As membership declines, Portland churches see money and ministry in affordable housing – Oregon Public Broadcasting
Volunteers provide Helping Hands | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Spirit of Grace votes to become inclusive to LGBTQ+ community members, work for racial equity – Columbia Gorge News
Faith Communities in the Midst of the Dream: The Time is Now - Kentucky Conference
Alabama Supreme Court to review Dothan's Harvest Church lawsuit as UMC disaffiliation continues – Yellowhammer News
Congregants take church to court over homosexuality - The Herald
Despite Wars, Peace and Unity Demonstrated at Wayne Interfaith Thanksgiving Service – TAPinto
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An award-winning religion journalist who has reported on The United Methodist Church at all levels for 35 years, Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, an online journal she founded in 2011. "Crisis Watch" forms part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, an international collaboration of 600-plus news outlets around the world committed to enhanced climate coverage, focusing especially on solutions. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email Insight for permission.