MFSA Urges Support for Hot Farm Workers Summer Campaign

Crisis Watch June 7, 2022

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A United Methodist Insight Column

Ever think about who picks the food that you buy at the grocery store? Ever think about farm workers picking crops in this year's excessive heat?

Methodist Federation for Social Action has issued a call for United Methodists to join in the Hot Farm Workers Summer Campaign sponsored by the United Farm Workers Foundation. MFSA's newsletter says:

"Farm workers are on the frontlines of climate change. In fact, they are 30x more likely to suffer from heat death than any other civilian occupation. With temperatures reaching over 90 degrees,  join the UFW Foundation in increasing awareness on the impact of climate change on farm worker communities. This #HotFarmWorkerSummer, help us ensure that everyone remembers that the farm workers who feed every American household are working in extreme heat caused by climate change. Only a few states have temporary heat protections in place.

"Take the Sí Se Puede Pledge and stand alongside millions of farmworkers to stop worker exploitation, stop the use of dangerous pesticides, establish a national heat safety standard, bring better wages and overtime to farmworkers, and fight for citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States."

Think about farmworkers the next time you bite into a sweet slice of cold watermelon this summer.

Time is running out on climate change

The opening of The Guardian's most recent "Down to Earth" newsletter by Oliver Milman, headlined "The Supreme Court has left the US with no plan for the climate crisis," sketches out a treacherous summer:

"In mid-June, a ferocious 'heat dome' brought roasting temperatures to much of the US, placing around a third of Americans under hazardous-heat warnings. It came soon after a record heatwave in India so brutal birds fell from the sky. Floods, meanwhile, have been the worst in a century in Bangladesh and so fierce in America’s Yellowstone national park that entire bridges and buildings were washed away."

"Down to Earth" links to a Guardian story, "‘Perfect storm’ of crises is widening global inequality, says UN chief," which quotes United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres worried about the increasing convergence of crises affecting the climate crisis.

“Inequalities are still growing inside countries, but they are now growing in a morally unacceptable way between north and south and this is creating a divide which can be very dangerous from the point of view of peace and security.

“What is worrying is we are living in a perfect storm. Because all crises are contributing to the dramatic increase in inequality in the world and to a serious deterioration in living conditions of the most vulnerable populations."

The only bright spot in the gloom comes from young people, whom Guterres said are "engaged" in seeking solutions to the climate crisis.

“Young people are engaged," the general secretary said. "We see more and more cities, more and more civil society and even more areas of the private sector that are engaged. Governments are now becoming probably the entities that are moving more slowly.”

So, despite what the U.S. Supreme Court did to the Environmental Protection Agency by stripping away its power to regulate carbon emissions that cause climate crisis, United Methodist activists can still make a difference by supporting public and private environmental initiatives at the local, state, and regional levels.

The Guardian reports: "The UN secretary general has called on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries to phase out all coal plants by 2030 and other countries by 2040." Wonder how the "Supremes" will take to that warning?

International criticism of EPA decision

In another article, "Global dismay as Supreme Court ruling leaves Biden’s climate policy in tatters," Oliver Milman cites denunciations from international leaders. We most appreciate this quote:

"The decision 'flies in the face of established science and will set back the US’s commitment to keep global temperature below 1.5C,' said Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh, in reference to the internationally agreed goal to limit global heating before it becomes truly catastrophic, manifesting in more severe heatwaves, floods, droughts and societal unrest.

“'The people who will pay the price for this will be the most vulnerable communities in the most vulnerable developing countries in the world,' Huq added."

United Women in Faith back climate, racial justice bills

The July newsletter of United Women in Faith highlights opportunities for United Methodists to support federal legislation addressing racial justice and sustainable energy. The newsletter says:

"United Women in Faith joins Nollie Jenkins Family Center, the Mississippi Coalition to End Corporal Punishment, the Dignity in Schools Campaign and other organizations across the country to urge passage of the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act of 2021 (S 2029 and HR 3836). E-mail your senators and representatives today encouraging them to cosponsor this crucial legislation.

"United Women in Faith also advocates for sustainable energy established through a just transition. Join us in asking the Department of Interior to update the Mining Law of 1872. The science is clear: transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy is critical to protecting God's creation. Mining processes have significant environmental consequences, particularly placing Native American sovereignty, sacred sites, water, and health at risk. Learn more, and submit your public comment."

See also these recent statements from UWF (formerly United Methodist Women):

United Women in Faith is concerned about women's and girls' lives as the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

United Women in Faith opposes the U.S. Supreme Court EPA ruling.

A message on gun violence from General Secretary Harriett Jane Olson.

Media Mentions as of July 7, 2022

Secular media were mostly quiet on United Methodist activities during this holiday week, so check out these features from UM News.

Farming ministry helps women prepare for retirement

Church leaders explore ways to help migrants in Mexico

HIV and AIDS conference encourages acceptance, not fear

Church faces obstacles to help war-displaced

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email for permission.