All of us have seen the appalling images and reports of the devastating flash floods in Nepal's mountains near the border with China. Over a thousand are known dead, and many more are injured or missing. Whole villages were wiped out. Experts determined that the melting and collapse of a mountain glacier were caused by climate change driven by the burning of oil, gas, and coal, mainly in industrial nations including the US, Europe, and China. As the leading user and producer of these fossil fuels over the last century, we in the US must do all we can to slow the warming of our planet and save lives in poor countries like Nepal, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Pacific islands, which are already suffering dire effects from climate change.
In 2010, UMC Bishops issued the pastoral letter GOD’S RENEWED CREATION, in which they stated: “We pledge to measure the “carbon footprint” of our episcopal and denominational offices, determine how to reduce it, and implement those changes. We will urge our congregations, schools, and ministry settings to do the same.
“We rededicate ourselves to join these movements, the movements of the Spirit...
We as UMC congregations have failed to do our part in this global effort. When we put new roofs on our churches, we often fail to take the opportunity to add solar panels to generate the power we use to heat, cool, and light our buildings. Many are planning to replace our furnaces and air conditioning units but have not committed to using heat pumps. We still drive gasoline-guzzling cars and trucks instead of hybrids or EVs.
Jesus said in Matthew:
25:44-45 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
Don’t we care about our suffering sisters and brothers and little children around the world and here in the US who will suffer and die because we and others like us in America can’t be bothered to do our part to cut back on burning oil and gas?
Let’s all pray for our sisters and brothers in Nepal and about choosing clean solar power and fuel saving options as we make choices in coming months for our churches, our homes and our transportation.
Here are some recommendations for UMC congregations. Find more at umcreationjustice.org/
Both new and old churches should have solar panels on each roof, especially when the roof is re-placed.
For assistance in planning, please contact Interfaith Power & Light at https://ipl.org to work with your church to get this done.
For example, churches in the mid-Atlantic region can read Going Solar in Your Congregation at this website:
Often, a power purchase agreement with no money down and immediate energy bill savings will appeal to your church. Others may prefer the greater long-term savings of owning solar panels outright. Grants and loans may be available for that.
Reduce fossil fuel use by replacing gas or oil HVAC systems with separate heat pumps for different areas in the church. A fellowship hall would be a great place to start. Central HVAC also works if ductwork is in place. Commercial HVAC contractors in your area can give advice. Further, for a church, ground-loop HVAC is an option. Consult your state and local governments for assistance and funding opportunities. See this local example at the Montgomery County Green Bank website:
When vehicles need replacing, choose hybrids or EVs. This improves local air quality and slows climate change.
Richard F. Gillum is a professor of medicine and an epidemiology researcher at Howard University in Washington, D.C., United States. His research interests are Family Medicine, Community Medicine, and Epidemiology.