NEW YORK – In response to President Joe Biden signing several executive orders pertaining to climate change and a clean energy economy, United Methodist Women Executive for Economic and Environmental Justice and Climate Justice Lead Elizabeth Chun Hye Lee today issued the following statement:
“There is no question that President Biden’s executive actions to address the climate crisis - which includes stopping all new federal oil and gas leasing, protecting 30 percent of our country’s public lands and waters, and shifting to a clean energy economy that places environmental justice at the center - are of utmost importance. As the administration works to transition to a clean energy economy, we are hopeful they will increasingly dialogue with religious groups as well as climate justice groups. Our commandment to care for God’s creation means we are just as vested in the clean energy economy as others.
“In fact, Biden’s executive orders are in line with church doctrine; the UMC Book of Resolution that states, ‘those who have historically experienced environmental racism [be] at the center of decision making and employment for a just, sustainable, healthy prosperity.’
“In addition, the UMC Book of Resolution notes, “economies that have benefited from fossil-fuel development rightly bear the responsibility to rapidly reduce emissions and support less wealthy economies in their journey toward sustainable and climate resilient development.
“The church will advocate that the U.S. avoid false energy solutions like biomass, nuclear and CCS technologies that disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous and Latino and low-wealth communities.”