United Methodists' Virtual Earth Day Events Have Long-Term Goals

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In the midst of a global coronavirus pandemic, barely two days after the bottom dropped out of the fossil fuel industry that environmentalists resist, United Methodists will be among millions of people worldwide who seize the 50th anniversary of Earth Day to build momentum for policy changes to repair and renew a dying planet and save the human species from extinction.

Events couldn’t have converged better to highlight the urgency of the April 22 event. With coronavirus quarantines in nearly every country, thousands of United Methodists are off work or out of jobs entirely. More job losses loom as the worldwide fossil fuel industry reels from the April 20 crash of its value, when the price of crude oil per barrel fell into negative numbers. The combined crises have served to lay bare what environmental activists, including many in The United Methodist Church, have stressed for decades: burning fossil fuels for more than 150 years has produced a global environment of economic injustice, human sickness, and the destruction of Earth.

Where in years past United Methodist have joined massive demonstrations pushing for policy changes, this year Earth Day observances will be marked by “virtual” gatherings over the internet. From South Carolina Conference’s online gathering which replaces a demonstration at the state capital, to a three-day monster event with United Methodist roots, motivation to reverse the climate crisis will dominate April 22-25.

This year’s virtual events have been preceded by some hoped-for news from Wespath Benefits and Investments, the United Methodist pension, insurance, and retirement benefits agency. According to a press release, Wespath has become the 22nd member of the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance. “The alliance is a group of pension funds and insurers that pursue investment strategies to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” says the release. The announcement represents considerable economic and political clout toward reversing climate change, since Wespath manages some $25 billion in assets for around 100,000 United Methodists, making it the largest single non-profit investment fund in the world. Read Wespath’s press release or watch a video announcement.

Here are some ways in which United Methodists worldwide can participate in Earth Day online.

United Methodist Women

True to its 152-year history of advocating for the welfare of women and children, United Methodist Women have pursued various forms of climate justice for decades. For Earth Day 2020, UMW proposes five multifaceted steps in its Call to Action. Among some of the organization’s suggestions posted on its website:

  • Join United Methodist Women’s Just Energy for All 101 three-part webinar series on April 23, May 7 and May 21, and learn more about the campaign. Register here.
  • Contact members of Congress and urge them to implement a moratorium on water and utility shutoffs.
  • Join United Methodist Women in its third letter-writing campaign to the CEO of Chevron, urging the company to take greater action in reducing its emissions of methane, a harmful pollutant. Urge Chevron to #CutMethane waste .

General Board of Global Ministries

The worldwide missions board of The United Methodist Church will mark Earth Day 2020 by launching its new Global Ministries Creation Care Network. The online network intends to “connect United Methodist Creation Care leaders locally and globally to share ideas, resources and support for environmental ministries.” Joining the network will allow participants access to a “creation care resource library, affinity groups, topical discussion forums, event listings and more,” according to an April 20 press release.

Global Ministries also will host several opportunities for United Methodists “to ground themselves in creation and cultivate community,” including:

  • A “Resurrection Photo Challenge” inviting participants to share photos of signs of new life in God’s creation;
  • “Energy Boost” online events on April 22 and 24 that ignite quick, one-on-one chats with creation care champions;
  • A webinar on “Grief, COVID and Climate” on April 29 with the Rev. Jenny Phillips, senior technical advisor for Environmental Sustainability at Global Ministries.

In the press release, Rev. Phillips says: “God’s creation is a source of grounding and sustenance as we wait at the intersection of pandemic grief and resurrection hope. There is solace and strength to be found in The United Methodist Church’s creation care community. It is filled with wise United Methodists who know a good deal about cultivating fortitude in the face of a global crisis.”

General Board of Church and Society

The social action arm of The United Methodist Church will mark Earth Day 2020 with an online worship service, “’Fierce Urgency of Now:’ A Prophetic Call to Climate Justice.” The theme echoes the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who wrote of the “fierce urgency of now” in regard to civil rights in the 1960s. The service will take place April 22 from noon to 1 p.m. (EDT). Click here to register.

Church & Society will extend its climate justice efforts a few days later on April 27 by participating in an online version of the annual visit to the U.S. Congress. Together with social justice advocates from other denominations, United Methodists will hold “Ecumenical Advocacy Days Online: Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored.” The Zoom webinar will take the place of the typical in-person congressional visits of past Advocacy Days. Instead, participants will “prepare to take action online with members of Congress.” Click here to register.

“Together, we will call on Congress to address the intersections between climate justice and the current global health crisis,” says the online invitation.

Earth Day Live

Now for the really big show – Earth Day Live, three days of online inspiration, instruction and climate justice advocacy sponsored by 350.org. The climate advocacy organization founded by United Methodist environmentalist Bill McKibben, author of the book, “The End of Nature,” plans a massive agenda April 22-24. Though not officially United Methodist (although Professor McKibben is still on the 350.org board of directors), the event has gathered support from United Methodists at all levels of the denomination.

In an email invitation, 350.org’s regional campaign coordinator Emily Southard states:

“The coronavirus has laid bare the brutality and injustice of our current economic system. Millions of people have lost their jobs, are no longer able to pay their rent, student loans, credit card bills, utilities, or healthcare costs. Now, when we need it most, we find our social safety net torn apart by corporations and right-wing politicians. 

“Normally, in response to a crisis, we take to the streets - marching, holding rallies, planning in-person actions, and so much more. We can’t do that now, but we will still organize to win.

“… On April 22-24, millions of people around the world are going online for a three-day mobilization to strike for the climate, divest from fossil fuels, and vote for a sustainable future for all. Activists, performers, influencers, and thought leaders are coming together to host this digital event full of teach-ins, performances, and more.”

The agenda for Earth Day Live describes each day’s activities:

“STRIKE – Earth Day and Youth Climate Strikes: On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we will demonstrate our collective power and unity through community building and storytelling. This first day will focus on amplifying the voice of indigenous leaders and youth climate activists who are leading the movement to halt the climate crisis.

“DIVEST – Divestment and Climate Financing: Led by Stop the Money Pipeline Coalition, during this day of action we are calling for a global reset. We want to reprogram the economy so that it works for people and the planet, not polluters and politicians.

“VOTE – Voter Registration and Political Engagement: We need leaders who will address this existential threat. It’s critical for all of us to show up at the polls this year and vote for our future. So the final day will focus on the importance of voting through a nationwide youth voter registration day.”

This partial collection of online observances makes it clear that never before have United Methodists been able to do so much for solving the world’s environmental crisis simply by staying home and joining virtual events.

This story is a part of Covering Climate Now’s week of coverage focused on Climate Solutions, to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Covering Climate Now is a global journalism collaboration committed to strengthening coverage of the climate story.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.