Área temática: Clima y medio ambiente
As people of faith, we believe God created a bountiful world for all living creatures and organisms to inhabit—and that we demonstrate our love for our creator—and for one another—by caring for this planet. One way we seek to do this as a church is by developing regional ecojustice networks designed to strengthen ties with neighbors as we work toward conservation and sustainability.
From an advocacy perspective, we affirm creation by supporting legislation and policies that protect resources that sustain life on Earth. The Episcopal Church calls for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable energy, encourage the safe and just use of natural resources, and support communities impacted by environmental racism.
Learn more below about our areas of focus and how you can take action to advocate for creation care.
Take Action
What we’re working on
Fossil fuels and clean energy
As a church, we advocate for a full phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition to clean energy. We support policies that reduce dependence on fossil fuels and curb greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, we support initiatives to help ease the transition and economic impact for communities in fossil fuel-dependent areas. The Episcopal Church is working toward our own net carbon neutrality by 2030, and our corporate organization is fully divested from fossil fuel-related investments.
Environmental justice
In 2018, The Episcopal Church affirmed that no community—especially poor communities, those who live closest to the land in subsistence cultures, and members of marginalized racial and ethnic groups—should bear a disproportionate risk of environmental pollution or degradation. We advocate for policies that protect these populations from the disparate impact of climate change, environmental degradation, or unfair land use and pollution. One example is our longstanding support of the Gwich’in people—many of whom are Episcopalians—who have deep, sacred connections to the land known today as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. With that area under threat from oil exploration, we defend the Gwich’in nation’s right to existence and sustainability.
Resources
Land, water, and biodiversity
Caring for creation means caring for other species and recognizing their role in a healthy and flourishing ecosystem. The Episcopal Church has historically supported policies like the Endangered Species Act as a part of this call. Biodiversity loss is a major component of our changing climate, and we advocate for its protection. Nature-based solutions help reduce our carbon emissions, improve biodiversity, protect and maintain clean water, land, and air, and help local communities both nationally and internationally.
Resources
Disaster preparedness and climate resiliency
Around the world, natural disasters are becoming more severe; and communities, especially those that are marginalized or impoverished, face significant barriers to recovery. We support federal initiatives that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters such as flooding, extreme wind, and forest fires. One example is our advocacy to Congress to fully appropriate the $3 billion the U.S. has pledged to the Green Climate Fund, which supports mitigation and adaptation activities in regions of the world severely impacted by climate change.
Resources
Climate change and the United Nations
Together with The Episcopal Church’s representative to the United Nations, we advocate on the international level to address climate change. We participate in the Conference of the Parties (known as COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an annual intergovernmental meeting focused on global dialogue and action on climate issues.
Partner resources
Find additional resources below from The Episcopal Church and other organizations with whom we partner in the work of ecojustice advocacy.
- Episcopal Church Creation Care tools and resources
- U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
- The Green Climate Fund
- Creation Justice Ministries
- Faith Orgs to EPA: Don’t Abandon Us
- 15 Steps to Create Effective Climate Communications
- Let’s Talk Faith and Climate – Communication Guidance for Faith Leaders
- Mental Health and Our Changing Climate
Episcopal Church creation care calls
Join these monthly calls—at 3 p.m. ET on fourth Wednesdays—to hear from the church’s public witness and mission program teams, as well as voices from across the church, on issues related to care of creation.
Contact the Office of Government Relations
Join monthly creation care calls
3 p.m. ET, fourth Wednesdays.
Join weekly public policy network calls
1 p.m. ET on Thursdays.
