- John Rutter
This is the penultimate installment in the series the Eightfold Path of Environmental Action. This series offers helpful information and tips related to climate change and the environment. It is a companion to The Seed, a short film that was launched at the end of the Season of Creation on October 4, 2020.
How do we stay focused on climate change and ecological degradation? Even though these are arguably the most important global problems humans have ever faced we have not done and are not doing anywhere near enough. If we are to be honest with ourselves we must acknowledge that we are not heeding the call to be good stewards of creation. As explained in an Anglican Journal article we are facing record-breaking temperatures, melting polar icecaps and an entire continent literally on fire.
Most of us deal with a range of issues and distractions in our day to day life and this makes it easy to lose focus. However, there are a few things we can do to ensure that we prioritize creation care and every faith tradition offers a plethora of reasons why we must do so.
In the Anglican tradition caring for creation is at the core of our faith. To remain focused we can remind ourselves of the Fifth Mark of Mission which calls us "to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew life on the earth".
We can also listen to the words of Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. She has repeatedly called on the church to take action on climate change, calling stewardship of the earth and the care of creation, "a core responsibility of our faith." She asks, "how do we proclaim that vision of creation as a gift of God that we are called to steward and that we should be at the very forefront of those that are fighting for it?" Primate Nicholls calls us to green our churches and live more sustainably.
However, staying focused on creation is not only about our own efforts or even the greening of our churches, it is about encouraging governments and other institutions to develop and implement environmentally sustainable policies. According to PWSEJ director Ryan Weston, acting on the personal or congregational level is insignificant on its own. Weston supports theological reflections on stewardship and promotes the advocacy tools and resources produced by Creation Matters.
As reflected by the climate-related motions carried at the last General Synod Anglicans are increasingly focused on creation care. Resolution C003, commits the General Synod to recognize, on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada, that there is a global climate emergency; to encourage Anglicans to prioritize the baptismal covenant and fifth Mark of Mission (To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth); to seek collaboration with other Canadian faith communities to "strengthen our voice on climate change". The Anglican Church of Canada is responding to climate change on an ecumenical and interfaith basis. Networking is a major priority for Creation Matters and as part of that effort, the church is working towards coordinated action through its membership in organizations such as KAIROS Canada, Citizens for Public Justice, the Canadian Council of Churches and the Anglican Communion Environmental Network.
Our focus may be strengthened by the realization that what is at stake is both the future of the church but the future of life on this planet. Youth delegate Brynne Blaikie, who first brought Resolution C003 forward at General Synod, says addressing the climate emergency is an obligation for all who live and depend on the earth and she added it may also determine the future of the church. "One of the biggest problems the Anglican Church faces is a decreasing number of young people in worship," Blaikie says. "Some young people do not feel any connection to faith communities. I believe one of the biggest ways to connect with younger generations is showing support for what they find important. Now is the time to actively make the life of the earth a priority in our faith."
Another way of staying focused is remembering that we owe this to our children and grandchildren. As explained by Creation Matters, co-chair Nancy Harvey, "I have grandchildren and really, really worry about the future for them," Harvey says.
Simply spending time in nature may also help to remind us why we must prioritize these issues. The beauty of God's creation benefits us spiritually, psychologically and physically. By understanding these benefits we are more likely to take care of it. We are dependent on nature and how we treat God's creation reflects on us and our faith.
Deborah Barretto, director of Resources for Mission, shares the view that the church needs to prioritize climate action and she hopes her department can help. "We have to change people’s ways of doing things nationally, but also globally," Barretto says. "I think if we can play a part in that, that’s important…. But I still think we have a long way to go in making people aware of what needs to be done." We are faced with a stark choice we can either heed Barretto's message and focus on creation care or we can augur ruin on a planetary scale.
Click here to see the SEC's short film The Seed.
Related
Introducing the SEC's Eightfold Path of Environmental Action
Right Understanding: Knowing the facts about climate change
Right Thought: How we think about the natural world
Right Speech: Effective environmental communications
Right Action: Making smaller footprints
Right Works: Efforts that benefit the planet
Right Effort: Choosing a cause
Right Concentration: Staying focused on creation
Right Mindfulness: Managing ecological stress
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