Learn More: Climate Change

About the Issue

We have been hearing a lot about threats to the environment. Is this merely the opinion of environmental fanatics or is our world facing real crises? There are enough pressing social problems to keep me busy for a lifetime. What good does it do to worry about the environment? It is understandable that people react this way. But Christians cannot ignore the prospect that the environment is being seriously harmed by our industrial/consumer way of life.

We are only now coming to recognize many of the ways our industrial/consumer society is harming the earth and its people. One of the most challenging is the rise in the earth’s temperature because gases that trap heat are being added to the atmosphere by human activity. Its effects are delayed. It is irreversible on a human time scale. Everything on earth will be affected in ways that cannot be known until they happen. The only way to slow this is to stop adding more heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. This won’t happen unless we all resolve to act together, in our personal lives, in our local communities, and in the global community.

Our Resources and Links

NCC worked with the ecumenical community and delivered 10,000 comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on June 25 asking for a strong rule limiting carbon pollution.
Click here for faith-based educational resources and denominational statements. Learn how climate change will impact communities in poverty and other vulnerable populations by utilizing faith-based educational resources.
Children are especially vulnerable to changes in the surrounding environment Click here to download a fact sheet on how climate change impacts children and learn more.
As the sea levels rise due to the melting, marginalized communities along the coast are disappearing. Click here to learn about the Carteret Islands in Papua New Guinea. Click here for more information on Glacial melting
Climate Change could push price of staple foods up 130%, says a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute.
NOAA: May 2010 Global Temperature is Warmest on Record and Spring and January-May also post record breaking temperatures - Click here to read More.
Want to learn about the importance of rainforests click here for more information.
Click here to read the ecumenical recommendations for COP 17 in Durban, South Africa.
Scientists says more snow storms happen in warm years. Click here to read more.
Darfur is just one example of many “climate conflicts.” In order to break the cycle of conflict and work towards peace and stewardship of God's Earth, the impact of climate change must be addressed. Click here to read an article in the Washington Post about how the conflict in Darfur relates to climate change.
Women around the world disproportionately bear the burdens of climate change. Click here to access the site for the Global Gender and Climate Alliance.
The United Nations' Women Watch site has information on gender equality and climate change. And for even more information read content from the United Nations Summit "Gender and Climate Change Research: Gaps and Questions"
Read Oxfam America's facts sheet that geographically maps the impacts of climate change on women.
Climate change has already begun to affect agricultural production and, consequently, women’s livelihoods and their ability to support the nutritional needs of their families. Read the full article here.
Click here to find out about the international climate negotiations process, read various perspectives on the Copenhagen Accord, and lean more about what happened in Mexico.
The National Academy of Sciences provides expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.
Union of Concerned Scientists is a reliable source for independent scientific analysis.
Climate Solutions has pioneered the vision and cultivated political leadership in the Northwest for the proposition that clean energy and broadly-shared economic prosperity can go hand-in-hand.

Worship Resources

Worship Resources are a great way to teach about God's Creation and Climate Change. From Liturgy to Hymns to Sermon Starters, learn how to incorporate climate justice into your worship services.
Take a look at our liturgy materials. Click here for liturgy from our 2008 Earth Day Resource, "The Poverty of Global Climate Change". Click here for additional climate liturgy.
Climate and Children: Click here for worship materials.
Click here for Prayers on Caring for creation.

For More Information Contact:

Eco-Justice Program Office
National Council of Churches
110 Maryland Ave., NE
Suite 108
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 544-2350
info@ncccusa.org