Dear editor,

“The Lord comes to judge the earth.” (Psalm 96 Antiphon, last week in the Christian year)

It’s increasingly hard for us to imagine the relationship our forebears had with the natural world.  Called to be the mindful tenders of earth, today we’ve become her thoughtless abusers.  Called to be stewards of her riches, we’ve become willful plunderers.

The day after Thanksgiving (some think in an attempt to bury it), the congressionally-mandated National Climate Assessment was released. The thousand page plus report, work of more than 300 scientists from thirteen agencies, gives a detailed account of:

 “the impact of climate change … already being felt in communities across the country. More frequent and intense extreme weather and climate-related events, as well as changes in the average climate conditions, are expected to continue to damage infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems that provide essential benefits…”

We should be thankful for the work of these scientists and for other latter-day prophets who are seeking to wake us up in time. But this report has gotten little attention. When asked about it the following Monday the president said dismissively “I’ve read some of it, it’s fine,” then added “I don’t believe it.”

What will it take for us to act for the sake of the planet and for those who will come after us?  Why can’t we take hold of this? In part, it’s that we naturally avoid facing something so dire.  And we certainly don’t want to have to change, give up what we’ve become used to.

There are more sinister things at work, too, including powerful economic interests, although the market’s response to the success of green energy has begun to mitigate these. Also, it’s easy for privileged decision makers, and for all of us who are affluent and connected, to think that somehow we’ll be okay. Inured from the worst effects of whatever happens, from the vulnerability, say, of poor New Orleans in the wake of Katrina, or Puerto Ricans in Maria.  And fundamentally, in a culture and economy so defined by materialism, so driven by “growth” and the constant acquisition of “more,” one that tends to keep us distracted and unsatisfied, it can take an unusual degree of personal insight and discipline to make different choices.

The faith tradition I am part of is observing Advent now. This is a season of waiting and watching for the coming of the promised one. For making a space, as Mary did, for the Christ to be birthed among us. Such waiting is countercultural for us. As is the hope that leans into God’s dream for the earth and the human family.

For a second week leaders from around the world are meeting in Poland to follow up on the Paris Climate Agreement.  Such concerted action is the only way to address climate change.  But the political will and accompanying changes in our lifestyles that are called for depend finally on a change in consciousness.  A new way of seeing and relating to one another and to our common home. Each of us is called to awaken and to take responsibility for preparing a way forward, finding a future worthy of the earth and her children.

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Steve Bullington

Adrian, Georgia

Former pastor for Herring Memorial UMC