Many of us in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—which has had decades of policy and theology that affirm our calling and responsibility to care for God’s creation—are reeling from the new administration’s attack on environmental and climate change commitments. It hasn’t even been two full months since this new administration came into power, and we’ve been inundated by a myriad of policies and executive orders that have renewed national efforts to increase oil and gas production and logging while decreasing protections for communities most impacted by environmental racism. These policies have also resulted in increasing inequities in environmental health and safety standards, and decimating staffing within organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And the staffing that remains has announced plans to rescind more than two dozen protections against air and water pollution.
In the face of all this, we are reminded of Hebrews 10: 39, and the encouragement that “we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith…” Just as Presbyterians reaffirm their baptismal vows, as a practice to reinforce their commitment to faith, community, ongoing grace and new life received through baptism, now more than ever it is important to reaffirm as Presbyterians where we stand on matters of environmental justice.
The PC(USA) recognizes, as former Acting Stated Clerk Bronwen Boswell reminded us, “that while we are called to tirelessly work towards caring for, protecting, and preserving our shared planet our lives often prioritize consumption and convenience over care and sustainability for Creation.
Our actions, inactions, and indifference contribute to the planet's rising temperatures. Our dependence on technology, essential minerals, and energy leads to harmful extractive practices, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and the treatment of our planet as a commodity rather than a precious gift from God.
As a denomination we have committed ourselves to advocating for policies and practices that address the root causes of climate change and promote environmental justice for all Creation- including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, standing with communities impacted by environmental racism, oppression, or extractive industries, and promoting sustainable and equitable development.” [1]
Recent decisions by the United States administration severely limits the ability of organizations around the world to continue to provide life-saving assistance in the face of climate related disasters and impedes access to collecting and utilizing the data that climate scientists use to track changes in weather patterns over time and unfavorable living conditions.
We acknowledge the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, both locally and globally, despite the current Presidential denial that it even exists. Indigenous peoples, low-income communities, people of color, and future generations are among those most severely affected by environmental degradation and climate disruption. Political agendas that gut basic environmental protections are fundamentally at odds with the moral duty people of faith have to care for all of those on the margins facing systemic injustices.
Scripture reminds us to be caretakers of God's Creation and to care for the least among us. Jesus identifies with the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and imprisoned, urging Christ’s followers to care for these…as they would care for him (Matthew 25:34-41).
In 2025, 362 PC(USA) congregations were certified as Earth Care Congregations in affirmation of their ongoing commitments to being these caretakers of the environment. As these congregations certify over the years, the earth care ethic becomes ingrained in a congregation’s culture, spreads to the surrounding community, and encourages changes in the personal lives of individual church members. These churches are a vital part of the denominations work in the world and are unrivaled witnesses to caring for God’s creation.
The General Assemblies of the PC(USA) and its predecessor denominations have spoken to our responsibility to care for God’s Creation and be mindful of our use of natural resources since the 1950s. Since then, the PC(USA) has demonstrated our care for God’s Creation and our responsibility to the Earth and all its people through countless policy statements. The 202nd General Assembly (1990) through the "Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice" policy affirmed ecology and justice work as imperative to our faith.
The PC(USA), along with over 50 faith organizations, supports the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty advocating for a fossil fuel-free future, representing a faithful step forward in limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. The PC(USA) has also joined nearly 4000 other signatories from faith communities, businesses, local governments and universities in signing the We Are Still In declaration to demonstrate America’s enduring commitment to delivering on the promise of the Paris Agreement and America’s contribution to it.
In our pursuit of environmental justice, we are called to engage in dialogue, education, and advocacy within our congregations, communities, and governments. In the face of actions and policy that undermine our values, may we continue to be guided by principles of love, compassion, and justice as we seek to fulfill our calling to be faithful stewards of God's gift of Creation.
[1] https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2024/4/22/earth-day-2024
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