Global Warming Is a Moral Value, Too

By Sally Bingham

[O]ur nation has fallen far behind on what is possibly the greatest moral challenge of our time: global warming. It threatens all aspects of life, from habitat for species to human health. And as a result, the poor nations of the world and the poorer neighborhoods in industrialized countries will be victims of a disproportionate amount of pain and suffering.

There are many moral challenges facing the U.S. and the world. Yet as the world's superpower and largest economy, our nation has fallen far behind on what is possibly the greatest moral challenge of our time: global warming. It threatens all aspects of life, from habitat for species to human health. And as a result, the poor nations of the world and the poorer neighborhoods in industrialized countries will be victims of a disproportionate amount of pain and suffering. This is where true moral values need to be reflected.

The founding fathers and first citizens of this nation formed a democracy based on strong moral values. Those values, which were founded in religious faith, included an acceptance of slavery and the idea that only men should have the right to vote. These things seem immoral, if not outright sinful, to us today. This doesn't mean our founding fathers were “bad men” as opposed to “good men,” but they reflected the social norms of the time. What may seem moral at one time in history can be viewed as immoral today.

Through introspection, open dialogue, and activism, self-interest can give way to wisdom. Serious self-reflection and discernment of controversial issues can help shift what once was accepted behavior to a more just and fair conclusion that benefits the common good. The loudest moral voice for transformation has traditionally come from people of faith. We inspire social change. In light of the latest science on global warming, we must reflect on the balance between self-interest and the common good.

What many of us find disturbing in the latest discussion of “moral values” is the simplistic notion that values have only to do with two issues: same-sex relationships and abortion. We hope that we are not alone in saying that the values most Christians aspire to are justice, peace, love, honesty and the integrity of creation. These are the values Jesus taught, along with inclusion, not exclusion; acceptance, not discrimination. Where have those values gone?

How did “political values” get confused with “religious values?” The way we treat each other, the way we live our lives and the kind of environment we leave to our children are the real moral values. When and where did Jesus teach us to ignore the plight of the worldwide community?

While global warming is an international issue, it is a particular moral challenge for Americans because we create 25 percent of the destructive gases causing the temperature to rise. We are, however, only 5 percent of the world's population. Without our concerted effort to address this, there is little hope it can be solved. Every one of us in the U.S. contributes to this problem. We pollute, but we ask environmental organizations to clean up after us and solve our problems. It is time for every segment of our culture to integrate care for creation into its policies.

Nowhere does it belong more firmly planted than in the foundation of Christianity. All things were created through the Word and all things will be reconciled to God through the Word. Christians are called to be stewards of all that God created and called “good.” It is our responsibility and we challenge the faith community to “a religious response to global warming.”

Although it may be expressed differently, every faith has a mandate to serve one another and care for creation. Taking care of our land, air and water was left out of the recent presidential debate. It was left out of the “values” discussion, yet it affects every living thing. We propose that as the faith community redefines values over the next four years we integrate care for creation into our agenda. It is increasingly clear that how we respond will decide the future of the human race. It is the most moral value facing us all.

The Rev. Sally Grover Bingham is executive director of The Regeneration Project and its affiliated program, Interfaith Power & Light, in San Francisco, Calif. She may be reached by email at ecosal@aol.com.