March 2017 Creation Corner Column
Climate Caretakers: Biblical, Scientific, Business
"The Good News is a 'lamp shining in a dark place.'"
John Elwood, of Climate Caretakers, combines biblical, scientific, and business approaches in his monthly Evangelical blog, www.BelovedPlanet.com ,
now in its 7th year. It reflects his "hearing the gospel's call to
care for an injured planet" as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in
America.
Covering such themes of faith, science, and justice, his resources list includes 24 on-line, 42 books and 5 videos.
Tracking CO2, now at over 400 ppm, is Earth's CO2 home page, https://www.co2.earth.
The https://www.desmogblog.com is
about the global warming misinformation campaign, and tries to clear
the public relations pollution that clouds climate science.
Other recommended sites include Climate Progress, Skeptical Science, the U.S. Drought Monitor, EcoWatch, 350.org, etc.
Following Elwood's "Action" suggestions, one finds www.theRE100.org.
It notes what corporations do to reduce carbon emissions by pledging to
use 100% renewable energy resources. The private sector uses 1/2 of
the world's electric consumption, and some of the most influential
companies' pledges come from Walmart, P&G, Nike, Nestle, Microsoft,
GM, Google, FB, Johnson & Johnson, Starbucks, etc.
www.TheRE100.org is brought to us by www.TheClimateGroup.org. It works with businesses, governments, NGOs, etc., and the Carbon Disclosure Project (https://www.cdp.net/en) that motivates companies and cities to disclose their environmental impact, thus helping to drive sustainable economics.
Both of these are members on the www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org, urging 100s of investors and businesses to create a low carbon revolution.
One Coalition member, The B Team,
goes beyond Plan A ("business as usual") to Plan B, for transparency
and anti-corruption. "B" corporations are conscientious, not just for
sustainability and minimizing harm, but also for maximizing their
positive impact. Thus, people using business as a force for good.
There is a news-stand magazine, "B", www.bthechange.com and BestForTheWorld http://bftw.bthechange.com/ web sites.
Another Coalition member, www.ceres.org,
works with advocates, investors and companies to integrate
environmental and social considerations into business decision-making,
the goal being sustainable prosperity.
"All
of my creation is an effort to weave a web of connection with the
world. I am always weaving it because it was once broken." Anais Nin
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This blog, seen at www.LutheransRestoringCreation.org began in March 2011, 6 years ago. It originates with the newsletter of
the Williamsport PA based United Churches of Lycoming County (UCLC) (www.uclc.org), where it began in 1997.
The
UCLC is a 70-year old ecumenical body partnering with 180
congregations, engaged in ministries such as the Shepherd of the Street,
Food Pantry, Campus Ministry, Fuel Bank, Devotion Line, newspaper
sermons, broadcasting, institutional worship services (825+), social
concerns advocacy, monthly print and on-line newsletter, interfaith
outreach dialogue network, community ministeriums cooperative services,
etc.
Its
director is Baptist minister Rev. Gwen N. Bernstine. The late Lutheran
pastor Rev. Dr. Alton Motter (d. Aug. 5, 2003 at age 95), author of Ecumenism 101: A Handbook about the Ecumenical Movement, and other titles, was her predecessor.
