Yesterday I had written about some of the good things that had happened over this past year regarding the environment. I obviously hit the wrong button and erased it, so here goes. First the United States rejoined the Paris Climate Conference, important because it constitutes a commitment to mitigating global climate change for which we have a good deal of responsibility.
As a Nation we renewed our commitment to our magnificent national monuments, such as Bears’ Ears, Grand Escante Staircase, as well as others, limiting oil drilling leases that had already been signed and reinstituting roadless rules for certain wilderness areas to protect wildlife we will probably never see but are essential to our ecosystem.
In spite of certain members of Congress in the pockets of oil and gas, we have made serious commitments to solar and other forms of energy to protect future generations. We know that executive orders are probably not enough but until we free our Congress from the pollution of fossil fuels this is what the new administration is able to do.
Prayer for the Day
Seeking new direction for our lives as we come to the end of a year,
We pray you be our constant companion as we look ahead;
Often confused and troubled about the world we will give our children,
We pray you open us to new ways of thinking about the future.
Free us from a past that constrains our old ideas,
And open our imagination to possibilities and beauty
In the name of the One who liberates our minds,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thoughts for the Day
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors – we borrow it from our children.
- Attributed to Chief Seattle (1786-1866)
There must be progress, certainly, but we need to ask ourselves what kind of progress we want. … If in the name of progress, we want to destroy everything beautiful in our world, and contaminate the air we breathe and the water we drink, then we are in trouble.
-Marjory Stoneman Douglas, naturalist (1890-1998)
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard.
Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Psalm 19: 1-4