In this age of increased polarization there seems to be one issue that at least draws younger people – Millennials – together: climate change. Perhaps it is due to a deeper reliance on scientific evidence, perhaps to a deeper fear of the future, but it seems that concern about hotter summers and more violent storms, not to mention rising sea levels have taken hold of younger people.
Even across party lines, Republican and Democrat, Millennials are more likely to engage in collective action. Political differences are more pronounced among older people. Religious belief plays an important role here. Although Millennials tend to be less religious and live in wealthier counties that consume more, they also realize that their future is tied up with the changing climate.
We need to realize that although climate impacts the weather, there is a difference. Last February a political cartoon had a picture of a polar bear on a shrinking ice floe saying about a climate denier,” First I’m going to explain the difference between climate and weather, and then I’m going to eat him.”
Prayer for the Day
Let all the earth bless God, Creator and Sustainer of life.
Let all that grows from the earth, forest and plain, give praise.
Let the rivers and springs and all who dwell therein, sing to God.
Let the sound of the dolphins and the leviathan resonate with song.
Let the bellow of frogs and toads join in their praise.
Let all peoples of the earth praise God by sustaining the creation.
In the name of him who gives us life in God,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
People of conscience need to break their ties with corporations financing the injustice of climate change.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anglican church of South Africa
Mother Nature – militarized, fenced in, poisoned – demands that we take action.
Berta Caceres, Honduran environmental activist, murdered March 3, 2016
With awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O rescuing God
Refuge of all the earth’s ends and far-flung seas
Who sets the mountains firm in power – God is girded in might –
Who quiets the roar of the seas, the roar of the waves and the tumult of nations
Psalm 65: 5-7