A publication of the INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 Kenosis, Climate Change & Christianity by Sallie McFague, Ph.D. one wants to face this fact; changing from a gas-guzzling car to a hybrid is not enough—we may have to reconsider the hen people ask me what I do and I answer that use of automobiles, PERIOD. I am a theologian who investigates the connec- The statement from theState of the World advising “re- tions of religion with economics and ecology, ducing and even eliminating” the use of cars and airplanes Wthey often give me a funny look. What does “religion” have causes a global gasp. Surely not. The shock, however, causes to do with financial and environmental matters? Money and us to realize how far we have to go in both our attitudes and the earth have not figured large in many Westerners’ under- practices. We human beings are so embedded in the culture standing of religion. of consumerism that asking us to curb consumerism—let But times have changed. The 2010 edition of State of the alone eliminate precious forms of it—is like asking us to stop World, a highly-regarded annual report, suggests that reli- breathing.2 It is important to take this seriously: the “culture gions must be major players in the most important two-sided of consumerism” is not just a form of life we can accept or crisis of our time—the economic and ecological one.1 The reject; it has now become like the air we breathe.3 Consum- report applauds religions for recent attention to environmen- erism is a cultural pattern that leads people to find mean- tal concerns—from “greening” church buildings to re-eval- ing and fulfillment through the consumption of goods and uating scriptures for ecological friendly doctrines—but be- services. Thus, the well-known comment that consumerism moans that religions have not given comparable attention to is the newest and most successful “religion” is not an under- economics. Somehow they fail to see the intrinsic connection statement. between environmentalism and consumerism. However, we I would suggest that religions are being asked to take on are becoming aware that these apparently different fields are what no other field has been willing to assume, yet is at the tightly interlocked, for it is the rampant use of energy that cre- ates both our consumer paradise as well as depletes the planet’s re- sources and contributes to global warming. To put it as simply as possible: it is not sufficient to consume in a “green” fashion;

rather, we must consume LESS, / Flickr CC 2.0 ©mindseyeimagery a lot less. Buying a hybrid car does not permit us to drive more, although that is often the under- lying rationale by many people who believe that quality can sub- stitute for quantity. Quantity still matters; in fact, we are at such a level of consumption in relation to the carrying capacity of our Like the pattern of the nautilus shell, planet that reduction must take May we live our lives in a "constant graceful curve toward purpose." a major role in sustainability. No May we have the wisdom and courage to seek "abundant life for all." / Flickr CC 2.0 I consider these words well has become one of changing from to be marching orders how we are living now to a different way. ©SidPix for religions. Such a As our ecological and economic cri- position would not only ses have become worse, more people serve the planet, but also are questioning the reigning culture be a return of religions of insatiable greed. They are coming to their own spiritual to the conclusion that the prospects roots and cause them of consumer culture have been greatly to recognize how far overrated and serious change at a fun- they have deviated.6 The damental level—of who we think we insidious message that are in the scheme of things and what the purpose of human we must do—is necessary. Change at life is to consume is a this level is incredibly difficult. Yet, it “heresy” and should be is precisely change at this fundamental condemned as such! level that most religions are about—it is Religious traditions may called “conversion” in Christian circles find such a return re- and demands thinking and living dif- vitalizing of their basic ferently than conventional society rec- message—restraint, not ommends. for the sake of ascetic But how do people change behav- denial of the world, but ior? Behind our decisions of how to live in order that “abundant stand our most basic beliefs: who do we heart of their own message: “a whole- life” might be possible for all.7 My small think we are in the scheme of things? sale transformation of dominant cul- contribution is to take up this challenge What is our worldview? One thought- tural patterns,” particularly at the level with an in-depth study of one form of ful person puts it this way: “Be careful of consumerism. As the State of the restraint in one religion—“kenosis” or how you interpret the world. It is like World asserts: self-emptying in Christianity. t h at .” 8 We live within our models, our We have reached the point in public worldviews, and they deeply and sub- Of the three drivers of environmen- discussion of the planet’s twin monetary tly influence the decisions we make, tal impact—population, affluence, and and ecological crises where we have one including ones about the environment. technology—affluence, a proxy for con- major need—not more information but For instance, if we hold views of sumption, is the arena in which secular strategies, practices, for moving into ac- God, the world, and ourselves that are institutions have been the least successful 4 in promoting restraint. …restraint, not for the sake of ascetic denial of the “Restraint,” summed up in the Gold- world, but in order that “abundant life” might be en Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) is a major possible for all. practice of most religions. It is the one thing needed now and is, I believe, both tion. Can religions make a contribution dualistic, individualistic, and anthro- a gift from religions and the challenge by sharing their profound, counter- pocentric, we will “naturally” decide to them. It could be considered a “com- cultural, and often unpopular message that climate change, for instance, is not ing home” for religions as well as their that abundant life at both personal and a serious matter. If we see God as a dis- greatest contribution to the economic/ public levels is found not by express- tant, supernatural, all-powerful being ecological crisis facing us. The report ing one’s ego as our market-oriented, who rules the world, then it is not our sums it up well: individualist culture encourages, but responsibility to change our behavior so by losing one’s ego in service to others? poor human beings and other animals Their special gift—the millennia-old Can we see this much-neglected aspect might live. Rather, we say, “Let God paradoxical insight that happiness is of many world religions—counter-cul- do it.” If, however, we see everything, found in self-emptying, that satisfaction tural kenosis—not as the only answer including God, as interrelated and in- is found more in relationships than in to the issues, but as one, important, and terdependent, a worldview supported things, and that simplicity can lead to a needed perspective? by contemporary science as well as the fuller life—is urgently needed today.5 Increasingly, the issue of how to live wisdom of many religions, then we see

2 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 we are responsible for the well-being of nation or even with all human beings, 2. The focus of one’s attention on the the whole, including less fortunate hu- but stretches to include all living crea- needs of others, especially the most man beings and other life-forms. tures. Only with such a radical change physical, basic needs, i.e., food. We need to change our images of in “who we think we are” will we be able Freed from finding fulfillment God, from seeing God as king and to make the deep changes necessary to through accumulation, one is able master over the world to imagining turn us around from ruining the planet to really pay attention to others, not the world as within God, like a baby in to helping it flourish. This change needs as objects for one’s own goals, but the womb. We live and move and have to happen at all levels of our life from as subjects in their own right. These our being within God. We need to wake the personal—what we eat and how we subjects are other human beings or up from the lie of the current world- get to work—to the public—how we tax life-forms, and even the processes view of individual, selfish fulfillment carbon emissions and distribute scarce that sustain life such as rivers, trees, through consumerism to the reality of resources fairly. and climate patterns. fulfillment by sharing with needy fellow 3. The gradual development of a “uni- creatures and the earth itself. Religious versal self.” As the line containing understandings of limitation, detach- …we are responsible one’s concern for others (compas- ment, self-emptying, and compassion for the well-being of sion) moves from its narrow focus can help us do this. The Christian no- on the ego (and one’s nearest and tion of self-emptying and the Buddhist the whole… dearest) to reach out further and understanding of compassion are two further until there is no line left: illustrations of the contribution reli- Thus, I am suggesting that the reli- even a caterpillar counts. This jour- gions should be making to the crisis gions of the world have a major role to ney, rather than diminishing the of climate change. What we need is to play in the climate change crisis. Reli- self, increases its delight. move from one worldview of self, of gion should answer the call to return to 4. The model of the inclusive self op- who we are in the scheme of things, its deepest roots of restraint, limitation, erates at both personal and public which encourages narrow, individual- sharing, and self-emptying so others levels. For instance, the planetary istic, greedy behavior to a view of self might live. House Rules operate at both pub- as “universal,” in which all are included. This process of change from lic and personal levels: 1) Take only The Dalai Lama has said that we ought belief to action contains the following your share; 2) Clean up after your- to think of the needs of strangers in the steps: self; 3) Keep the house in good re- same way that a mother responds to 1. Experiences of “voluntary poverty” pair for future occupants. the needs of her child, and Christians can shock middle-class people In conclusion, while other fields say much the same thing with “love the away from self-fulfillment through contributing to our planetary crises of- neighbor as yourself.” We might put it possessions and prestige and to- ten end with the despairing remark, “Of this way: the world is my body. Who I ward self-emptying as a pathway course, it is a spiritual, an ethical prob- am does not stop with the limits of my for personal and planetary well- lem,” the religions of the world should own skin, or with my own family or being. offer their distinctive answer: “Yes, it is, and let us look at that process of change *OREDO*UHHQKRXVH*DV(PLVVLRQE\6HFWRU from belief to action.”

%XLOGLQJV Adapted from Blessed Are the Consumers: Climate $JULFXOWXUH Change and the Practice of Restraint by Sallie 7UDQVSRUW )RUHVWU\ McFague copyright © 2013 Fortress Press, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by permission. For those interested in a fuller discussion of the issues raised in this article, Dr. McFague’s books may be purchased at www.fortresspress.com

cc Sallie McFague was the Carpenter Professor of Theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School for thirty years. She is now Distinguished Theologian in Resi- ,QGXVWU\ 2WKHU(QHUJ\ dence at Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, BC. She is the author of many influential books in the area of religious language and climate change, all from Fortress Press. (OHFWULFLW\ +HDW3URGXFWLRQ A MATTER OF SPIRIT 3 Data from IPCC Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change Eco-System Economics by James Gustave Speth exceed the extra benefits. One should longer held hostage to the growth im- stop growing at that point. Otherwise perative. hen I was in school in Eng- the country enters the realm of “uneco- The case that there are limits to land, the dean of my college nomic growth,” to use Herman Daly’s growth—crudely, not that we shouldn’t told us when we first arrived delightful phrase, where the costs of grow but that we cannot grow—is based Wthat we could walk on the grass in the growth exceed the benefits it produces.1 on the perception that we are enter- courtyard, but not across it. That helped America is now experiencing uneco- ing a new age of environmental scar- me love the English and their language. nomic growth, if one could measure city and rising prices that will constrain Here is another good use of preposi- and add up all the environmental, se- growth.3 The world economy, having tions: there are limits of growth, and curity, social, and psychological costs doubled in size three times since 1950, there are limits to growth. that US economic growth generates at is phenomenally large in comparison The limitsof growth are worth dwell- this point in our history, and throw in with the planetary base that is the set- ing on for a moment. Contrary to the the costs of the lost opportunities occa- ting for all economic activity. It is now constant claims that we need more sioned by our growth fetish, they would consuming the planet’s available re- growth, there is exceed the ben- sources on a scale that rivals their sup- only so much efits of further ply while releasing its waste products growth can do …we are entering a new ramping up back into the environment on a scale for us. If econo- age of environmental what is already that greatly affects the major biogeo- mists were true the highest GDP physical cycles of the planet. Natural to their trade, scarcity and rising prices per capita of any resources are becoming increasingly they would rec- that will constrain growth. major economy.2 scarce, and the planet’s sinks for ab- ognize that there Growth is not sorbing waste products are already ex- are diminishing delivering for hausted in many contexts. According to returns to growth. Most obviously, the Americans despite the high price we the Ecological Footprint analysis, Earth value of income growth declines as one pay for it. would have to be 50 percent larger than gets richer. An extra $1,000 of income It is time for America to move to it is for today’s economy to be environ- means a lot more to someone making post-growth society, where working mentally sustainable.4 $15,000 a year than to someone making life, the natural environment, our com- If we now live in a world where the $150,000. Meanwhile, growth at some munities and families, and the public natural resources, ecological services, point also has increasing marginal sector are no longer sacrificed for the and environmental sinks [e.g., oceans, costs. For example, workers have to put sake of mere GDP growth; where illu- rainforests] needed for economic ac- in too many hours, or the climate goes sory promises of ever-more growth no tivity are becoming scarcer across a haywire. It follows that for the econ- longer provide an excuse for neglecting wide front, we should see prices rising. omy as a whole, we can reach a point our country’s compelling social needs; And indeed we do. As economist Paul where the extra costs of more growth and where true citizen democracy is no Krugman explained in late 2010: “Oil is back above $90 a barrel. Copper and cotton have hit record highs. Wheat and corn prices are way up. Overall, world commodity prices have risen by a quarter in the past six months…. What the com- modity markets are telling us is

4 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014

Data from NOAA 44 Global Average Temperature (0F) 42 that we’re living in a finite world, in High & Low Emission Scenarios in which the rapid growth of 40 emerging economies is placing Children born today could experience High Emissions o pressure on limited supplies of 38 overall global warming of 8.6 F within raw materials, pushing up their their lifetime. prices…. Also, over the past 36 year, extreme weather—espe- cially severe heat and drought in 34 some important agricultural re- Low Emissions gions—played an important role 32 in driving up food prices. And, yes, there’s every reason to be- 30 lieve that climate change is mak- 28 Data from IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, Climate Change ing such weather episodes more 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability 5 common.” 26 How serious are global envi- 1950 2000 2050 2100 ronmental threats? Here is one measure of the problem: all that we for the Advancement of a Steady State future into the present in very concrete have to do to destroy the planet’s cli- Economy sees such an economy as: ways.8 These actual models will grow in mate and biota [i.e., all planetary life importance as communities search for forms] and leave a ruined world to fu- A positive alternative to the pursuit of answers on how the future should look, ture generations is to keep doing what endless economic growth. It is an econo- and they can change minds. Seeing is is being done today. Continue to release my that aims to maintain a stable level believing.9 greenhouse gases at current rates, con- of resource consumption and a stable Many have concluded that address- tinue to impoverish ecosystems and to population. It is an economy where en- ing our many challenges will require ergy and resource use are reduced to lev- the rise of a new consciousness, with ...addressing our many els that are within ecological limits, and different values dominant in American where the goal of maximizing economic culture. For some, it is a spiritual awak- challenges will require output is replaced by the goal of maxi- ening—a transformation of the human the rise of a new mizing quality of life. heart. For others it is a more intellec- tual process of coming to see the world consciousness... They isolate its four key features: (1) anew and deeply embracing the emerg- sustainable scale, or a state in which the ing ethic of the environment and the release toxic chemicals at current rates, economy fits within the planet’s ability old ethic of what it means to love thy and the world in the latter part of this to provide resources and absorb wastes, neighbor as thyself. But for all, the pos- century won’t be fit to live in. But, of (2) fair distribution and equal opportu- sibility of a sustainable and just future course, human activities are not hold- nity, (3) efficient allocation of resources will require major cultural change and ing steady at current levels—they are (“taking account of where markets a reorientation of what society values dramatically accelerating. It took all of work and where they don’t”) and (4) a and prizes most highly.10 history to build the $7 trillion world culture in which the demands for eco- Excerpted from America the Possible: Manifesto for economy of 1950; more recently, eco- nomic growth defer to things that really a New Economy by James Gustave Speth, published nomic activity has grown by $7 trillion matter—the health and security of indi- by Yale University Press, 2012, with permission. every decade. At typical rates of growth, viduals and communities.7 cc James Gustave Speth has served as the world economy will now double A major and very hopeful path is the Administrator of the UN Develop- in size in twenty years, perhaps fewer. seeding the landscape with innova- ment Program, Dean of the Yale School We are thus facing the possibility of tive, instructive models. A remark- of Forestry and Environmental Stud- an enormous increase in environmen- able and yet undernoticed thing going ies and founder and president of the tal deterioration, just when the world on in the United States today is the World Resources Institute. He currently is a professor at the Vermont School of needs to move strongly in the opposite proliferation of innovative models of Law and serves as Distinguished Senior 6 direction. community revitalization and busi- Fellow at Demos. His books include the Achieving a successful and sustain- ness enterprise. Local currencies, slow award-winning, The Bridge at the Edge ing post-growth economy may require money, state Genuine Progress Indica- of the World and Red Sky at Morning. dramatic interventions. The Center tors, locavores—these are bringing the

A MATTER OF SPIRIT 5 Weather Events: Evidence of Climate Change?

A changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration, and timing of extreme weather and climate events, and can result in unprecedented extreme weather and climate events. —Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change, IPCC 2012 report

Northeast Superstorm Sandy, 2012 Northwest Landslides, 2012-2014 Midwest "I looked out and the next thing you know, Polar Vortex, 2013-2014 the water just came up through the grates. It “It was like a movie… Houses were came up so quickly you couldn’t do anything exploding. The next thing I see is my "We've… compare[d] it to the record… about it." —Leo Quigley, Little Ferry, NJ Residentiii neighbor’s chimney coming into the and putting this winter in context, it really front door.” —Amanda Skorjanc, Oso, WA has been as severe as people think." The superstorm affected the entire Eastern iv landslide survivor, 2014i —Barbara Boustead, National Weather Service Seaboard. Hundreds of thousands of people lost homes and businesses, 285 people lost their lives. The winter of 2012-2013 is cited as The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Scientists report, “Sea surface temperatures along “one of the worst slide seasons in nearly Administration reported that prolonged snow the Atlantic coast [had] been running at over 3°C 100 years” with a 1400% increase—from and cold was due to a bizarre shift in a jet above normal… With every degree C, the water 4 to 56—in the number of slides that stream that dipped farther south and took holding of the atmosphere goes up 7%, and the blocked train service. Rainfall was 130% longer to move than usual. IA, IL, IN, MI, ii moisture provides fuel for the tropical storm, above normal. This rain coupled with MN, MO, WI had a top 10 coldest winter and intense deforestation made the ground increases its intensity, and magnifies the rainfall by Detroit had its snowiest winter on record.v much more unstable and slide-prone. double that amount.”

Southwest Drought, 2013 “It’s not a nice feeling knowing that South your town could be completely turned Gulf of Mexico Drought & Floods, 2013 into a ghost town because they don’t Dead Zone, 2013 “In October, we had flashfloods have a water supply.” —Greg Gustafson, in Austin. Hundreds of people lost Resident of Lake of the Woods, CAvi "Usually you see bait fish on the water. You don't see no bait fish, nothing. Noth- their homes. People lost their lives…. The shifting jet stream which brought ing's there… I don't have… testing material But very little of that rain fell in our cold and snow to the rest of the US moved to test the water, but I know something's reservoirs. So we're still in a serious precipitation away from California. The x water shortage.” Mose Buchele from wrong." —Fisherman Terry Pizani — drought is the most severe ever recorded StateImpact Texasviii with some cities having the least rainfall The 2nd largest dead zone, spanning over In Texas, Summer 2013 was much drier in recorded history. California residents 6,000 square miles, is in the Gulf of Mexico. There than usual, forcing farmers to sell cattle and saw 2013 as the warmest and 3rd driest in are more than 400 dead zones around the world, 2 lose a large amount of harvest. In November 119 years. In January the municipal water covering 95,000 miles . Pollution and CO buildup 2 the missing rains came in full force, flooding system announced that “it can’t get water cause massive algae growth and die-off, which over 1,300 homes. By December half of the to farmers” in the state which supplies over leave too little oxygen in the water to sustain life. southeast had “abnormally dry conditions ” vii Local fishermen said 2013 was a particularly bad , half of America’s fruit and vegetables. ix year, perhaps due to the greater than average while other areas had extreme flooding. 6 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 rainfall in the rest of the country increasing chemical runoff into the Mississippi River.xi Weather Events: Evidence of Climate Change? Human Health Vulnerabilities in a Warming World by Timnit Ghermay, M.D. public education and awareness, im- Southern Oscillation has also been as- proved health care, air conditioning sociated with malaria epidemics in the uman health depends on the and a healthier population will reduce dry coastal region of northern Peru.5 health of the underlying eco- the morbidity and mortality. Coastal storms can also trigger harmful systems that support our lives. Climate change might also alter the algal blooms—red tides—that harbor HSince the alarm was first raised in the timing and duration of the pollen sea- pathogens and create oxygen deprived 1980s, the mounting evidence has only son, as well as the geographic range of "dead zones" in gulfs. gotten stronger that climate change is those allergens which cause respiratory Furthermore, warmer temperatures damaging our ecosystems and threat- diseases such as hay fever and asthma. prolong the breeding season, increase ening life as we know it. Studies show that ragweed grown in an reproduction rates of mosquitoes and Our Earth is warming at an ac- atmosphere of higher carbon dioxide shorten the maturation period for the

celerating rate due to human activity. (CO2) levels results in 60% more pollen parasite; all leading to increased trans-

Examination of Northern Hemisphere than ragweed grown in lower CO2 con- mission rates. A recent 20-year study temperature recordings which began centration.3 The trade in 1880 reveal that the hottest 12 years winds blow dust and occurred in the last 15 years, with 2012 air-borne allergens— being the hottest year ever recorded in such as pollen, fungi

the US.1 A consequence of atmospheric and spores—from the / Flickr CC 2.0 and oceanic warming, as well as ris- expanding arid lands ing humidity, is increased frequency of Africa across to the

and intensity of heat waves. In 2003, a Caribbean islands and ©Piotr Fajfer heat wave lasting about 2 weeks caused Central America, caus- approximately 35,000 deaths across ing increasing respira- Europe and cost $13 billion. A study tory symptoms. Both involving 13 French cities during this asthma and respiratory period revealed that 60% of the in- symptoms dispropor- creased deaths were directly attribut- tionately affect chil- able to dehydration, hyperthermia and dren. heat stroke, secondary only to the heat Global climate vari- wave.2 ability in precipitation A painting by Ashley Cecil. Part of Canvas for Change, an Oxfam exhibition is demonstrated by at the climate change conference in Poznán increased frequency and intensity of looking at malaria infection rates in …climate change is heavy rains, flooding and storms in the highlands of Ethiopia and Colom- threatening life as we some regions, and less in others. In the bia found conclusively that in warmer immediate aftermath, health concerns years, malaria moved up to a higher al- know it. related to injury; infectious diseases titude and back down to lower altitude such as dengue fever, malaria and chol- in cooler years. In Ethiopia where 37 People vulnerable to heat waves are era; and exposure to house molds and million people are at risk for malaria, outdoor workers, athletes and the el- flushed chemicals predominate, while a 1.8 °F increase in temperature is esti- derly, especially elderly women, who malnutrition and mental health issues mated to result in 3 million new cases.6 have a decreased physiological capacity tend to occur later. For instance in Similarly, as glaciers have retreated, the to compensate. With a global trend of 1998, Hurricane Mitch dumped six feet geographic range of ticks that transmit urbanization and predicted aging of the of rain over a three-day period on Cen- Lyme disease and viral encephalitis has population in developed countries, a tral America. Thousands were killed extended north in the Czech Republic greater proportion of the world’s popu- and cases of dengue fever, malaria, and Sweden, seeming to correlate with lation will be at risk from extreme heat cholera and leptospirosis skyrocketed.4 warming trends.7 Continued climate events. Behavioral adaptations such as Periodic flooding linked to El Niño– change will likely expand the geograph-

A MATTER OF SPIRIT 7 ical range and incidence of these dis- had done for hundreds of years. Further measures such as mosquito nets, test- eases, infecting new populations. These deterioration of their relationship led ing and combination drugs “saved an populations lack protective immunity to many atrocities of war, including estimated 3.3 million lives…. Malaria and are therefore at risk for more severe genocide. mortality rates were reduced by about morbidity and mortality. A common consequence of ex- 42% globally and by 49% in the World Increasing climate variability may treme weather events such as floods, Health Organization African Region.” also aid the outbreak of diseases. Dur- landslides, rising sea levels, drought, Global and African Region malaria ing the 1987-1992 drought in the wildfires, conflict and salination of incidence rates were also reduced by Southwest, the rodent-predator popu- farm lands is population displacement. 25% and 31%, respectively.9 We need to lation of coyotes, snakes and raptors Crowding, mixing of populations with support and strengthen adaptive public was significantly reduced, so that when different immunity, poor hygiene and health measures such as vaccinations, early heavy rains returned in 1993, the close proximity of sick and healthy peo- clean water and sanitation. Eliminat- rodent population exploded by tenfold. ple in shelters and refu- Increased human exposure to deer mice gee camps—especially led to an outbreak and first diagnosis of in an undernourished …the effects of climate change the respiratory disease of Hantavirus population due to di- are expected to be more severe... Pulmonary Syndrome in the Western minished food produc- Hemisphere. Interestingly, the tradi- tion—make it an ideal where the poorest countries are… tional history of the Navajo Tribe de- condition for the rapid scribes a similar disease, which they spread of infectious diseases such as ing poverty and implementing essential associated with mice and dealt with by norovirus, cholera and salmonella. healthcare services and tailored disaster implementing public health measures Unfortunately, the effects of climate preparedness and response are also all similar to those in Western medicine. change are expected to be more severe essential. International systems of sur- In addition, there is some suggestion near the Equator where the poorest veillance and control of climate change that climate change may exacerbate countries are located. These overbur- diseases also need to be strengthened. conflicts in tropical countries. Solomon dened countries, with baseline under- These adaptive measures however, Hsiang and his colleagues examined nourished populations, have less re- only buy us time and ameliorate the the effects of warmer and dryer years, sources and infrastructure to deal with havoc that these increasingly extreme El Niño, and cooler years, La Niña, on the further compromise of water and weather events create. Encouragingly, 200 human conflicts in tropical and sanitation systems, crop losses, refugees significant financial savings in health non-tropical countries. Over a 54-year and emergency and healthcare systems. benefits are projected from strategies period, they found that the number of The good news is that some adap- directed at primary climate change mit- conflicts in tropical countries doubled tive measures are already underway. igation policies. Recent studies suggest in warmer years (6%) compared to One successful story of where political that aggressive reduction in greenhouse cooler years (3%).8 A recent case in commitment and financial investment gas emissions could prevent 10 million point is Darfur, where diminishing well has paid off is in the case of malaria. premature deaths by 2030. Keywan Ria- water instigated local farmers to stop The World Malaria Report 2013 states hi, a lead author of the recent Intergov- sharing their water with nomads as they that between 2000 and 2012, adaptive ernmental Panel on Climate Change re- port, states, “If you take health impact into account economically, it makes mitigating climate change much more affordable.”10 Ultimately, preventing catastrophic climate change requires transforma- tion: transformation of the heart and mind; and transformation in the social, economic and political actions of indi- viduals, communities and governments in order to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and transi- tion economies from ones based on fossil fuel to ones of renewable energy. Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2014 cc Timnit Ghermay is a physician and serves on the editorial board for A 8 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 Matter of Spirit.

©Maplecroft The poorest segments of societies are most vulnerable to climate change. —IPCC Report: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

Nurul Hashem: Climate Refugee

"The sea used to be much further away. We had to move our houses / Flickr CC 2.0 300 yards in 2008, but the water now comes to the house.” Nurul Hashem calls himself a climate refugee. His family’s home on Kutubdia, an island off the coast of Bangladesh, has been engulfed by the Bay of Bengal. The Island is half the size it was 20 years ago; six villages now belong to the sea. "We lost everything. We are not happy, because we must move again. Climate change is making thousands of people homeless." Studies of a town near Kutubdia show the sea rising by as much as 8mm each year, but the villagers “reckon it’s twice that at least” on the Island. Even at 8mm a year, the sea level would rise enough in the next 25 years to destroy freshwater access and submerge the land of over 10

million people in southern Bangladesh. Hashem says their future is bleak: Development International for ©UK Dept “We have nowhere left to go. If we had any money we would go to Cox's Bazar or Chittagong. All we can do is fish. We cannot protect ourselves. So we stay. Our life is with the sea.”1

Moyna’s home in Bangladesh is completely surrounded by contaminated floodwater Shifting Seasons: Farming in Uganda

Bekah sighed as she gazed out the window at the heavy, pounding / Flickr CC 2.0 rain. “This year is not good...” She trails off, and then shaking her head repeats, “Not good.” As she has done every year, she borrowed money from neighbors to buy seeds for the upcoming growing season. She wor- ries how she will pay them back. In rural Uganda, subsistence farming sustains practically every family—it is simply the way of life. Time-tested

traditions of knowing when to plant and when to harvest have failed this International ©Oxfam community for the past two years. “This season, the rains came earlier; all my seeds have washed away before they could root,” reports Bekah. Last season, the rain did not come until after all of her young plants had shriveled up and died from the heat and lack of water. Bekah does not know why the weather has changed so dramatically, but her main concern is how she will to feed her family. “This month, maybe we are going to be hungry,” Bekah says of her family of three daughters and a son, and of her community.1 Ugandan Climate Witness Constance Okot's community is impacted by erratic and extreme weather Resources Websites and Reports What We Know: The Reality, Risks and Response to Climate Change, AAAS, http://bit.ly/1p7DuPz Climate Action 2013-2014, climateactionprogramme.org Climate Solutions, climatesolutions.org Books Earth as Our Home, Sinsinawa Dominicans, ipjc.org Berry, Thomas, The Christian Future and the Fate of the Earth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ipcc.ch McKibben, Bill, Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future Taken By Storm: Responding to the Impacts of Climate Change, www.christianaid.org.uk Miller, RW, ed., God, Creation, and Climate Change: A Catholic Response to the Environmental Crisis Three Degrees Warmer, threedegreeswarmer.org A MATTER OF SPIRIT 9 The Climate Crisis: Breaking out of Pleasantville

by Guy Dauncey recognizing, as a team of research- ers recently showed, that the U.S. is hat are we to think? The an oligarchy, not a democracy.1 The slow-burning climate emer- media is biased, in accordance with gency is the biggest chal- its corporate ownership. Many politi- Wlenge we face as a planet, yet nobody cians in Washington are saying what wants to talk about it around the din- their corporate and plutocratic spon- ner table—not the way our parents and sors want, which does not include cli- grandparents talked about World War mate change. And the White House II, seventy-five years ago. is limited in what it can do without What are we to make of this great si- support from Congress. So take it off, lence? Is it the fear that Uncle Mike will and realize that there is another real- turn out to be a climate-denier and get ity, a very urgent one, behind the or- all huffy and puffy and blow your ideas ganized triviality of the daily media. down? Removing the second shade in- Or is it that after discussing it and ac- volves changing our sense of time. knowledging how dangerous the loom- We live biologically in the present, ing emergency is, you won’t know how but the climate crisis has a slow- to end the conversation? Urgent danger burning fuse. Greenhouse gases have brings the need for urgent action, but been accumulating in the atmosphere when we look around nobody seems to since 1750, due to all the fossil fuels be acting. Life goes on as normal. Mow we’ve been burning. Biologically, we

We wear three shades over our eyes that prevent us from seeing clearly and acting...

the lawn, get the kids to school, what’s respond well to an immediate crisis, on TV? It’s as if we are living in Pleas- but not to a slowly simmering crisis. antville, where reality is black and white If we take off the shades of immedi- until a freethinking teenager comes acy however, one of the climate solu- along; or The Truman Show, where re- tions—and there are many—opens an ality is a deliberate deception designed astonishing vista. to create the perfect TV show. For the first long period of human So why the great disconnect, the history we obtained our energy from strange paralysis? Even if you live in a firewood—and slaves. In the second household of activists for whom chal- period, we discovered fossil fuels. lenging the status quo is the status quo, Bingo! Here was all this free energy you’ve got to admit, it’s a strangely si- that had been stored away for mil- lent world out there. lions of years. We wear three shades over our eyes But the fossil fuels will run out even that prevent us from seeing clearly and without the climate crisis that will acting—so let us remove them. oblige us to leave 80% of the coal, oil Removing the first shade involves and gas underground. In another fifty

10 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 years, perhaps a hundred, they would if we turn to solar, along with other carsharing. all be gone anyway. So then what? If renewables, an astonishing realization We just need to change the way we we return to firewood, we will quickly dawns. The Sun sends us a thousand experience the climate crisis. Instead of destroy what’s left of the world’s forests. times more energy than we need every being caterpillars that fear losing our If we turn to nuclear, the uranium will day and will continue to do so for a long fossil-fueled skins, we need to become soon run out and we’ll be left with a time. butterflies with solar-powered wings. horrible mess of radioactive waste. But How long? The Sun will not begin What is the third shade? It is the belief to turn into a red giant, becoming that someone else needs to act before ** so warm that we need to evacuate, we do. There are so many available for almost two billion years—and climate solutions. We can make our with every year that passes solar homes more energy efficient. We can technology will improve in efficiency adopt a healthier, more vegetarian diet; and fall in price. take a trial ride on a electric bicycle; For our entire existence, we have talk to friends about doing a bulk solar lived with energy scarcity. To over- purchase; organize a sustainable study come it we have cut down forests, group; learn about climate change and killed whales, enslaved whole peoples its solutions; grow your own food; and killed millions in bloody wars. join a local group that is working to With the coming of the solar age, all change the world. Become a butterfly in that ends. How soon? Right now. training.

The Sun sends us a thousand times more energy than we need every day…

A 4-kilowatt (kW) solar system Take off all three shades, and you might generate 5,000 kilowatt hours will be free to leave Pleasantville and (kWh) a year, depending on where rejoin planet Earth. you live. The panels will be good for PS: How long is a billion years? The 30 years, and at 2014 installed prices past 10,000 years contains the entire they will cost $4 a watt, or $16,000. If history of civilization. A billion years you pay 20 cents per kWh, your so- is 100,000 units of time like that. Now lar system will save you $1,000 a year. that’s a long time. Once we get past our Over 30 years it will save you $30,000 teething problems, by restoring fair de- to $60,000 as the price of electricity mocracy and learning to live coopera- rises. By 2020, 4 kW of solar might tively as a planet, we will have all that cost $6,500, and it will save you up time to continue our journey of discov- to 10 times as much money over its ery and self-discovery. lifetime. With numbers like this, the **This material can be freely used to advance solar revolution is about to become discussion on the implications of the IPCC's Fifth a solar tsunami. Saudi Arabia, which Assessment Working Group 1 Report and impacts for receives an awful lot of sun, could business. The report is made available via a creative commons licence. produce its equivalent annual oil pro- duction in solar energy on just 1,000th cc Guy Dauncey is an author, activist of its desert land, earning $10 billion and eco-futurist who lives in Victoria, a year. Canada. He is founder of the Victoria Carshare Coop and the BC Sustainable With no more fossil fuels, air pol- Energy Association. His most recent lution would disappear. With sane, book is The Climate Challenge: 101 sustainable transportation, towns Solutions to Global Warming. His forth- and cities could become urban para- coming book is City of the Future: A dises, their leafy roads filled with pe- Journey to the Year 2032. His website is www.earthfuture.com. destrians, cyclists, transit and electric

A MATTER OF SPIRIT 11 Path to Paris 1992—United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Governments commit to reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases; developed countries called on to take the lead 195 parties (countries), including the US Leads to annual meetings of the Committee of Parties (COP) to decide what further actions are needed 1997—Kyoto Protocol Comes into effect in 2005 with the ratification by 192 parties (i.e., countries & the EU). The United 2015—Paris States, Andorra, South Sudan, Palestine & the Holy What's next? See have not ratified it. Canada withdraws in 2011. Goal: to create an international, legally binding roadmap to save 1. Commits the 37 developed parties who ratified the planet the treaty to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5.2% from their 1990 emissions The Call: levels by 2012 ■■ All countries must develop and meet aggressive emissions- Succeeded—emitted at or below goals: reductions goals with plans to Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, eliminate fossil fuel use and Czech Republic, Estonia, EU, Finland, deforestation France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, ■■ To implement loss-reductions Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, programs for countries who Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, disproportionately suffer the Sweden, UK & Ukraine1 consequences of a changing Failed—emitted beyond goals: Australia, climate Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, the 2014—Lima Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Spain & Switzerland 2013—Warsaw 2. Establishes market-based mechanisms for countries who could not meet their goals to 2012—Doha Climate Gateway assist financially in the creation of sustainable development in other countries

2011—Durban Platform for Enhanced Action Yearly meetings lead to additional agreements & collaboration, although little substantive change has been achieved as some of the biggest emitters refuse 2010 Cancun Agreements — to give full support.

2009—Copenhagen Accords Our Local Path Multi-State/Regional State County City/Town 9 agreements encompass 36 states, 28 states have climate action Over 100 counties are committed 1,060 mayors in all 50 states, DC 3 territories & 4 Canadian provinc- plans; 9 have state-wide emissions to purchasing sustainable products and Puerto Rico make commitments es. The West Coast Green Highway reductions goals. that have a reduced impact on the to Kyoto Protocol standards. This is an initiative to make Interstate Michigan adopted its Climate environment. represents a population of over 5, connecting Canada to Mexico Action Plan in 2009; and policy Maricopa County, AZ developed 88,962,980 citizens. through Washington, Oregon and recommendations are currently a messaging system which Denver is implementing FasTracks, California, cleaner, greener & more being implemented to reach its automatically sends text alerts to a mass transit system with Transit sustainable by providing alterna- goal of reducing emissions 20% agencies, businesses and residents Oriented Development. CO2 tive clean fuel options. below 2005 levels by 2020 and to take action to reduce their emissions were reduced by 60,249 80% below by 2050. emissions when particulate matter metric tons in 1 year due to the 12 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 in the air is high. light rail riders who had never previously used alternative transit. ©G old ma n En vi Path to Paris ro n m e n ta l P Denmark: Fossil Fuel Free by 2050 r iz e Reports of the gravity of climate change, the increasing cost of fossil fuels—both financially and environmentally—and a desire to prepare the country for a sustainable future has moved Denmark to take on what no other country has yet undertaken. The country has committed to be completely fossil fuel free by 2050. The government has developed “Energy Strategy 2050,” a com- prehensive pathway to realizing energy independence from oil, gas and coal. Denmark is already well on its way to reaching its 2020 goal of renewable energy supplying a third of the power grid. The transition to primarily wind and biomass energy will have a rela- tively low cost; the timeline allows Denmark to update its grid and power centers as old infrastructure naturally wears out. The two forms of energy complement each other well, since biomass eas- ily compensates when wind supply is not sufficient. Interestingly, nuclear power is not included in the plan. Businesses and individuals are given incentives for shifting their power supply. For example, a small fossil-fuel-use tax will increase Transforming Waste Management: every year, but reach no more than an extra ten euro per month for a household. The government is also providing information Bogotá about the benefits and savings of undertaking the initial costs of transitioning to renewable sources. Furthermore, the increasing ef- Violence in rural Colombia pushed Nohra Padilla, her eleven sib- ficiency of renewable energy will continue to decrease its price. The lings and parents to flee to Bogotá when she was seven. Trying to people who have studied potential repercussions of the transition make ends meet, her family resorted to searching through the local assure the country that businesses and the economy will not be landfill for scrap metal and other recyclables to sell. When she was negatively impacted. 16, the city closed the dump, forcing Nohra and her family to start The government hopes that Denmark can be an example to the picking through trash piles on the streets where discrimination and rest of the world of how achievable it is to be fossil fuel free.1 violence was much worse. Gradually, as Nohra began to understand more of the “big pic- ture” of the situation and the informal recyclers in the area started ©C GP G to recognize her as a leader, she began to take action for change. r ey / Recyclers were not very well respected throughout the city and F li ck r country, so she formalized the naturally-formed cooperatives into C C 2 organizations. The Association of Recyclers of Bogotá with 3,000 .0 members and the National Association of Recyclers in Colombia with 12,000 were born! Respect and recognition for the profession have grown im- mensely. Due to Nohra’s petitioning the government and using the court system, the government has ruled that waste management Our Local Path contracts must include jobs for informal recyclers. Within the city, they now must be paid for their services—rather than making a liv- ing through selling what they find—and new trash pick-up routes have been established so they can sort through the material before it is taken to the landfill. Recycling has also been mandated in the city of Bogotá. Nohra, with her community, is shifting the entire waste man- agement structure of Colombia. They have led the rest of the coun- try to respect recyclers and to recognize their work as necessary. Bogotá has become one of the leading Latin American cities in sustainable waste management.1

A MATTER OF SPIRIT 13 ``Uniting Latino Leaders for ``Women's Justice Circles Social Change! Handeni (Tanga Region), Tanzania There are 25 Justice Circles go- Kenya ing on in Tanzania! Digna Peter was trained to facilitate Justice Circles when she was in Seattle as a Community Solutions Program (CSP) fellow. CSP is a global pro- fessional development program from the State Department. The Circles are being conducted in Swahili in rural villages among Zambia IPJC sponsored a statewide Latino conference to: mostly Muslim women. Each village´s Circle is identifying its own issue, such as water sani- ■■ Develop young and emerging leaders tation, healthcare access, and literacy. ■■ Promote grassroots community inclusion ■■ Act for community mobilizations, advocacy and social Connell, Washington change Representatives of 58 organizations, community groups and churches came from across Washington. ``Justice Cafés The March Justice Café topic of human trafficking resulted in very engaging discussions and significant new awarenesses. The Davidson, NC Café Alejandro Aguilera-Titus provides a 2-day workshop on reported, “We talked about family, community & cultural issues. human dignity and how our choices can affirm or deny dignity. One thing ``Donations that really stuck out to us was the idea that all of our In Honor of: 2013 Dominican West purchases are MORAL as Jubilarians, Judy Byron, OP 50th Jubilee, Cele well as economic deci- Gorman, OP, Rosemary Rognstad, Grace sions.” Sbrissa, CSJ, Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ, Holy Names In April, Cafés acted for justice on human trafficking by Academy Graduates: Anna Crean, Therese standing vigil to raise awareness; and creating information- Edwards, Anna Lewis, Clare O'Connor, Cha al posters and posting them around campuses. The Café in Cha Sawyer, Kelly Taft and Lena Tran Roma, Lesotho gave presentations in two high schools! The Justice Café at Holy In Memory of: Marisa Altschul, Joyce Names University en- Carver, Betty Crow, Mary Flaming, CSJP, gaged other students Richard Gorman, Colleen Kelleher, Teddie Kopp by asking them to complete stop signs which read, “I stand ``Winter 2014 AMOS—Science & Faith against human traf- ficking because…” Due to requests, this issue has been reprinted. Contact IPJC for copies!

14 NO. 103 / SUMMER 2014 NEWS • ANNOUNCEMENTS • EVENTS ``Northwest Coalition for ``Just Video Contest Winners Responsible Investment IPJC received 15 entries from 5 schools, and the winners are: ■■ 1st Place: Would You Members Address Climate Have Let Us In? by JaeYeon Park and Change Haeln Bae from St. Mary's Academy, Bank of America contributes to Winnipeg, Manitoba, climate change as a top financier Canada of companies in greenhouse gas emissions-intensive industries, ■■ 2nd Place (tie): Progress by Frances de Rubertis and Beija i.e., coal, oil and gas, and fossil Flor from Holy Names Academy, Seattle, WA fuel-based electric power. ■■ 2nd Place (tie): Lupe's Story by Agnes Song, Jessica NWCRI led a coalition of shareholders who filed a Duong, Amy Melendrez and Martha Vasquez from resolution requesting the Company to assess and report on Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alhambra, CA the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from its financing ■■ 3rd Place: A Day Without School by Chaeyoon Jeong portfolio. The resolution was supported by 24% of Bank of and Su Hyun Lim from St. Mary's Academy, Winnipeg, America shareholders at the annual meeting on May 7! Manitoba, Canada After 5 years of share- Watch all the winning videos at holder proposals, ExxonMobil, the na- www.ipjc.org tion’s biggest energy company has agreed to report by September 2014 on how it manages risks from fracking, including impacts to water/air quality and water/chemical usage. This step toward total dis- ``Intercommunity Peace & Justice closure is applauded by NWCRI members who co-filed the resolution which has been withdrawn. Center "Miracle on 65th Street" Citing the urgent need for action on climate change, on May 6 Col- Thank You! gate-Palmolive demon- strated what it means to We are grateful to every- be a sustainability leader by publicly committing to reduce one who participated in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 25% by 2020 and 50% our Spring fundraiser to by 2050. This enables the Company to play its part in limiting support and sustain our global warming to 2°C, as recommended by the Intergovern- mission! You make this mental Panel on Climate Change. ministry possible! —Colgate Sustainability Report 2013 Staff: Timnit Ghermay, Linda Haydock, SNJM, Equity: The Northwest Giselle Cárcamo, Annapatrice Clarke, Access to Nutrition Environment: Coalition for Re- Judy Byron, OP and Justin Almeida Predatory Lending Climate Change sponsible Invest- Water Health: ment is a regional Access to Health Corporate collaborative HIV/AIDS Pandemic Responsibility: organization of Human Rights faith-based insti- Peace: Human Trafficking Violence in Society Supply Chain tutions commit- ted to using their power as investors to shape a more just world. Members use their rights as shareholders to dialogue with companies about corporate policies and practices that promote social, eco- nomic and environmental justice. A MATTER OF SPIRIT 15 NON-PROFIT ORG. US Postage PAID Seattle, WA 1216 NE 65th St Permit No. 4711 Seattle, WA 98115-6724 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center

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SPONSORING COMMUNITIES If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are. Adrian Dominican Sisters —Wendell Berry Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Oregon Province Jesuits Gather with others to reflect on a sense of Earth con- Sisters of the Holy Names of sciousness. Sit in a circle and place something of the Jesus and Mary, U.S. Ontario Province beauty of nature on a ritual table. Sisters of Providence, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds Mother Joseph Province of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, Sisters of St. Francis of and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform Philadelphia you. Which of all these does not know that the hand Tacoma Dominicans ©Hamed Saber / Flickr CC 2.0 of God has done this?” —Job 12:7-9 AFFILIATE COMMUNITIES Leader: As we gather, I invite you to take a moment Benedictine Sisters of to reflect on where you live. Describe your home us- Cottonwood, Idaho ing only nature. (e.g., trees, flowers, lakes, mountains) Benedictine Sisters of Lacey After quiet reflection, I will invite you to describe Benedictine Sisters of your home on Earth. Mt. Angel [After all have shared] Religious of the Sacred Heart Sinsinawa Dominicans Leader: Now in communal quiet, take time to think Sisters of Charity of the about Earth, our home—how well do we know it? Blessed Virgin Mary [Give ample time for this reflection] Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet WWIn which bioregion do I live? Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon WWWhich watershed supplies my water? Society of the Holy Child Jesus WWWhere does my water go after it goes down the drain? Ursuline Sisters of the W Roman Union WHow fertile is the soil in my neighborhood? WWWhat was on the land where I live before it was developed? EDITORIAL WWWhat formed the land features around me? (e.g., tectonic plate lines forming mountains BOARD through earthquakes) Judy Byron, OP WWWhere is one place I can go within walking distance to appreciate nature? Timnit Ghermay Gretchen Gundrum Leader: What insights came to you as you considered the questions? How does your awareness Linda Haydock, SNJM of your connection with Earth affect your commitment to engage climate change? Vince Herberholt Tom Hulscher Adapted from Discussion Course on Discovering a Sense of Place by the Northwest Earth Institute Nick Mele Editor: Annapatrice Clarke …Global climate change is…about the future of God’s creation Layout: Justin Almeida and the one human family. —Global Climate Change, USCCB, 2001 Footnotes online at www.ipjc.org