“There Will Be Signs": Climate-Crisis Sermon, Advent 1

The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade

#ClimateMarch #ParisClimateConference

Texts:  Psalm 25: 1-10; Luke 21:25-26

Watch the video of the sermon here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnvZAN27Iek

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves” (Luke 21:25).  So said Jesus over 2000 years ago.  Certainly the first hearers of his words and readers of this text could have had no idea about the kind of roaring of the sea and waves we are currently seeing on this planet. 

Flooding in Pakistan: Getty Images

According to scientists at NASA, “Sea levels have risen about 8 inches since the beginning of the 20^th century.  The ocean is projected to rise by as much as 3 feet or more by the end of this century,” (http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/125/).  What will this look like for our planet? It would mean that our coastal and low-lying cities would be inundated with flood waters.  Especially at risk will be the poorer citizens of these cities who have no resources to move to higher ground, the homeless who have no place to go, and the sick and elderly who may be too fragile to endure these rapidly changing conditions, not to mention the myriad health problems that accompany flooding.

 

Why is this happening?  According to NASA, our ocean absorbs more than 90% of the heat trapped by human-produced greenhouse gases such as natural gas and carbon dioxide from burning oil and coal.  This extra heat causes the sea level to rise because the ice sheets and glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate.

Arctic ice pack has diminished 13% since 1979 due to rising sea temperatures.  Photo credit:  NASA

Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 3as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” (Luke 21:29-33).

Again, Jesus points us to nature as a harbinger of things to come.  And again, certainly his original hearers could not have foreseen the kind of thing I’m noticing here in Central PA in mid-November and December.  After all the leaves had dropped from the trees in preparation for the winter months, I am noticing buds sprouting from the tips of branches from some of the trees and bushes.  

This is a forsythia bush blooming in December in Lewisburg, PA.

We’ve had many warm days – in the high 50s and low 60s.  The sun has been shining and people are out enjoying the nice weather.  Friends are telling me they are seeing roses bloom and cherry trees blossom.  In November and December.  Part of me wants to say, isn’t this balmy weather wonderful? But the other part of me knows – this is not right.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report with data showing that October had a combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces that was the highest in the 136-year period of record.  “This marked the sixth consecutive month a monthly global temperature record has been broken and was also the greatest departure from average for any month in the 1630 months of recordkeeping, surpassing the previous record high departure set just last month.”[1]   

Source:  http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/125/

NASA also released a report that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached 400 ppm.  It’s supposed to be at 350 ppm for the planet to be able to maintain a climate equilibrium.  But because of our global economic system that has required the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, clear-cutting of forests, and industrial animal agriculture, CO2 levels have reached the highest level they’ve been in millions of years. 

As Dr. Erika Podest, a carbon and water cycle research scientist, said in her response to this news: “Even more alarming is the rate of increase in the last five decades and the fact that CO2 stays in the atmosphere for hundreds or thousands of years. This milestone is a wake up call that our actions in response to climate change need to match the persistent rise in CO2.”  (http://climate.nasa.gov/400ppmquotes/)

How interesting that on this first Sunday of Advent we hear these words of Jesus carrying so much dire warning about things to come.  We talked about this passage in our Bible study before the service, and were struck by the words that seem to describe what is happening in our world – everything from political terrorism to racial hatred, from war refugees to mass shootings that seem to occur weekly.

These stand in stark contrast to the advertisements and holiday music blaring from our radios and hand-held devices and television screens.  Images of millions of eager shoppers lining up at stores to get the best deals for their Christmas list proclaim that all is right with the world.  Click the link – your Christmas shopping has never been easier!  Your friends and family and dog will love you for giving them these pieces of colorful plastic made from oil, driven to your store in trucks fueled by gas, lit up by hundreds of lights powered by electricity from burning coal and natural gas, that will be thrown into the trash and taken away by more trucks burning gas, and sit in landfills for the next several hundred years.  But don’t worry – as long as you get yours, as long as your lifestyle is maintained, as long as you are comfortable while all of this is happening – that’s all that really matters, right?

How are we as Christians to respond to all of this?  What are we to think when the very holiday that is to proclaim God’s love and forgiveness and light coming into a world darkened by sin has been turned into one big commercial for capitalism and consumerism?  How are we to respond to the pressure to produce, sell, buy, and acquire which is in direct conflict with Jesus’ command to “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life” (Luke 21:34)?

Perhaps this is the year when we stand up and say: that’s enough.  Instead of adding fuel to this fire of consumerism that is burning up our planet and leading to a devastating climate crisis, we make a conscious decision to take a step back and reassess our priorities.  Instead of racing with the mindless mobs toward the cliff, we stop, turn around and begin walking in a different direction.

For two weeks, political leaders from all over the globe met for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. Nearly 150 heads of state and government gathered to address the crisis of global warming and what steps need to be taken to avert the worst-case-scenario for our planet and humanity.  Where were they meeting?  Paris, France.  Yes, the same place where just a few weeks prior to the conference, terrorism rocked the city with explosions and gunfire killing and wounding hundreds of people.  Climate change activists had been planning a peaceful march in support of their leaders to take the biggest steps forward on global cooperation for ending our addiction to fossil fuels and curb the worst effects of climate change.  But the march had to be cancelled because of security concerns.

So instead, marches have been taking part all over the world by people in their own towns and cities.

Even those who weren’t near a local march were encouraged to take selfies with their shoes to show their solidarity with the marchers.  Our family did this as well.  Instead of adding our fuel to the fires of Black Friday, we played games, threw the football, and took part in our own march in solidarity for the planet. 

“[Be on guard so that] that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man,” (Luke 21:36).

This is the season to be alert and pay attention to the signs and signals nature is sending to us. Earth’s fever is rising.  Islands are disappearing.  Species are dying off at historic levels. Droughts are increasing and intensifying.   Floods are inundating entire countries.

But as Christians, we also proclaim that Creation contains within itself the very signs that remind us of God’s presence in the world.  The countless species of trees and animals and insects and microbes, the beauty of forests, oceans, deserts and grasslands – all of Creation attests to the loving power of our Creator God. 

And there are things we can do to align ourselves with that power instead of trying to oppose or undermine it.  As research oceanographer Dr. William Patzert advises:  “Listen to the scientists, vote wisely, beat carbon addiction and put humanity into the game.” (http://climate.nasa.gov/400ppmquotes/). 

And, as Christians, we add Jesus’ instructions:  “Be on guard, be alert.  Pray for strength.”  Churches will need to be places that heighten that alertness, marshal that prayer-power, and help organize the resources that will be needed to help our poorest and most vulnerable folks survive the effects of the climate crisis.  This is exactly the time when Christians need to lift their voices, move their feet, and join their hands with like-minded brothers and sisters of all religions and ranges of belief in peaceful, prayerful protest of all the forces that are undoing God’s Creation and the fabric of civilization. 

We can start with this prayer from Psalm 25 that can orient us to our calling during this Advent season:

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

   teach us your paths.

Lead us in your truth, and teach us,

   for you are the God of our salvation;

   for you we wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

   for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of our youth or our transgressions;

   according to your steadfast love remember us,

   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Amen.

More ideas for sermons about the Creation-Crisis can be found in my book Creation-Crisis Preaching:  Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015).  

  And visit the website for more ideas for connecting faith and Creation:  http://www.creationcrisispreaching.com/

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[1] NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, State of the Climate: Global Analysis for October 2015, published online November 2015, retrieved on November 27, 2015 fromhttp://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201510. Accessed 11/27/15

PA's Clean Power Plan - Renewables, Efficiency and Conservation, Not Methane Gas

The following is my testimony for the listening sessions the DEP is holding throughout the state to gather citizen input as it considers how Pennsylvania can best implement the Clean Power Plan, which our country adopted to reduce carbon pollution from power plants - the nation's biggest source of climate change emissions.   

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA-DEP)

Testimony by

The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade, PhD

Pastor, United in Christ Lutheran Church, Lewisburg, PA

Author, Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theologyand the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015)

Adjunct Professor in Religion and Philosophy –

Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA; Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

jimleah@aol.com

November 4, 2015

First, I want to thank the DEP and Secretary Quigly for gathering citizen input on the formulation of the state's strategies for meeting the Clean Power Plan targets.  Climate change poses grave threats to present and future generations of Pennsylvanians, so the Commonwealth must take immediate action against climate change.  A strong state plan to implement the CPP is the most important near-term action Pennsylvania can take. I offer this testimony today on behalf of myself, my husband and two young children, and my congregation, United in Christ Lutheran Church in Lewisburg, to express my support for the DEP to do two things to meet the Clean Power Plan: 1) encourage energy conservation, and 2) refuse to entertain any thought of allowing methane gas to be a means by which to meet the targets. 

First, I am concerned that energy efficiency will not be utilized to its full extent in the plan, because it was not included in the target-setting. It is still allowed for compliance. The fact is that energy efficiency is the fastest, cleanest, and most cost-effective compliance mechanism available to states. And on the basis of levelized costs, the evidence is clear: energy efficiency is cheaper than any generation technology.  There is no compliance mechanism better suited to directly help consumers with their energy costs.

Just this week, my elementary-age son received a “Bright Kids” kit at his school from PP&L with three free LED light bulbs and materials to help him learn about energy conservation.  Just that small investment from the power company will help our home save energy, save money, and cut our carbon emissions.  Imagine if all power companies were required to provide such kits to every one of their customers.  Energy efficiency is cheaper than any type of electricity, new or existing, fossil or renewable.  We should be investing in energy efficiency first to displace new and existing fossil fuel energy generation.  This way, even if rates go up, bills will stay the same or go down.

In regards to my second concern about methane gas, I served as a member of the task force on slickwater hydraulic fracturing for the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  We spent two years studying the ethical and moral issues surrounding fracking.  I have also been a member of several environmental groups that study and bear witness to the harmful effects of the shale gas industry in our state and across the country. The Clean Power Plan undervalues the warming impact of methane gas in two important ways. First, the CPP regulates stack emissions, not upstream emissions, so the impact of the methane leakage from wells and infrastructure is largely invisible to the Plan.  

Second, methane is a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide.  The total lifecycle emissions from methane-gas-fired power plants, including leakage during production, processing, and transmission, emissions flaring at gas wells, and energy consumed in the production and transport of liquefied natural gas have the potential to send greenhouse gases on our planet into out-of-control levels.

 

While the most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that methane is 86 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over a 20 year period, the Clean Power Plan relies on an outdated figure previously published by the IPCC, stating that methane is only 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over 100 years, a timeframe that is hardly relevant given the Plan’s goal to reduce emissions by 2030.   The bottom line is that the more Pennsylvania’s plan avoids relying on shale gas, the faster we can make lasting efforts to reduce emissions. 

By some estimates, if Pennsylvania designs a strong plan centered on low-carbon solutions, we could generate at least 5,100 new jobs in the energy efficiency sector and save local businesses at least $241 million on energy bills in 2020. We can also expect to see an additional $17 billion in investment come to our state's clean energy projects.

I am committed to helping people of faith learn how to do their part to care for God’s Creation and address ecological justice issues.  The Clean Power Plan should lead to significant climate and public health benefits for all, especially minority, low-income, and indigenous communities. The crafters of the plan must also be vigilant about identifying and closing any loopholes that would enable carbon emitters to skirt either the letter and/or spirit of the law.

In conclusion, I call for the DEP to move toward a plan that shuns reliance on shale gas and embraces clean, renewable energy, along with energy conservation, all of which has the potential to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gases, and power our state in sustainable ways.  I urge the DEP to make the plan as strong as possible, exceeding the federal specs, and to do everything within its power to move our state away from fossil fuels and toward solar, wind, and geothermal, as well as greatly increased energy efficiency and conservation.  Thank you.