With
the announcement by President Donald Trump of his decision to withdraw
the commitment made by the United States to the Paris Climate Accord, I
am reminded of the words of the old spiritual which speaks of God and
God's creation in these words, "He's got the whole world in his hands."
The whole world belongs to God, as Psalm 24 teaches us. God's eye is
ever on even the tiny sparrow, as Jesus taught and the song says (Luke
12:6). And we human beings have been charged with being trustees,
caretakers, stewards of God's creation (Genesis 1:26-31).
The
United States has been a global leader in caring for God's creation
through efforts over the years on climate change. President Trump's
announcement changes the U.S.'s leadership role in the international
sphere. Despite this announcement, many U.S. businesses, states,
cities, regions, nongovernmental organizations and faith bodies like
the Episcopal Church can continue to take bold action to address the
climate crisis. The phrase, "We're still in," became a statement of
commitment for many of us who regardless of this decision by our
President are still committed to the principles of the Paris Agreement.
Faith
bodies like the Episcopal Church occupy a unique space in the
worldwide climate movement. In the context of the United Nations, the
UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, we are an international body
representing 17 countries in the United States, Latin America and the
Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and the Pacific. We also are an admitted
observer organization to the UNFCCC process, empowered to bring
accredited observers to the UN climate change meetings. Furthermore, the
Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the
third-largest Christian tradition, and we remain committed to ensuring
that Anglicans everywhere are empowered to undertake bold action on
climate change mitigation and adaptation.
We know that
caring for God's creation by engaging climate change is not only good
for the environment, but also good for the health and welfare of our
people. The U.S. is currently creating more clean jobs faster than job
creation in nearly every other sector of the economy, and unprecedented
acceleration in the clean energy sector is also evident in many other
major economies.
My prayer is that we in the Episcopal
Church will, in this and all things, follow the way, the teachings and
the Spirit of Jesus by cultivating a loving, liberating and
life-giving relationship with God, all others in the human family, and
with all of God's good creation.
In spite of hardships
and setbacks, the work goes on. This is God's world. And we are all
his children. And, "He's got the whole world in his hands."
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
The Presiding Bishop's statement is available online here.
