Statement on Global Climate Change & Stewardship of the Earth
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Synod of the Trinity Statement on Global Climate Change

WHEREAS

• God created the earth and all that is within it, and
• We are directed by God to be stewards of the earth both for its own sake and so that present and future generations may live and enjoy its fruits, and
• As members of Christ's Church we are called to exhibit to the world around us Christ's offer of redemption and reconciliation to humankind and to all of creation;

AND WHEREAS

• We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and
• Human activity is the realm in which we live out either God's sovereign plan or our fallen human nature, and
• The links between human activity, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and rising global temperature and sea level are well established, and
• Global temperature and sea level are expected to rise unless we take steps to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that concentrations are stabilized, and
• Climate change and sea level rise are apt to affect everyone and everything: food, water, air quality, bio-diversity, forests, public health, social order and world peace, and
• The poor, the young, and the elderly are often the most vulnerable when weather-related and climate-related disasters strike;

AND WHEREAS

• Our first obligation is to discern and do God's will, and
• Since 1990 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has urged the U.S. government to take the lead in addressing global warming through international agreements and domestic policies to increase energy conservation and efficiency, and to accelerate the transition to safe, non-polluting, affordable energy, and
• The General Assembly has also urged its congregations to engage in education about global warming, and encouraged congregations to take measures to increase energy conservation and efficiency, and
• Representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have been instrumental in developing interfaith climate campaigns in eighteen states.
• The Synod of the Trinity, comprised of the eastern counties of Ohio, all of Pennsylvania, and most of West Virginia, has signed and supports The Religious Leaders' Statements in support of their respective state campaigns.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That
We, The Synod Of The Trinity, Meeting In The Month Of October In The Year 2001, Urge Our Presbyteries And Congregations To Participate In The Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaign Of The Ohio, Pennsylvania And West Virginia Councils Of Churches By:

1. Seeking guidance through prayer and the study of Scripture for wisdom and strength as we seek to address the human activities that do violence to the integrity of God's creation by causing global climate change,
2. Providing education by using the resources available through the Campaign to help members of congregations understand and embrace the challenge of global warming as a religious issue,
3. Examining opportunities to reduce greenhouse emissions by using less energy, increasing energy efficiency, and buying electricity that comes partly or entirely from renewable sources,
4. Supporting the Pennsylvania Council of Churches' activities to address global climate change in national and state policies, while understanding that the obligation to restore the integrity of God's creation must transcend partisan politics,
5. Thanking God for the good gift of creation through our stewardship of it, and always remembering to be grateful for what God has done for us.

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