October 28, 2008

Across the country, Christians and people of faith who recognize climate change as a moral issue are telling the Presidential candidates their concern about the effects climate change will have on people and the planet.

More than 800 people of faith have signed on to an open letter to the Presidential candidates sponsored by the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice program.

"Climate change is no longer just a Sunday morning conversation for Christians and communities of faith" noted Cassandra Carmichael director of the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs.

"People understand that climate change will continue to impact not only God's Creation, but all of God's people, particularly those living in poverty around the world; this realization is calling people and communities to action."

In the struggle to limit the future impacts of climate change on God's Creation, Christians are insisting that national priorities reflect a concern for the voiceless and vulnerable.

Specifically, the letter asserts people of faith's desire to see climate efforts that address the need for strong emissions reductions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, financial assistance to low-income and working families to protect them from the increased cost of energy that would occur under national climate policy, and international adaptation assistance to help the most vulnerable developing nations and communities cope with the impacts of climate change.

In addition, the letter acknowledges the importance of conservation and efficiency, lifting up the importance of reduced personal consumption through lifestyle changes.

The letter will remain open for the coming week and will be sent to the presidential candidates just before the election. The complete text of the letter can be found on the NCC Eco-Justice Program website http://www.nccecojustice.org/presidentialletter.html.

The National Council of Churches is the ecumenical voice of America's Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace churches. These 35 communions have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states.

National Council of Churches USA