210th General Assembly (1998) online Commissioners' Resolutions
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Commissioners' Resolution 98-5. On Global Climate Change
Whereas climate change caused by global warming of the atmosphere poses a serious threat to God's creation through such possible effects as rising sea levels, more frequent or severe storms, loss of habitat, changes in water distribution, and heat-related mortality and illness, to name a few; and
Whereas the 1990 General Assembly adopted a comprehensive policy entitled "Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice" which signaled the need to address climate change and called upon the United States to "reach firm international agreements for steady and substantial reduction of the gases causing climate change..."; and
Whereas since the 1990 General Assembly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change composed of scientists from around the world has recognized that human activity is resulting in the climate changes we observe today; and
Whereas the United States signed Climate Change Convention at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and has participated in subsequent negotiations to reach firm commitments on scheduled reductions of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change; and
Whereas a historic step toward these reductions was negotiated in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and has been submitted to the government for ratification; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 210th General Assembly (1998)
1. urge the government of the United States to ratify the protocol negotiated in Kyoto which seeks to have the U.S. and other industrialized countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and urges all nations to develop policies on renewable energy, energy and fuel efficiency, and reforestation which will reduce their emissions;
2. urge developing nations to negotiate targets and timetable for reductions of greenhouse gases;
3. urge Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and institutions to pursue energy efficiency and conservation in their buildings and property; and
4. commend church organizations and individuals which have worked diligently since the 1990 General Assembly policy statment was adopted to promote caring for God's creation, and particulary for addressing global climate change.
Roger Sobin -- Mission Presbytery
Leslie Piper -- Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
