A Time for Bold and Immediate Action on Global Warming: An Urgent Appeal from Religious Leaders for Mandatory Limits on Greenhouse
Open letter to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
September 2006

September 19, 2006

Hon. James Inhofe
Chair, Environment and Public Works Committee
U.S. Senate
Dirksen Building Room 410
Washington, DC 20510

Hon. James Jeffords
Vice Chair, Environment and Public Works Committee
U. S. Senate
Dirksen Building Room 456
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Sen. Inhofe, Jeffords, and Committee Members:

We are clergy and religious leaders of many faith traditions from across the country who have joined together to ask that you take immediate action to curb global warming. We believe that it is our moral responsibility to protect the earth’s climate. We believe we must heed the scientists who are warning us that human-induced climate change is already affecting our planet’s life-sustaining systems. The situation is urgent and we can no longer wait to enact mandatory limits on global warming pollution.

We are watching with alarm as the pace of climate change quickens and our leaders in Washington do nothing to alleviate the growing crisis. We appeal to you to take a responsible, leadership position in the world community by making a firm commitment to significantly reduce levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

Concrete measures must be put in place to begin to turn the tide of global warming. The time for studies and voluntary measures has come and gone. Scientists tell us we must reduce emissions by 75% or more by 2050 to avoid the most catastrophic impacts. Setting a mandatory limit on greenhouse gas emissions would place us on the right path and allow us to ultimately reach sustainable levels.

We appeal to you from a position of faith.  Every major religious tradition calls us to be stewards of Creation. We have a moral responsibility to protect the earth for our children and future generations. As religious leaders, we recommit ourselves today to do our part by educating our congregants on the importance of this issue, and to use energy as efficiently as possible. But we cannot do it alone.  We need government regulation to help protect our health and our ecosystem.

We appeal to you from a position of justice.  While we will all be affected by a destabilized climate, it is the poorest among us who will suffer most from heat waves, floods, famine, disease, and drought. As the country with the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the world, and the largest economy, the United States has a responsibility to join the global effort to prevent catastrophic climate changes.

We appeal to you from a position of hope. If we act immediately, we can turn the tide toward sustainability.  With a collective effort, determination, and decisive action, we will ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. We appeal to you and will pray for your good judgment on this matter, knowing that we are responsible for our actions. 

Sincerely,