The Bible is full of nature imagery, from the Psalms to Jesus’ mandate to “consider the lilies.” Environmental stewardship is not only about enjoying the beauty of nature, but also about caring properly for what we have been given by God. Christian author and environmentalist Scott Sabin writes, “I am an environmentalist because I am a Christian.”
For too long, the environment has been a politically divisive topic. Increasingly, however, Christians of all political persuasions are realizing the importance of ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy God’s creation.
The MCC U.S. Washington Office advocates for government policies that promote sustainability and responsible stewardship.
Election resource: Climate change (from the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, a collaborative initiative of EMU, Goshen College and MCC)
Fall/Winter 2019 Washington Memo – The things that make for peace: U.S. climate change policy
Earth Day Sunday 2020: The Fierce Urgency of NOW. Christian education materials to equip faith communities to protect, restore, and more rightly share God’s creation.
An introduction to carbon pricing (CSCS/MCC)
Climate Change
MCC Stories
- Coping with climate change: In Kenya, conservation agriculture and raising animals like chickens help families sustain themselves despite changing weather patterns.
- Methane: A key to our changing climate
- Climate Change and Women
- MCC United Nations Office series on Addressing climate change and conflict
- World water day 2018
- MCC Latin American and Caribbean (LACA) blog series on climate change and food security
- Peace on Earth, peace with Earth
- The Green Climate Fund
- Paris climate talks
- What’s next on climate change?
- Waiting for rain
- In the grip of denial
- Mennonites join the Peoples Climate March
- Personal stories from the Climate March: Anne | Adam
- MCC LACA: Institutional Strengthening for Disasters and Emergencies
- Faith, Hurricane Irma, and Climate Change
- Creativity Confronts Climate Change on Colombia’s Coast
Global South Voices (MCC and the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions)
Prayers
- Mennonite World Conference Creation Care Task Force: Season of Creation prayers
The Mennonite
- Caring for God’s creation (April 2017 issue)
Paris 2015 climate change agreement
- Global climate deal: In summary – BBC (2pgs)
- A readers guide to the Paris agreement – The Atlantic (4pgs)
- Paris 2015 (COP 21) full agreement text
Other resources
- Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions
- Creation Justice Ministries small group resources: Environmental justice with indigenous peoples | Next Generation Rising (MCC is a member of CJM)
- Mennonite Creation Care Network
- NASA: Global climate change
- A Toolkit for Christian Community Engagement in the Implementation of the Clean Power Plan
International adaptation assistance
- MCC U.S. Washington Office adaptation summary (13pg)
- MCC U.S. Washington Office adaptation principles (1pg)
- MCC adaptation work in Kenya
- Green Climate Fund
- Supporting adaptation to climate change (International Institute for Environment and Development)
Statements & letters
- MCC: Stewards in God’s creation, 1994
- Mennonite Church USA: Creation Care Resolution 2013
- Mennonite Brethren: Confession of Faith, Art. 15: stewardship – God’s creation
- Brethren in Christ: Articles of faith and doctrine | Accents and issues: simple lifestyle
- Mennonite Education Agency investment fund adopts new climate change commitments (June 2020)
Photo credit: Communities such as La Vega del Volcán are scattered along ridges in the mountains of western Guatemala. The terrain leaves families little room to grow crops. MCC supports community cooperatives and initiatives to raise trout and flowers that started as part of MCC’s emergency response to a 2005 tropical storm. (MCC Photo/Melissa Engle)
MCC Washington Memo 