To say that last month was hot is an understatement.
Data released this week showed that July was the hottest month ever recorded. With multiple heat waves in North America and Europe, catastrophic melting of the ice sheet in Greenland, and enormous forest fires in the Russian Arctic, climate change is making its effect known across the world.
The effects and consequences of climate change are not evenly distributed. Many parts of the United States have already warmed by over two degrees Celsius since 1895–far above the global average in the same period.
From crop failures to heat waves to flooding, the most vulnerable communities and regions are already suffering disproportionately, and that disparity will only increase.
In addressing climate change, we must also address the systemic injustice that it reflects. We must ensure that vulnerable communities harmed by climate change do not suffer further from the steps taken to address it.
That is one of FCNL’s carbon pricing principles, which helps guide our environmental advocacy. A price on carbon is a key tool to address climate change, and it has been gaining momentum. Six carbon pricing bills have been introduced this year in Congress—several supported by both Democrats and Republicans. Read a comparison of all six bills. FCNL has not endorsed any specific bill, but we are very encouraged by the progress towards implementing this important tool.
We will always look for ways to support laws consistent with our values and our grounding as people of faith. Impelled by both the sacred and the practical, and inspired by Quaker testimonies, we seek an earth restored.
