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2014 UN Convention on Climate Change in Germany

Mary Minette, Director of Environmental Advocacy

Backsliding

​​Fri. June 6, 2014

My hotel in Bonn has a “green roof”–this is the view out my window of the tiny plants that are keeping stormwater from running off the roof and polluting the nearby Rhine River.  Germany has a lot of environmental initiatives underway–I’ve seen tons of solar panels on rooftops, for example–but a German colleague tells me that the laws and policies that have encouraged investment in solar and other renewable energy technologies are under fire from politicians who consider them a waste of taxpayer dollars. Sounds familiar!

​Green RoofEarth

 

 

 

 

 

Although a number of U.S. states have led the way in pushing for wider adoption of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind, efforts are underway to undermine state renewable standards. Just last week in Columbus, the Ohio legislature passed legislation that proposes to freeze all the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards.  A similar effort to roll back a state renewable standard is underway in Minnesota, which has been a regional leader in fighting climate change. ​

Renewable energy standards like Ohio’s are one way that states could implement the carbon standards for power generation that were proposed this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency–expanding sources of clean, renewable energy is one way to reduce the use of coal and other fossil fuels to generate power.  The proposed carbon rule is getting a lot of positive attention in Bonn this week–it’s seen as the U.S. showing real leadership in the fight against climate change and a positive step as parties begin to negotiate a new climate treaty.  However, if states (and countries like Germany) scale back their commitment to renewable power it sends an unfortunate message–that we don’t consider renewable energy an important investment in our future–and jeopardizes our leadership on climate change.

bonn​

​​​Skyline of Bonn, Germany

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The “High Level” Meeting That Wasn’t

Wed. June 4, 2014​

​Today marks the beginning of what’s known as an intersessional meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.  Generally the annual Conference of the Parties to the convention is held in December and the location varies; these intersessional meetings happen in Bonn, where the UNFCCC secretariat has its offices.  This meeting is considered critical because the parties need to begin to agree on targets and measures for a new climate change agreement by the end of 2015, so these interim meetings are taking on a greater role.

​Or are they?

Conference Room

This meeting was supposed to begin with a two day “high level” meeting of ministers–senior government officials who are able to make pledges on behalf of their countries.  However, it turns out that very few ministers will be in attendance and many of the people gathered here in Bonn for the next two weeks are concerned that this signals a lack of commitment to the ongoing negotiations.  Oh, and the U.S. is one of the list of countries that hasn’t sent a minister (or minister equivalent) to Bonn–Special Envoy Todd Stern will not be here.

Does this signal a lack of commitment to global action on climate change by the U.S. government?  In a week where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its strongest proposal to date to cut US carbon dioxide emissions, maybe not.  But it certainly means that people who are concerned about climate change need to continue to push our leaders to make the issue a priority.

Living Earth Reflections: Fear and Hope

Mary Minette, ELCA Director of Environmental Advocacy

​May 2014​

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​”Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” – Matthew 8:26

Like the disciples in Matthew, we are only human and often fear the unknown, the disruptive, the strange. But as the disciples learned, faith in God can help to still our fears and generate hope even in the midst of disruption and storm. ​

Recently the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first and second parts of their fifth assessment on the current state of scientific research regarding climate change. The first part of the report once again confirmed that the majority of that research supports the conclusion that global average temperatures are increasing as a result of human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy, and that temperature increases are driving significant changes in earth’s climate.

The second section of the report, titled “Climate Change 2014: Impact, Adaptation and Vulnerability” confirms for the first time since the IPCC began releasing these assessments more than two decades ago that impacts of this human-caused climate change are now observable around the globe, and highlights the extreme vulnerability of low income people to these impacts both now and in the future. The IPCC report predicts with a high degree of certainty that climate change will have significant, negative impacts on global food security unless emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are cut dramatically. Rising temperatures and increased drought is already impacting staple crop yields in some regions, and those impacts will continue; the report also predicts declines in fish populations as ocean temperatures grow warmer — between 40 and 60 percent in tropical regions. It also outlines how freshwater resources are already under strain in many areas as glaciers retreat, endangering the water supplies that billions depend on for drinking, sanitation and growing crops.

Adding to this sense of urgency, on May 6 the White House released the third National Climate Assessment, a report summarizing contributions from scientists working for government agencies, academic institutions and non-profit organizations around the United States. The report outlined the current impacts that climate change is having around the country, ranging from coastal flooding to extreme drought.

These reports are pretty frightening, and they could lead us to the kind of hand-wringing fatalism engaged in by Christ’s disciples in the story told in Matthew: before Jesus wakes and calms the waters, they are loudly proclaiming their imminent death, having lost sight of the fact that they have the Son of God on the boat with them.

When something big and momentous (and scary) is about to happen in Scripture, God often sends a messenger to those who will be most affected. He sends an angel to Mary to tell her that she will bear the Son of God — and his first words to her are, “Do not be afraid.” Mary responds positively to this message, praising God and rejoicing in this gift. In contrast, when her kinsman Zechariah prays for a child, and God sends an angel to tell him, “Do not be afraid,” and that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a child, he rejects the message and God strikes him mute until the event comes to pass. Zechariah, like the disciples, gives in to his fear.

So how should we respond to the big, scary news in the IPCC reports? Do we let our fear rule and throw up our hands, proclaiming that the end is near? Do we ignore the message (and the messengers) like Zechariah and fail to see that God offers us hope in the midst of troubles?

Or do we put our faith in God and live in the hope of the risen Christ, rejoicing in the abilities that we have been given to adapt and respond to this challenge? Instead of giving in to despair, can we welcome the opportunity to change our hearts and our ways, embracing what can be done to use less energy, to move to a fossil-free energy future and to help our most vulnerable neighbors adapt to weather extremes and other climate impacts?

Climate change is happening, but do not be afraid. God is with us.

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Want to learn more about ELCA’s commitment to advocating for public policy that supports the care for creation?  

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Lutheran Pastors Travel to D.C. to Advocate for the World’s Most Vulnerable

Tia Upchurch-Freelove, ELCA Advocacy Office

May 14, 2014

​Last week, faith leaders from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak out in support of f​​unding for life-saving humanitarian and poverty-focused development assistance (PFDA) programs.

Two ELCA pastors, the Rev. Amy Truhe and the Rev. John Backus, joined these leaders on Capitol Hill to share their commitment to promoting the dignity of all people, including the world’s most vulnerable. The Rev. Amy Truhe serves as pastor for Scherer Memorial Lutheran Church in Chapman, Kan. The Rev. John Backus visited from Trinity Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb., where he co-pastors with his wife, the Rev. Liz Backus.

I met with Pastor Truhe and Pastor Backus before their day on Capitol Hill to ask why they felt compelled to advocate for policies that provide support to those living in poverty and suffering from hunger.

Pastor Amy Truhe_Pastor John Backus

Pastor John Backus: My son is from Thailand and is 29 years old. When I adopted him he was between 3 and 5 years old. When I got him he was dying of malnutrition. It was a year of having enough to eat every day and having all the things he could ask for as a child growing up in rural Minnesota before he stopped hiding food in his room … before I could get him to stop stealing from his playmates. … That changed him and he is still repairing the damage done. Every child on the face of the planet that goes to bed hungry is a threat to the safety and security of those who have enough to eat.

Pastor Amy Truhe: We are so immensely gifted that we don’t understand what we have. My sister [who was adopted from Korea] was left in a box because her mother didn’t have enough and couldn’t take care of her child. How horrible for a mother to have to make that decision! I am here because I feel passionate about this.

Pastor Truhe went on to describe that even after working with children who live in the U.S. and have experienced extreme poverty here, it is still difficult to imagine living in a place where those who are hungry cannot even attempt to scrounge for food because there are no extras.

After the pastors met with congressional offices, I caught up with Pastor Backus to ask how his experience has helped shape or alter the way he views advocacy in the ELCA.

Pastor John Backus: I am glad that the ELCA is involved in advocacy for those who have less than they need. It is important, as we give aid to people and help them become more food-safe, that we ask [those in] power the question, “Why do hunger and need continue to exist on a planet of abundance?”

I will be telling other ELCA Nebraskans what a positive experience we had in D.C. … I will also encourage people to speak with their representative[s] and senator[s], [to tell] those folk of their concern for the world’s poor. 

We thank Pastor Backus and Pastor Truhe for their hard work and dedication to ELCA’s advocacy efforts.

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Do you feel inspired to help feed the hungry and fight poverty? Your gifts are urgently needed to support out church’s response to the root causes of hunger and poverty.

Visit ELCA World Hunger to donate today!​

“Our God Shows Up to Fight for Justice” – Reflections on Advocacy Efforts Throughout the World

Lauren Blatt, MDiv Student, Lutheran Theological Seminary – Pennsylvania

​May 12, 2014​

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Last week, the Lutheran Office for World Community (NY) hosted the 2014 Nolde Seminar on Theology and Human Rights. The seminar explores questions about the dignity of human life, its relation to Christian and spiritual values, and the challenges facing the international community. ​This call to focus on international human rights was inspired by Dr. Frederick Nolde​ and his family. Dr. Nolde was Dean of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and taught Christian Education from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. He helped influence the UN Charter in promoting global human rights, and wrote the Religious Freedom section in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  ​

​Lauren Blatt, ​who is presently attending the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia to achieve a Master’s of Divinity, gives us her insights into the 2014 Seminar below.​

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​Finding God’s Work

The thing about God is that you can never be quite sure what God is up to… As people of faith, we look at the entire world through theological spectacles even when we don’t try. It’s not a conscious recollection of what God has done in our lives or a realization of what God is doing in our lives. This is just how we see the world and how we see God. That is not to say that we don’t get angry or throw our hands toward the heavens in exhaustion and wonder at times why God has yet to make things right. We expect quick answers, we expect our infinite and intimate God to topple the systems of oppression in our society, but that is not quite who our God is…Our God is a God who shows up in the suffering. Our God shows up in the last reasonable place we would ever think to look. Our God shows up in a stable, walking the dusty roads, and on a cross to die the death of a criminal.

What is more, our God shows up to fight for justice with us. Our God accompanies us as we consider the evils of our society. Our God opens our eyes and breaks our hearts when the least, the last and the lost experience great upsets—Suddenly we realize that WE ARE the least, the last, and the lost. We realize that we have nothing more than the marginalized, the downtrodden, or the heartbroken. We have what they have, namely Jesus the Christ.

​Over a three-day stint we met with members of the United Nations community. We met with people affiliated with faith-based organizations, and we met with individuals who worked on a strictly secular basis. We heard speakers from across the world and within various different disciples. We heard about apartheid in the Holy Land, the reconciliation efforts in South Africa, the global food crisis, and many other important topics. We were exhausted, not simply because we were jam packed with speakers, but because we were moved and propelled by the Holy Spirit to consider action. Our hearts were moved by God through the mouth of every speaker to seek justice and love mercy, all the while knowing that Christ walks with us in our times of great triumph and immeasurable pain.

Nolde_4_Ambassador Mashabane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We began to recognize the myth that our church is dying—that all churches are dying. We were moved to realize that our God is doing something amazing in this world, our God is doing something incredible in this world, our God is doing something in this world—it is so bright. God is not finished with this world, and our God loves us more than anything we could ever imagine. Our God is a God of abundance—abundant love, blessing, perseverance, and above all abundant accompaniment—our God will never leave us. ​

Living Through Christ

The author of the Gospel of Luke writes (referring to Jesus), “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…” There is nothing that gets to the heart of disappointment, the heart of what it meant to be human than to say, “We had hoped”. It refers to the disciples’ hope that Jesus was the one that they had waited for throughout history—the one who would finally take away the pain. The disciples knew what it was like to live in a world of sin and death. Even after Jesus is raised from the dead, it is clear that the disciples and the rest of the human populace still live in a world of sin and death—they still live in a field of crosses. Each and every one of us is still hanging on the cross because we have not yet been raised. A life lived for Christ, a life propelled by Christ, is a life that is lived cruciform. We live in relationship to God (vertically), but the only way that this relationship works is through the relationships that we have (horizontally) with our brothers and sisters on earth. It is through our love for our neighbors that we are able to love God. When we realize that Christ is in every person our hearts burn in the knowing, but our hearts also burn with justice—knowing that the grace that God has given us is one that demands a response. This response remains separate from our salvation, but it is a response that happens when the grace of God overflows from our cups.

The reality of the United Nations is one that we, as Christians, and as humans can be proud of… like Mother Theresa writes, “We have forgotten that we belong to one another”. We belong to each other. We are all one. We must take action against sin, death, and the devil—we must take action against injustice because every human has inalienable rights that reflect the human’s relationship to God. We are made in God’s image and because of this reality we are bearers of God. God resides in us, our faces reflect the face of God, and actions against humanity—crimes against humanity, against human dignity are against God. There is much work to be done in our world, and we recognize how easy it is to throw our hands in the air after pure exhaustion, but the reality is that our God calls us to action. To steal the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s phrase, “It’s God’s work, our hands”.

Jonathan, Trena, Joshua, Theresa, Jessica, Daniel, and I were honored to spend time with representatives to the United Nations and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Want to learn more about ELCA’s commitment to advocating for public policy that creates opportunities to overcome poverty, promotes peace and justice, and supports the care for creation?

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State Advocacy Spotlight: California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California

May 2, 2014

Water issues

California’s unprecedented drought – continue to receive attention from the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California (LOPP-CA), as legislators and stakeholders contentiously negotiate a multi-billion dollar general obligation bond proposals for the November election ballot, which would invest in water efficiency, supply, reliability, and watershed and ecosystem health.   As compromise remains elusive and a late June deadline looms, one legislative author has a daily countdown posted on his Capitol door, stating the remaining number of days to “‘AQUAPOCOLYPSE”.

CA_Oil and Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water from far Northern California rivers is pumped out of the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta and transported via aqueducts to Southern California.  Massive pumps in Kern County, near Interstate 5, push water over the Tehachapi Mountains in Los Angeles.  Debates over the amount and timing of water transfers, and end uses of water, are part of the perpetual “water wars” in California. 

LOPP-CA director Mark Carlson was one of four presenters for an Earth Week webinar on The Sacredness of Water, produced by DC-based Creation Justice Ministries, offering a perspective on the drought.   One subtext of the water debates and choices underway involves low-income, disadvantaged rural and urban communities in California that lack safe drinking water (other than expensive bottled water), because of groundwater contamination by agricultural or industrial chemicals. LOPP-CA is a co-host, with other partners, in the gala premier of the documentary film Thirsty for Justice – The Struggle for the Human Right to Water, at the California Museum Theater on May 14. http://ejcw.org/thirsty/

The Spanish translation and dvd reproduction for this film, making it accessible to many of those who are affected by the lack of clean water, are partially funded by ELCA World Hunger.  One segment of the film addresses the lack of clean water for drinking and hygiene for people who are homeless.

 

Immigration Day at the Capitol – May 19

Immigrant Day at the Capitol is when LOPP-CA seeks to engage Lutherans in standing with California’s diverse immigrant communities in celebrating their gifts and advancing their policy concerns, which this year will include access to health care for all.

 

Hunger Action Day – May 21

The Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California is working with the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, LEVN, to participate in this annual Capitol advocacy day focused on poverty and hunger.  LEVN is a program of The Belfry, the Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of California at Davis.  LEVN participants, similar to the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, are placed for a year with various Sacramento-Davis area social service agencies and non-profits, including Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (focus on youth and young adults aging out of foster care), the Alchemist Community Development Corporation (farmers’ markets and SNAP nutrition outreach), and People Reaching Out (SNAP outreach).   Last year, LOPP-CA organized an initial “Day at the Capitol” for LEVN participants and staff that included meeting with legislators.

Visit the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California at http://www.loppca.org or follow them on facebook.

State Advocacy Spotlight: New Jersey

Sara Lilja, Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry (LOGM)

May 2, 2014

 

Following the Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh this past summer Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry (LOGM) in New Jersey is witnessing the Spirit move in our midst.  Our state legislature and governor are ready to act on criminal justice reform, as so are we.  After the wider church agreed to its newest Social Statement, “The Church and Criminal Justice:  Hearing the Cries” we set out visiting congregations and communities hearing about the need for reform in the criminal justice system in NJ specifically in the areas of Bail and Sentencing reform, and Parole/ Re-entry issues among others.  At the same time our elected officials were doing similar listening.  Now legislation is moving! LOGM is supporting several bills and engaging congregations to assist these “grass roots ideas” to more through both houses, and onto the governor’s desk to be made into law.

Through this Social Statement we are reminded that, “Individuals must be held accountable, but every person in the criminal justice system deserves to be seen and treated as a member of human communities, created in the image of God and worthy of appropriate and compassionate response. “

To this end, we are advocating for passage of the Presumptive Parole Act, which would allow for the release of certain nonviolent offenders upon their first parole eligibility Senate (Bill 677), We are also advocating for Senate Bill 947/Assembly Bill 1910 which would restructure our bail system so that people are not held behind bars while awaiting trail simply because they cannot afford to pay for their release.  We are also working on a bill known as “The Opportunity to Compete Act” which would end the practice of asking on the front page of a job application if the applicant had ever been convicted of a crime, even before they had an interview for the job.

These are not bills that are soft of crime, they are rather more just administration of the law so that we can reduce the number of persons held prison in our state.  Once released exoffenders must be able to get a job and rebuild their lives with hope for a brighter future for themselves and for our communities.

“For what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Want to learn more about the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry in New Jersey? Check them out on facebook (www.facebook.com/logmnj).​

State Advocacy Spotlight: Illinois

Jennifer De Leon, Lutheran Advocacy – Illinois

May 1, 2014

 

The days are getting longer, so spring must be here. That means that the Illinois Spring legislative session is in full swing and so is Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois. Below are three ways you can get involved!

We are happy to announce that we have made major improvements to our website. On our website you will find a complete list of issues we are working on this session as well as a get involved section where we will highlight specific issues that require immediate attention. Visit us at www.Lutheranadvocacy.org

Our new Facebook page is also up and running. On our page we will post information about specific campaigns and issues as they are happening in Springfield  www.facebook.com/LutheranAdvocacyIllinois

10th Anniversary of Lutheran Day

Lutheran Day Illinois.png

This year is the 10th Anniversary of Lutheran Day in Springfield. Please join us on May 13, 2014  in Springfield as we build relationships with public officials, showcase the active engagement of Lutherans in pursuing the common good, and build camaraderie among Lutheran advocates in Illinois. To register and for more information, please go tohttp://www.lutheranday.org/. ​

State Advocacy Spotlight: Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale and The Rev. Amy Reumann, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa)

Creating A New Conversation about Poverty

May 1, 2014

 

LAMPa is helping Pennsylvania lawmakers get beyond rhetoric so 1.6 million Pennsylvanians can get beyond poverty. Last summer, House Majority Policy Committee Chairman David Reed, a Republican serving rural Indiana County, approached LAMPa, along with other faith advocates, and asked us to help create a new kind of discussion around poverty in order to move past entrenched partisan views and divisions.

Over the past several months Rep. Reed and his committee traveled the state to visit anti-poverty programs and hear from advocates. LAMPa connected the committee to Lutherans in ministry with and on behalf of the poor in Pennsylvania who shared their stories.  On Monday, Reed unveiled “Beyond Poverty,” the first report stemming from visits and interviews around the commonwealth.  In it, he outlines a five-prong strategy for helping to move some 1.6 million Pennsylvanians from poverty to lives of self-sustainability.  As the process moves forward, LAMPa continues to engage Lutherans with lawmakers on this subject.

On May 6, Reed will address more than 100 people at Lutheran Day in the Capitol.  Attendees are then invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with committee members and staff. That discussion will be followed by a workshop on communal discernment around poverty led by the Rev. William Snyder, LAMPa policy council member and Vice President Marketing and Philanthropy at Luthercare.  We will be using the report of the ELCA’s Communal Discernment Task Force as a tool. The goal of the workshop is to equip Lutherans to move beyond partisan rhetoric and engage in authentic dialogue about the roots and tolls of poverty as well as our call to seek sufficient, sustainable livelihood for all.

Want to learn more? Check out LAMPa’s website and follow them on facebook (LAMPaAdvocacy) and twitter(@LAMPaADVOCACY)!​

State Advocacy Spotlight: Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

May 1, 2014

WI_LOPPW

 

 

 

 

Human trafficking has been on Wisconsin’s legislative radar over the past year.  Recently Governor Scott Walker signed a bill that includes redefining the meaning of consent for victims of human trafficking.  More legislative efforts on trafficking will continue in the next session.

Currently I am working with Amy Hartman, an ELCA diaconal minister and the national executive director of Cherish All Children, to create a plan for working together to develop a team of ELCA members in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.  These team members would be the go-to people for sharing information about human trafficking with the synod and for responding to legislative concerns.  The two LOPPW Advisory Council members from that synod will be involved.  This work is part of an effort to create advocacy teams around the state that may vary according to local interests and needs, but will have statewide legislative ties.

Another advisory council member, from the northern part of Wisconsin in an area that is part of the Northern Great Lakes Synod, and I are discussing leading two half-day workshops on LOPPW’s work and hunger issues in two different cities in northern Wisconsin in the fall.

I also look forward to leading workshops on LOPPW at two synod assemblies and representing ELCA World Hunger at another synod assembly soon.

To learn more about the work of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin, visit their website or check them out onfacebook!​

State Advocacy Spotlight: Washington

Elise Scott and Paul Benz, Faith Action Network

April 30, 2014

 

Lutheran advocacy in the state of Washington had a positive and significant impact on the 2014 legislative session.

During the course of the session, Faith Action Network advocated for the passage of the Dream Act, increases to the budget for state food assistance as well as for the breakfast after the bell bill, four separate bills regarding issues of wage theft, multiple bills related to dismantling the culture of violence through higher education in prisons and the sealing of juvenile records, and for a bill allowing state employees and students to take two unpaid holidays a year for reasons of religion or conscience.  Although not all of these bills passed, several, including the Dream Act, sealing of juvenile records, the bill allowing for unpaid holidays for religious reasons, and minor increases in the budget for food and hunger related issues, passed and Governor Inslee signed them into law.

Furthermore, Faith Action Network dropped its first bill ever.  The bill continued efforts to prevent human trafficking in the state of Washington by making it a felony for an employer to possess an employee’s immigration documents by threat or coercion of involuntary servitude.  The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and Governor Inslee signed it into law on March 19, 2014.

Faith Action Network continues its advocacy efforts in regards to Initiative 594 which creates universal background checks.  Through endorsements by faith communities throughout the state, FAN hopes to help this initiative pass into law in November.

To learn more about Faith Action Network’s advocacy efforts visit their website or follow them on facebook(faithactionnetwork) and twitter (@FaithActionWA).