Environmental Justice articles - 2003

These articles originally appeared in Connections, the newsletter of the North Central New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.

January 2003 Driven by Values

What would Jesus do? Christians ask themselves this question when they face the often-difficult choices they confront in daily life. Recently, the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) used a variation of this question - “What Would Jesus Drive?” – in a campaign that stresses that transportation is a moral issue. EEN selected this campaign name because one of the things we choose to do is to drive.

Some people have objected to the name of this campaign. Regardless of the name, though, the campaign is a serious and sincere effort to apply Jesus’ teachings to one of our daily choices that most harms God’s creation.

Here’s an excerpt from the campaign’s Call to Action:

“The Risen Lord Jesus is concerned about the kinds of cars we drive because they affect his people and his creation.

Obeying Jesus in our transportation choices is one of the great Christian obligations and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Pollution from vehicles has a major impact on human health and the rest of God's creation. It contributes significantly to the threat of global warming. Our reliance on imported oil from unstable regions threatens peace and security.

Making transportation choices that threaten millions of human beings violates Jesus' basic commandments: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mk. 12:30-31); and ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Lk. 6:31).”

Many Christian leaders signed this Call to Action. Some you may recognize include:

As one of the denominations comprising the National Council of Churches, The United Methodist Church is participating in a similar campaign called Driven by Values: Protect God’s Creation. This campaign states that

“Leading experts agree that human activities have contributed to a steady shift in the atmosphere. By putting our own needs above the integrity and perfection of God’s creation, we are violating our covenant with God and our stewardship of creation. As citizens of an industrialized society responsible for creating greenhouse gases that cause global warming, we must take steps to reverse this trend. One place to begin is with the cars we drive.”

This campaign asks people of faith to choose:

This campaign also calls on automakers to manufacture cleaner, more efficient cars. The National Academy of Science has determined that this could be done without hurting American workers and without compromising vehicle safety. It would also save consumers money.

For more information about the Driven by Values campaign, visit the Interfaith Climate Change Network. You can send an email from this website telling Ford, GM, and Chrysler executives that you support the development of vehicles that use hybrid-electric, fuel cell, and other clean technologies. You can let your elected leaders know that you’re in favor of conservation policies that invest in renewable energy, limit pollution and drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, and increase gas mileage standards in ways that are just.

For theologically based Fact Sheets discussing why transportation is a moral issue, go to What Would Jesus Drive?.

February 2003 Start an EcoTeam!

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church remind us that “all creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it.” (¶ 64).

We may be responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse God’s creation … but even with the best intentions, we don’t always know what that means for our daily choices. The Household EcoTeam program is one way to learn:

“We commend to our churches and United Methodist families a new ‘human scale’ program to help save the earth. . . . This program can be organized by small groups of friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers, who form an EcoTeam to support one another in working on monthly action areas such as reducing garbage, improving home water and energy efficiency, eco-wise consuming, and so forth.”
 - UMC Book of Resolutions

Interestingly, the EcoTeam Program is similar in many ways to the Methodist Class System, which was instrumental in building The Methodist Church. In this system, each member is accountable to the “class” (group) for fulfilling their commitment; BUT the group is also accountable to each of its members to help them fulfill their commitment.

What is an EcoTeam?

An EcoTeam consists of 4-8 households working together to create a sustainable lifestyle. The team meets seven times over a period of months. The first meeting is a team-building meeting, and the other six cover the topics of garbage, energy, water, transportation, consumption, and empowering others. Between meetings, the members implement the lifestyle changes they agreed to make. Some people may choose to make big changes and some may choose to make small changes, but they all make progress toward a sustainable lifestyle.

Why start an EcoTeam?

This is a well-organized, time-tested program that is used all over the United States by all sorts of groups. If your church is just starting to think about stewardship of God’s creation and environmental justice, this might be a good program for you. It can be a success even with relatively few households participating.

Why be a part of an EcoTeam?

Money One reason is that you can save money! Past experience has shown that EcoTeam members typically save between $265-$389 a year, far exceeding the $38 cost of the workbook.

Fellowship Another reason to join the EcoTeam program is that it’s a great opportunity to get to know other people in the congregation as you work together on the nitty-gritty of daily life choices. Think of it as an environmental K-group.

Stewardship Being part of an EcoTeam is a significant time commitment of approximately 40-50 hours. If we take seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation, though, what could be a better investment of your time?

For more information about the Household EcoTeam Program:

March 2003 Earth Sunday 2003 - Waters of Life: Enough for All

Even school children know that water is one of the basic necessities of life. Here in New York State we may have the occasional drought, but usually we can take it for granted that we’ll have enough clean water for our daily needs.

But consider these alarming facts:

Water has always been a concern in some areas of the world, but sufficient clean, fresh water is becoming a crisis in more and more areas of the world. This problem will affect all of us, but as with other environmental problems, it impacts impoverished people the most.

Each year, the National Council of Churches provides worship resources suitable for the current year’s Earth Day theme. In 1999, the theme was “Sustainable Living”; in 2000, “Good Stewards of God’s Gift of Energy”; in 2001, “Witnessing to the Resurrection: God’s Caring for Creation”; and in 2002, “Caring for God’s Creation: Making the World Safe for Children”. All of these Earth Sunday resources are still available, and they can be incorporated into any of our worship services. After all, any Sunday is a good Sunday for reflection on how our stewardship of God’s creation affects the health and well being of the world’s people today and of future generations!

This year, Earth Sunday is April 27, and again there are many resources available related to this year’s theme “Waters of Life: Enough for All”. You’ll find reflections, sermon starters, bulletin inserts, a Call to Worship, a Responsive Prayer, facts about water, links to more information, and ideas for taking action in our own congregations and in our own lives as Christians. Our UMC Social Principles “On Nature” and many of our GBCS Resolutions provide more guidance on water issues.

It’s not too early to begin planning for an Earth Sunday worship service that reminds us that good stewardship of our local, regional, and national water resources is an important way to bring justice to people in the world today, to future generations, and to all of God’s creation.

April 2003 Help Your Church Grounds Spring to Life

Even those of us who treasure the change of seasons here in the Northeast are eager for spring. Spring is a time for new life and new beginnings. As we venture outdoors this spring, why not help our church grounds spring to life?

Chemical pesticides and fertilizers

One of the most important ways we can do this is to stop using pesticides on our church grounds. Is that perfect lawn achieved by using these poisons worth the risk to human health and to wildlife? Time and again, products we had assumed were safe have later been found to be hazardous and subsequently banned. Our children are especially at risk because of their smaller body weight and tendency to put things in their mouths. They are even at risk indoors since we track these poisons inside on our shoes. Wildlife – especially our songbirds, amphibians and beneficial insects – are also killed and sickened by these poisons.

This year’s Earth Sunday theme is “Waters of Life: Enough for All.” One way to be a good steward of our fresh water is to avoid the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. These fertilizers wash off into storm drains and then into our rivers and lakes, creating dead zones.

What to do instead? First, accept having a “good enough” lawn. Next, follow recommended lawn care practices: mow high, leave your clippings on the lawn, and water infrequently but deeply. If you need to fertilize, choose organic fertilizers. Finally, consider replacing some of your lawn with other plantings.

Choice of plants

Take a look at what trees and bushes you’ve planted. Think about what flowers you’re going to choose. Why not choose those that God provided for us right here in North and Central New York? Not only do these native plants honor and celebrate our place on the planet, but they also provide what our native wildlife needs. They’re an integral part of the natural systems God created. Check the Stewardship Garden website for some links to information on plant choices.

Meditation garden

And now that you’ve created a healthy outdoor environment that celebrates God’s creation, why not make it a spiritual asset? Consider creating a meditation area on your church grounds, perhaps with a few comfortable benches. Many people will welcome this additional peaceful place for quiet meditation and for worshipping God!

May 2003 Tired? Overworked? Stressed out? Then take back your time!

If you’re tired, overworked, and stressed out, you’re not alone! Americans are putting in longer hours on the job than we did in the 1950s and more than do citizens in other industrialized countries. In fact, we work 350 hours a year – nearly nine full weeks – longer than people in Western Europe do. Not only do we work more hours per week, but we also average only about 2 weeks of vacation a year compared to 5-6 weeks for Europeans!

Why is this a concern for the faith community?

Fatigue and lack of time are probably the most frequent reasons people can’t make the effort to develop spiritually, to fully participate in church life, or to work on social action projects. Fatigue and lack of time are often why people can’t make an effort to be good stewards of God’s creation.

And these are reasons not just excuses. We’ve slipped into a hurry-up, multitasking, mandatory-overtime lifestyle. We really don’t have enough time or energy to nurture relationships with God, family, and friends or to just enjoy being with people at church and in the community. We really don’t have time or energy to appreciate the natural gifts God has given – like the joy of watching a bird taking a bath, the beauty of wildflowers, or taking a walk in the woods. We may give money to worthy causes, but we really don’t have the time and energy to do what it takes to truly make a difference – like calling a Congressman to advocate for responsible public policies, working in a soup kitchen, or taking a moment to turn off lights we aren’t using so we don’t create excess power plant pollution.

It’s not the work … it’s the balance

The problem is not work itself. Where would we be without the daily work and dedication of millions of Americans? But we need to consider the balance between work and other parts of our lives, and the trade-offs we may be making to earn money just to buy more. Do our personal and societal time choices reflect our faith-based values of spirituality and service, of strong families and communities, of active citizenship and social justice, of good health and a clean environment?

Plan a “Take Back Your Time” event

In response to this epidemic of overwork and overscheduling, a coalition of organizations is promoting a national “Take Back Your Time” Day on Friday October 24, 2003. This date was selected because it falls nine weeks before the end of the year, making the point that we Americans now work nine weeks more each year than do Western Europeans.

Perhaps you’d like to organize a “Take Back Your Time” event at your church or in your community. This would be an opportunity for some good conversation about how we can live more balanced lives that are in tune with our Christian values. For more information about this national effort or for resources and assistance in organizing an event visit www.timeday.org or call 206-443-6747.

June 2003: Transforming the world on earth

Are we Christians because we want to get into heaven … or because through Jesus we can help transform the world into what it was meant to be? This was the question Tony Campolo asked us on Palm Sunday at University UMC in Syracuse as he challenged us to transform the world. He challenged adults in their working years, but especially our youth and our retired folks to participate in this transformation.

At the luncheon following the service, Tony shared his deep concern about how we’re rapidly destroying the earth and its life-giving services. He has seen the deforestation in Haiti firsthand and its effects on the poor. He is concerned about the plight of island nations, some of which have already disappeared under the rising oceans caused by global warming. And these are only two of many environmental problems dramatically affecting impoverished people all over the world. In response, Campolo started an evangelical organization called Target Earth to address environmental problems such as these.

He is distressed that we Americans, comprising just a small percentage of the world’s population, are consuming a greatly disproportionate share of the world’s resources – a symptom of our “affluenza”. Ironically, although as the world’s wealthiest nation we contribute greatly to creating these problems, we will be among the last to feel their effects.

Campolo is also concerned about the environmental problems we’re creating for our grandchildren. With respect to the earth, Tony once again urges us to work to transform the world into what it was meant to be.

The opportunity to hear the inspiring message of Tony Campolo came just a few weeks after another inspiring experience: attending the UMC Church and Society meeting in Washington, D.C. Although as Environmental Justice Coordinator I attended the workshops on Environmental Justice, I had the opportunity to learn about other social action issues from my roommate, from others at mealtimes, and during plenary sessions. These educational opportunities culminated with inspiring worship services.

Although my particular passion and mission is environmental justice, I was deeply impressed and inspired by the passion and the sense of mission of all the people attending the conference. For some, it was working to eliminate the death penalty, for others, gambling, for still others, commitment to the Bread for the World program, among many other issues.

Campolo may not be from the United Methodist tradition, but he certainly shares our tradition of passion and commitment to social action. Social change begins, Campolo said, by individuals catching a vision, being transformed, and - through Jesus - becoming confident they can do great things.

Regardless of their particular passions, the people attending the Church and Society conference had caught their vision, were being transformed, and – through Jesus – were becoming confident they could do great things.

The world has a great variety of problems – environmental problems, hunger, addictions, poverty, and many, many more. What is your vision and passion? How are you working to transform the world into what it was meant to be? Through Jesus, YOU can do great things!

July 2003 Energy Values: Justice and Sustainability

All United Methodist churches, annual conferences, general boards and agencies are to be models for energy conservation by doing such things as: installing dampers in furnaces, insulating adequately all church properties, heating and lighting only rooms that are in use, using air circulation, purchasing energy efficient appliances, and exploring alternative energy sources such as solar energy. Local churches, camps, and agencies are urged to become involved in programs such as the Energy Stewardship Congregation program, thereby witnessing our shared values of justice and sustainability.

~ Excerpt from the UMC’s Energy Policy Statement (The UMC’s entire Energy Policy Statement is online or see Social Principles, ¶160B.

Stewardship of our use of energy is an important way we can witness our values of justice and sustainability. Flipping the switch when we need more light or turning the thermostat up when we’re cold is just a part of everyday life. But what we don’t see is that when we flip the switch or turn up the thermostat the pollution from power plants that provide the energy leads to health problems such as asthma, upper respiratory problems, and premature deaths for everyone, but disproportionately among minorities. The energy our buildings use also contributes to global warming.

So what can your church do to be a “model for energy conservation” mentioned in our Energy Policy Statement? One good way to start is to get a comprehensive energy audit of your building. Most of us in New York State are fortunate to have energy audits available from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Depending on your current energy usage, you can have an energy audit done by an approved contractor for as little as $200. The good news is that this money can be applied toward the recommended energy conservation measures, making the audit essentially free! Contact NYSERDA or call 1-866-NYSERDA for more information.

Another excellent resource is EPA’s Putting Energy into Stewardship workbook, a very clear, step-by-step guide to conserving energy in church buildings. The entire workbook is online or you can call 1-888-STAR-YES to get a hard copy.

Here’s an example of how one church saved energy, saved money, and created a more comfortable building. Bethesda Lutheran in Ames, IA upgraded its 35,000 sq. ft. church’s energy efficiency, and is saving about $5,000 annually. The 71,428 kWh saved will prevent about 100,286 pounds of CO2 emissions each year. Bethesda Lutheran’s business administrator said, “The rooms are more comfortable, lighting in the halls is good, and our gas and electric bills are lower.” They achieved the savings by replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent (CFLs), and installed computer controls to heat/cool only occupied rooms. They purchased new energy efficient freezers for the food pantry/kitchen, and installed new storm windows over the stained glass windows. (From the Energy Star for Congregations website.)

You can see that conserving energy and using energy efficiently doesn’t mean you’ll be shivering in the dark! Also note that these energy improvements are one-time costs, but the energy and financial savings and the increased comfort continue year after year after year.

But most important, by taking steps to conserve energy and use energy efficiently you’ll be creating fewer health problems, preventing further global warming, and your church will be a witness to our United Methodist values of justice and sustainability.

August 2003 Do all the good you can …

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” ~ John Wesley

You may still be sitting on the beach or in the shade of a tree enjoying summer, but it’s not too early to think ahead to what you want to do this year at church! As John Wesley taught, United Methodists must be Christians in word and deed – not just in works of piety, but also in works of mercy. He knew what he was talking about. Just think what a different world it would be if every United Methodist chose just one “work” as their mission and put all their talent and enthusiasm into it!

Here are some projects – one just might be your mission!

Energy use - Get an energy audit and implement its recommendations. Conserving energy and using electricity efficiently will help prevent additional power plant pollution, which will help prevent health problems and the consequences of further global warming.

Justice coffee – Buy Fair Trade, shade-grown, organic coffee to use for church functions, and educate your congregation about the issues involved. Make it available for congregants to purchase for home use. You’ll be serving up not just a cup of good coffee, but also justice for coffee farmers, justice for our own migratory birds, and justice for the earth!

Church grounds - Are pesticides, herbicides and other poisons being used on your church grounds? Reduce lawn areas and replace them with native trees, bushes and perennials, and accept a “good enough” lawn for what remains. You’ll be protecting the health of people, pets, and wildlife!

Green events – How you hold a meeting or event is just as important as the content of the event. The UMC Women’s Division publishes an excellent guide called “Green Guidance” that gives tips on planning church events so that they reflect care of God’s creation - the earth and its people.

Take back your time – “Time is money”… or is it? The slogan for the “Take Back Your Time” campaign is “Because time is more than money.” Isn’t that statement more consistent with our Christian values? If this is your mission, organize an event on October 24 (the official “Take Back Your Time Day”) or an ongoing program to explore the issue of time in the life of a Christian in America. (See www.simpleliving.net/timeday.)

One of these projects may be how you choose to take action in your church this coming year or you may have a different mission. But whatever you choose to do, next summer you’ll be sitting on the beach or in the shade of a tree in a more just world because of the work of each United Methodist.

September 2003“I am spending my children's inheritance”

So says one of the most common bumper stickers. Of course, its intended meaning is that after a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice for one’s children, the retiree is going to use their money to enjoy life. They’re not going to deprive themselves for the sake of leaving more money for their children to enjoy instead. Who can argue with that?

But when I see this bumper sticker, I think of a different message. Far more important than money is the kind of world our children are inheriting. When I think about what the world’s children and their children truly need, I think of clean air, clean water, topsoil, freedom from poisons and pollutants, healthy ecosystems, and most of all, a stable climate. When it comes to these necessities of life, we truly are spending our children’s God-given inheritance.

Some examples of what the world’s children are inheriting

What the faith community can do

The church is one of the few institutions in our society that affirms the importance of things other than material affluence and convenience. The way we live our institutional and personal lives is a powerful example to the rest of society. Consider your church’s use of energy and its members’ transportation choices. Do they reflect concern about their role in pollution and in producing global warming? Perhaps your church’s most outwardly visible evidence of its care of God’s creation is its land. Is it free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers? Does it provide habitat for God’s nonhuman creatures? Are your church’s purchasing decisions (for example, purchasing post-consumer recycled, processed chlorine-free paper) consistent with our Christian values? And do our worship services express concern for God’s creation and affirm our stewardship role?

A special role for senior citizens

Although we’re all part of the problem, senior citizens can be an especially important part of the solution. Having seen more of life than their grandchildren’s parents, they have a longer perspective on their grandchildren’s future. Now free of the day-to-day responsibilities of raising a family, they have more time to devote to exploring solutions to our environmental problems. As the most respected members of our church family, senior citizens can make a difference by working for environmental justice in their own congregations.

Preserving our children’s inheritance

We are currently spending our children’s most precious inheritance: a livable planet. But as our UM Environmental Stewardship Resolution says, “With new hope rooted in Christ and with more obedient living as stewards of the earth, the creation can be healed.” When we begin to fulfill our Christian role as stewards of God’s creation, we can create a new bumper sticker that reads “I am preserving my children’s inheritance”.

October 2003 Apple picking, football, leaf raking … and stewardship!

Ask, “What is an important autumn activity in churches?” People are likely to respond, “Our stewardship campaign!”

Ask, “What is a stewardship campaign all about?” Most people will reply, “Money!”

An activity identified with autumn for most churches is conducting a stewardship campaign. Stewardship committees are formed and budget needs are discussed. People are reminded of the many important ways their church has made a positive difference in the lives of its members. And congregants are encouraged to give as much money as they can to support their church’s work.

Some church stewardship campaigns go beyond just financial support and ask people to make a commitment to use their other gifts – musical, food preparation, organizational and so on – as additional ways to be good stewards of their church.

But as necessary and as important as these things are, Christian stewardship of God’s world requires even more from us! Stewardship applies to how we live our lives Monday through Saturday, not just what we contribute to church on Sunday. It applies to how our church participates in the world, not just in the lives of its members.

Of course, these are not new ideas … but at a time in our church life when we’re reminding people of their stewardship obligations, why not explicitly include these ideas in our stewardship campaigns? In addition to commitments to church life on the pledge card, you could include suggested commitments to stewardship beyond our church walls. Celebrate people’s chosen commitments and report on progress made in keeping them, just as we report on financial pledges as they’re fulfilled.

Our United Methodist Social Principles and our Book of Resolutions are good places to start looking for ideas for suggested commitments.

For example, with respect to stewardship of the natural world some commitments could be:

These actions are all examples of daily acts of stewardship that benefit people at church and beyond and that protect all of God’s creation!

The job of being on a Stewardship Committee can be a daunting one. So much to do in just a few months! But expanding our stewardship campaigns to include more than gifts of time, talent, and money can make a very real contribution to church life: a vivid reminder that stewardship for Christians is even more than making financial contributions to our church, even more than contributions to our own church life. Stewardship is the totality of how we live our lives.

November 2003 Merry Christmas?

I was shocked when I went shopping on September 1 and found Christmas items on display already! And even though "Silent Night" was playing (courtesy of little animated Christmas figures), there was no religious intent here. Do we really want to spend four months - one-third of the year! – buying things for Christmas.

As unappealing as this commercial display was, though, it did offer a reminder that we may want to help our congregations celebrate Christmas in ways that are more meaningful. Instead of the joyful celebration of Christ’s birth, Christmas has become one of the most stressful times of the year for many people.

Much of the stress of the season comes from feeling obligated to buy gifts for people – even to the point of plunging the family into debt. When most people in the world do not have enough to lead satisfying lives, isn’t it ironic that we go to such lengths to buy more stuff for the privileged few (that’s us!) who already have so much more than we really need? And all that extra stuff we buy at Christmas takes a toll on the earth, too.

If you enjoy shopping for gifts or if you’re concerned about keeping the economy going, why not buy just as many gifts as usual, but give them to needy families instead of (not in addition to!) your usual recipients. Most likely, your family and friends would prefer a gift of special time spent together or a donation to their favorite charity in their name. Let your family and friends know now that you’d prefer an alternative gift such as these from now on rather than a material gift. Wouldn’t these gifts be better answers to the question “What Would Jesus Want for Christmas?” (the title of the Christmas pageant mentioned below.)

Resources

Here are some resources that can help you and your congregation have a more meaningful Christmas:

One online participant wrote a moving story about her husband’s favorite present. Each year the highlight of his Christmas was to open an envelope placed on the tree to see what the family had contributed in his name to bring joy to someone in the community – perhaps sending a group of handicapped children to a hockey game, money given to a family whose house had burned down, and so on. After the father’s death, the family’s tradition continued, keeping his memory alive in a most meaningful way. Read the whole story at <www.newdream.org/holiday/story.html>.

December 2003 The Northeast Jurisdiction Church and Society Gathering: Many great ideas (and one disturbing surprise)

It’s always easier to feel optimistic about the future of the world when one feels the power of United Methodists working for justice in the world!

The recent Church and Society Gathering for the Northeast Jurisdiction, titled “From Globalization to Global Community: Making Peace and Doing Justice in a Smaller World,” was such an event. In addition to lay and clergy members from all over the Northeast, there were fellow Methodists from outside the Jurisdiction, and even some people from different faiths drawn by the excellent programs.

It was wonderful to participate in the simple, but inspiring worship services. It was exciting to have a chance to meet and talk with fellow Methodists from the region – some new friends and some old. The thought-provoking plenary sessions provided much to contemplate, and the stimulating workshops energized us for action.

There were discussions about our United Methodist Social Principles. The Social Principles are a continuing part of the proud history of the United Methodist Church. It’s an ever-changing document, the prayerful result of many lay members and clergy addressing ever-changing problems in the world in light of our biblical and theological foundations. A wonderful resource to use as the basis for taking action!

Here’s just a sampling of the projects that were presented:

Some of the other issues discussed were restorative justice, Jubilee debt relief, genetically engineered food and food standards and many others. Working on one of these projects that speaks to your heart just might change your life as well!

At the conclusion of the conference, the minister whose church hosted our event reported one especially welcome outcome. He said that the group of homeless people who had helped with the food and room preparations felt so empowered by their participation that they had decided that they would meet in the coming week to plan programs to help other homeless people! This might have not been a planned outcome for the Gathering, but it served as a powerful reminder of how much good comes when people of faith gather together to work for justice.

And the disturbing surprise? Among this large group of people passionately interested in justice, only I and one other person attended the workshop on global warming led by the Project Leader of the Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign. All of the projects mentioned above are important projects, worthy of our hard work and support. All of the projects mentioned above will better the lives of many people. But we live on a planet that is warming. The ice caps are melting, wildlife is changing behavior and ranges, deadly heat waves are occurring, sea levels are rising. The planet itself is showing us that global warming is real.