The State of Our Union and Climate Justice

Were you watching? This week President Obama gave his final State of the Union speech. He touted the success of the Paris conference in bringing 195 countries together to agree to curb global warming pollution. He rebuffed those who deny climate change and called for a spirit of collaboration, stating “a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids is within reach. But it will only happen if we work together.”

As a member of the NC Council of Churches and the NC Interfaith Power & Light network you have laid the groundwork to make this happen. With your faithful advocacy, you have shown that climate change is a moral issue and one that faith communities all over America are championing. 

Our favorite climate reality quote of the night was when the President said:

Look, if anybody still wants to dispute the science around climate change, have at it. You’ll be pretty lonely, because you’ll be debating our military, most of America’s business leaders, the majority of the American people, almost the entire scientific community, and 200 nations around the world who agree it’s a problem and intend to solve it. But even if the planet wasn’t at stake; even if 2014 wasn’t the warmest year on record – until 2015 turned out even hotter – why would we want to pass up the chance for American businesses to produce and sell the energy of the future?

This is a question we will take to our leaders in North Carolina, as we together protect our climate for our children and future generations.

The president closed the State of the Union speech last night with a quote from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one that is particularly relevant to our struggle for climate justice.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. 

Let’s take heart that our love for Creation, for those on the front lines of climate impacts around the world, and for future generations is stronger than the forces of greed aligned against us.