Has the environment lost its mojo?

Like my brother Allan RM, I've been watching this election unfold with keen interest. As I take it all in, I can't help but wonder,

What has happened to the environment?

It's no where in the political discourse. NO WHERE.

Since the recession, no one is talking about addressing climate change or protecting natural resources. Conversations about transitioning to a "green" economy have gone missing. Advocates for the rights of those impacted by climate change are basically non-existent. No one is talking about passing on a healthy environment to future generations.

And that annoys me. Big time.


Know what annoys me even more? The environment would be on the political radar IF young people had a stronger voice and voted en masse.

By and large, people under 35 rate the environment as a top political issue, right up there with the economy, tuition fees and health care. But if they don't vote, why would the political parties bother to respond to their demands?

Creation has never needed advocates for sustainability more than today. Will young people demand change today?

All Creatures Great and Small

The Animal Kingdom amazes me! Last week, I saw an owl for the first time in my life. I was walking through the trees, searching for birds, when all of a sudden, I felt two piercing yellow eyes on me. And looking up, I saw this. This little guy, a Northern Saw-Whet Owl was cozy in the cedars on my Uncle's farm.

It was a humbling experience to see such a small bird, yet with such a strong and quiet power. It almost felt wrong whipping out my camera and invading the Saw-Whet's habitat. His eyes grew wider as I drew closer. That was my cue it was time to leave and let this creature be. But for those few moments of taking in my feathered friend I was up-close and personal with God's awesome animal Kingdom. It also makes me wonder at how long this owl was watching me before I noticed him. And...what other beautiful creatures that we share Creation with do I neglect to notice?

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

- Genesis 1:21

Great Resource on Creation Care for Young Adults

Green Revolution: Coming Together to Care for Creation, by Ben Lowe. IVP Books, 2009.

Lowe writes from the perspective of a young adult evangelical who was active in Renewal, a grassroots organization of students caring for creation.

He directly and convincingly addresses the common objections evangelicals have for caring for the environment, like whether the earth will be burned up anyway or that we should care about saving humans only and not worry about the rest of creation. Most helpful is Lowe's description of the creation care movement among young people as he describes many projects and initiatives at campuses and churches.

I would highly recommend this book for youth and young adults wanting to be inspired to make a difference in their communities.

Here's a description from the back cover:

"Activist Ben Lowe calls us to come together and care for the earth in a way that previous generations have not. Telling real-life stories from colleges, churches and communities across the nation, Lowe shows that little things make a big difference when we all work together. We now have an opportunity to show the world what it looks like when Christians care for the planet God gave us, so that future generations can live sustainably. This is our moment. This is our issue. Come join the green revolution."

What would you do with one extra minute?

Call a friend? Take a nap? Down a greasy cheeseburger?

How about spend a minute in a test tube with David Suzuki?!

Check this video out.

It's one thing to suggest we ride our bikes more often, it's another to challenge the very bedrock of our society - growth. Can our insatiable appetites for more really be stopped? Can our population numbers ever stabilize? Does creation even give us a choice? Talk about approaching some taboo subjects. Rock on Suzuki. Rock on.

You are crazy not to care

"The crazy folks at Hope Mennonite Church (in Winnipeg) believe God wants us all to take care of the earth.  And they want to show you 350 Bible references to "prove" it!"  

Watch the video below or view all of the verses here.

The crazy people at MCC Ontario believe God wants us all to take care of the earth as well...

So we have developed a DVD resource called handle with care with the goal to "encourage and inspire the Church to take greater care of God’s creation."  

For more info visit http://ontario.mcc.org/creationcare