Environment: Policy solutions

The Bible is full of nature imagery, from most of the Psalms to Jesus' mandate to "consider the lilies." For MCC and its constituent churches, it is not only about enjoying the beauty of nature, but also about caring properly for what we have been given by God. Mennonite environmentalist Art Meyer writes, "I am an environmentalist because I am a Christian."

MCC's environmental field work around the world has focused primarily on reforestation, sustainable agriculture education and providing safe drinking water. MCC workers in Appalachia have closely followed the impact of the mining industry on the land and its people. The practice of removing mountaintops and dumping them into valley streams degrades the land, contaminates the water and increases flooding.

The Washington Office considers environmental policies by asking not only, "What is helpful for us now?" but also "What will be healthy for our children? For our children's children?"

Following are some of the environmental issues covered by the Washington Office:

Climate change

There is now strong scientific consensus that the atmosphere is warming because of increased fossil fuel use. Changes include rising sea levels, lowered food yields and even thriving colonies of stinkbugs in London, long considered too cold for the tropical insects. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R.2454) passed the House of Representatives in June 2009; meanwhile, a similar bill is awaiting action in the Senate.

Renewable energy

The United States relies heavily on coal, oil and gas for its energy - all very finite resources - while providing little funding or tax credits for renewable energy initiatives such as wind and solar power, geothermal heating and hybrid vehicles.

Air and water pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that nearly 100 million U.S. Americans breathe dirty air.

Eco-justice

Poor communities and communities of color bear a disproportionate amount of water and air pollution.

International adaptation assistance

As a result of global climate change, many developing nations are facing the current or future threat of severe humanitarian crises — including an increase in the incidence of floods, droughts, water shortages from disappearing glaciers, famine, and other natural disasters. Although these nations are the most vulnerable to climate change, they are the least responsible for its origin – it is developed nations that bear the greatest responsibility for the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

U.S.-Mexico border fence

Nearly one-third of U.S. land along this border lies in public hands, including national wildlife refuges, national parks, and national forests. Fencing and walls, though doing little to stop human migration, are severing migration routes and destroying thousands of acres of wildlife habitat.