Decarbonizing Cleveland

This past week, I joined community and civic leaders at Sustainable Cleveland’s decarbonization summit, to learn about the work of environmental sustainability and to connect with those who are doing this important work.

I learned more about the pillars of reaching zero net emissions, which scientists believe we must achieve to limit climate damage: we must advance energy carbonization, improve energy efficiency, expand electrification (especially vehicles) and improve carbon capture, by which harmful emission are drawn out of the atmosphere where they do the most damage (trees do this very well).

Solutions are all around us, from care of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River to better electrical grids and energy-efficient systems, from improving tree canopies to building with equity and environmental impact in mind. These are things which the church must pay attention to as well, not only in how we manage our buildings but in how we live with a sense of gratitude and stewardship for God’s creation.

I left the summit encouraged and hopeful, but well aware of the urgency of the situation. Indeed, I felt a sense of the challenge: we are embarking on a moment in the history of our nation and our church in which, in separate but overlapping ways, what we do (and don’t do) over the next several decades could be enormously consequential for the many decades to come.

I hope you’ll join me and Trinity’s Creation Care team in praying, working, and building relationships that will help our church and community respond faithfully and resolutely to the call for environmental stewardship and sustainability.