Observing Earth Day, 2009

You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy. Eric Hoffer

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it. Psalm 24:1

Creator God, You gave us responsibility for the earth, a world of beauty and plenty. Create in us a desire to live more simply, so that those who follow after us may enjoy the fruits of your creation. Amen.

April 22, 1970, marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Proposed by Sen. Gaylord Nelson as a nation wide demonstration on the environment, this first effort involved 20 million Americans.

By the 20th anniversary, Earth Day, 1990, 200 million people were mobilized in 141 countries. Environmental issues were finally lifted to the world stage.

Sen. Nelson credited the first Earth Day with persuading U. S. politicians that environmental legislation had a substantial, lasting constituency. In the wake of Earth Day 1970, Congress passed important legislation, including the Clean Air Act, protection for wild lands and the oceans, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The observance of Earth Day has always embodied biblical principles and values.

1. The Principle of Intrinsic Worth
The universe, the earth, and all its components and inhabitants have intrinsic worth.

2. The Principle of Interconnectedness
Earth is a community of interconnected living beings that are dependent on each other for survival and quality of life.

3. The Principle of Purpose
The universe, the earth, and all its components are part of a dynamic cosmic design within which each piece has a place in the overall purpose of the design.

4. The Principle of Mutual Custodianship
Earth is a balanced, diverse domain where responsible custodians can function as partners with, rather than rulers over, each other, so that the community of earth can be maintained.

Concrete action steps toward more simple living can be found at the U. S. government's Earth Day site here.

I invite you to join me in taking the Simplicity Pledge as a serious commitment, not for a day, but for a lifetime.

The Simplicity Pledge

I pledge to follow Jesus -
to live a life of integrity between my beliefs and actions
to strive to use only my fair share of the Earth's resources
to treat others fairly here and abroad
to care for creation by what I do and what I refuse to do
to support others in living this Pledge together.