wfn.org | Lutheran Bishop Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Climate Change

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Title: Lutheran Bishop Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Climate Change
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>March 26, 2009  

Lutheran Bishop Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Climate Change
09-072-JD

WASHINGTON (ELCA) - The Rev. Callon W. Holloway Jr., bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Southern Ohio
Synod, Columbus, was one of seven witnesses who testified before
the U.S. House Energy and Environment Subcommittee on March 25 in
a congressional hearing, "Preparing for Climate Change:
Adaptation Polities and Programs."

Holloway said that the United States "must acknowledge its
role and moral responsibility" in the global climate change
crisis and "commit to providing substantial financial support
reaching between $7 billion and $21.5 billion a year by 2030 and
further increasing over time."

"For many people of faith, the conviction to be good
stewards of the earth is grounded in God's command in Genesis to
keep and till the earth," Holloway said. "We do not view the
riches of our earth simply as material to be exploited, but
rather as treasure we are called to protect, preserve and utilize
in sustainable ways for the well-being of God's people and God's
creation."

He was asked to testify by the National Council of Churches
USA, a coalition of 35 Christian denominations including the
ELCA.

Holloway said a diverse coalition of faith communities,
including Catholics, Protestants, evangelicals and interfaith
partners endorsed the "Climate Fairness Agenda." Written by the
National Religious Partnership for the Environment, the agenda
unites faith communities behind the goal of ensuring the U.S.
Government aggressively reduces greenhouse gas emissions while
providing for the most vulnerable, he said.

During a question and answer session, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps,
D-Calif., asked Holloway to address reasons for adaptation.
Adaptation is reducing climate vulnerability and building up
resilience.  Holloway suggested a three-tiered approach of
emergency aid, accompaniment with people for self-sufficiency,
and advocacy "for those who do not have a voice," he said.

Holloway testified that the faith community is united in
urging the committee to meet specific legislative objectives,
such as providing international adaptation assistance funds to
"the most vulnerable developing countries" and no more than 10
percent to any one country in a single year; engaging local
communities in an open and accountable process with adequate
monitoring and evaluation; providing funds in addition to current
levels of official development assistance; targeting funds for
adapting to climate impacts such as drought, natural disasters,
diseases and migration; and ensuring legislation enhances
developing nations' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
reducing deforestation (and encouraging reforestation) and
provide for transfer of clean energy technologies.

The hearing focused on ongoing adaptation efforts, both
domestically and internationally. The panel of witnesses also
discussed potential policies in climate change legislation that
could assist in climate change adaptation efforts.

Other witnesses represented the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Government Accountability
Office; National Wildlife Federation; Oxfam American; Cornwall
Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation; and Science and Public
Policy Institute.

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The full text of the "Climate Fairness Agenda: A Religious
Call to Address Global Climate Change and Poverty" is at
http://tinyurl.com/cbmlos on the Web.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog