Category: Commentary

  • Bill McKibben Calls on The United Methodist General Conference to Divest from Fossil Fuels (Video)

    Bill McKibben Calls on The United Methodist General Conference to Divest from Fossil Fuels (Video)

    Bill McKibben, world-renowned climate educator, organizer, and longtime United Methodist, calls on his denomination to “do the right thing” and divest from fossil fuels “while it still matters” as General Conference meets in Charlotte, North Carolina. Delegates will discuss and decide on this issue within the next few days. See Bill’s bio below. Watch Bill’s…

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  • FIVE REASONS TO ADD “FOSSIL FUELS” TO THE INVESTMENT SCREEN PARAGRAPH 717 OF THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

    FIVE REASONS TO ADD “FOSSIL FUELS” TO THE INVESTMENT SCREEN PARAGRAPH 717 OF THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

    1. ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY DOESN’T WORK The earth is facing the most serious environmental crisis of its history, a crisis caused by the fossil fuel industry even though it knew of the dangers 50 years ago and not only did nothing, it covered up the science. The fossil fuel industry caused the…

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  • The Fossil Fuel Engagement Game

    The Fossil Fuel Engagement Game

    Commentary – Reprinted from One World House. After an amazing first week of progress at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, NC in the United States, it has become clear that it is the will of the General Conference to move away from language and practices that have caused so many persons harm, especially…

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  • Tennis ball hail batters Charlotte while Methodists Bank On Climate Change

    Tennis ball hail batters Charlotte while Methodists Bank On Climate Change

    Tennis ball-sized hail erupted in Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday, as General Conference gathered. It scattered cars over the freeway, busted out car windows, scattering them over the roadways. The hail was so large and fell so violently that glass splintered and impact-resistant windshields turned to shards with sharp broken glass penetrating skin and clothes and…

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  • The Unpromises of Oil & Gas

    The Unpromises of Oil & Gas

    An industry reveals itself in the news this week It was the news this week that caught my eye. With the gear up for General Conference, and the resolution seeking divestment, my attention turns to headlines like these, and the studies and activities they report. The big question for General Conference will be, Divestment or…

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  • Palms of Holy Week, a Reflection

    Palms of Holy Week, a Reflection

    I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof…. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears.Psalm 102:6-7, 9 (NIV) Today Christian churches around the world celebrated Palm Sunday, the day when we remember—and stand…

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  • Fossil Fuel Companies Are Not Allies for Climate Justice

    Fossil Fuel Companies Are Not Allies for Climate Justice

    The United Methodist Church must divest from fossil fuel companies if it hopes to be an ally for climate justice. If fossil fuel companies were allies in addressing the global climate crisis, they would not have buried their own scientific findings about the reality of climate change in the 1970s, they would not have attacked…

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  • Oil and Gas – Where are we now?

    Oil and Gas – Where are we now?

    When good people have tried everything. …though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.Proverbs 24:16 It’s been thirty years…. As we see push after push for divestment from citizens, organizations, and people of faith, it is helpful to take a moment with the question, where are we now…

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