Support by word and action the urgent need for a fair global phaseout of fossil fuels and a just and rapid transformation toward conservation, restoration, and renewable power, including widespread fossil fuel divestment and reinvestments in goods and services that further a clean and just energy future.
The United Methodist 1980 General Conference resolution on energy policy made us the first denomination to acknowledge the harm caused by burning of fossil fuels, linking it to “global warming.” It urged the church and world to move away from fossil fuels and make renewable energy and conservation the main energy priorities. The Resolution has been reaffirmed over the years.
The Council of Bishops has pledged with other agencies to limit emissions to “net zero by 2050.” This goal emerged from the 2015 Paris Agreement to stabilize the climate by limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C. It included the short-term goal of reducing global emissions by 45 percent by 2030, but emissions are still rising and average global temperature increase is already hovering around 1.5°C. Reversing the upward trajectory will require steep cuts and the phaseout of fossil fuels.
Part of what is blocking strong climate action are the actions of fossil fuel corporations, which dominate climate and energy policies nationally and in international climate conferences. Counter to the principle, “Do no harm,” the top fossil fuel corporations are the source of most climate heating emissions. Since 1988, over 70 percent of all emissions came from just 100 fossil fuel corporations, while more than half came from just 25 corporations. These include ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron, which are included in Wespath’s investment portfolio. Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, 57 corporations are responsible for 80 percent of emissions, despite knowing for decades the deadly harm their products would cause. Further, despite the global plastics crisis, the fossil fuel industry intends to dramatically increase petrochemicals for plastics production.
The logical and moral next step toward climate stability and climate justice is to make clear that The United Methodist Church supports a fast and fair transition away from fossil fuels to conservation and renewable energy. This includes encouraging our agencies and churches to make this transition as quickly as is possible in their unique settings and circumstances and to screen fossil fuel corporations out of our investment portfolios and to publicly urge others to do so.
Limiting our own emissions according to our NetZero commitments and divesting from fossil fuel corporations to harmonize our financial stewardship with our environmental stewardship are absolutely necessary for leadership by example, yet they are woefully inadequate by themselves to curb climate change. Addressing climate change will require action to change the system beyond the walls of our denomination. This will require action on the part of the church and its members to help transform social, economic, political, and ideological systems and set right humanity’s relationship in God’s creation. We should be seeding and supporting the systemic changes that are needed within and beyond the church. These actions require vital partnerships, deep faith, and strong churches and communities, which demonstrate Christian values.
FossilFreeUMC 