Holy Mischief

climate change represents world-altering tragedy if unchecked, but not even in the worst-case scenario does it mean “literally everyone dies”

this, this, this, this, this, this, and like, 700 other sources will tell you that most of the effects of climate change will be reversible even if we pass the ‘threshold’ of a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase in global temperature

BUT. Even if the worst happens, it will be important to be doing things other than wallowing in misery???

I’m not trying to be callous but for people living today it’s wildly unlikely for the results to be “literally immediate death.”

People will get displaced from their homes by rising sea levels. We have like, years, probably decades, before that happens. It seems so fucked up to decide that we should do nothing, because we’ve already decided they’re going to die anyway????

If a bunch of us are going to die, why not die trying to help each other? Why not try to make sure fewer people die? Why not do something that might reduce someone’s suffering or give them food or clean water or a place to sleep?

And there’s still hope! Did you know the hole in the ozone layer is closing? It was actually caused by one specific chemical that’s been banned. A lot of endangered wildlife populations are growing because of so many efforts to protect them. Many mining companies are being prevented from mining in our remaining clean waters and forests. We have all the technology we need to reverse this crisis, it’s just a matter of implementing it.

In the 1980’s, the area was absolutely devastated by copper mining, to the point that the land had a “Martian” appearance. It was utterly devoid of vegetation and wildlife. No trees, no grass, no frogs, nothing.

I own a historical fiction book, A Bird on Water Street, about how the area was restored. The astonishing thing about this place is that people were able to fix the damage.

In a lot of ways in the 80’s and 90’s, many species and environments were successfully saved from the brink of disaster.

Does anyone remember DDT? As the above poster said above, CFC’s contributing to the ozone hole? Do y'all remember how saturated the 1970’s were with lead and asbestos and all sorts of toxic shit? Getting specific chemicals banned or working to save specific species DOES HELP.

I’m begging everyone to research conservation projects going on near them, like, in or near their hometown. The state of Kentucky very successfully reintroduced elk to the mountains after they went extinct there. There are examples like this everywhere.

Things look bad and they’re scary but they would be a lot worse if the people before us hadn’t worked their asses off trying to preserve the world for us. People are out there working hard to save the world right now.

The Immigrant Apostles’ Creed was written by Rev. Jose Luis Casal, the  director of Presbyterian World Mission. He is an immigrant to the USA from Cuba.

The Immigrant Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in Almighty God, who guided the people in exile and in exodus, the God of Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, the God of foreigners and immigrants.

I believe in Jesus Christ, a displaced Galilean, who was born away from his people and his home, who fled his country with his parents when his life was in danger. When he returned to his own country he suffered under the oppression of Pontius Pilate, the servant of a foreign power. Jesus was persecuted, beaten, tortured, and unjustly condemned to death. But on the third day Jesus rose from the dead, not as a scorned foreigner but to offer us citizenship in God’s kingdom.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the eternal immigrant from God’s kingdom among us, who speaks all languages, lives in all countries, and reunites all races. I believe that the Church is the secure home for foreigners and for all believers. I believe that the communion of saints begins when we embrace all God’s people in all their diversity. I believe in forgiveness, which makes us all equal before God, and in reconciliation, which heals our brokenness.

I believe that in the Resurrection God will unite us as one people in which all are distinct and all are alike at the same time. I believe in life eternal, in which no one will be foreigner but all will be citizens of the kingdom where God reigns forever and ever. Amen.

https://hoppinghadrianswall.com/2013/04/21/the-immigrant-apostles-creed/

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Litany for Dreamers by Fran Pratt

God, we are all searching for something Mostly we’re searching for a meeting with you. But some of us are searching for a better life; For an end to poverty; For an end to oppression; For full bellies and a place to rest; For meaningful work; For safety and opportunities for our children. So many of your servants were dreamers: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Esther, and many more, Who left their homelands in search of more and better - Even Christ himself, who was forced to find refuge in a foreign land. So many of our own ancestors and founders were dreamers: Men and women who set out toward the unknown Who faced dangers and impossible odds Looking for a home. Grant us compassionate hearts: Belief in your abundance, Belief that there is enough good to go around, Belief that you love all and provide for all, Belief that any sacrifices we make will be seen by you, Belief that precedes loving action, Belief in the welcome you offer, Belief in the welcome we must extend. And help us, as we live out the dream of the Promised Land, To listen well, To do justly and love mercy, To humbly serve you and our neighbors. Amen

http://www.franpratt.com/litanies/2017/9/5/litany-for-dreamers

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Sign-on: Evangelical Leaders Urge White House & Congress to Protect Dreamers https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4idLh_aao39O2h9Bp0L6qiondSrkprsDym6ubbavFWbvbfg/viewform

In the USA: How to Contact Your Representative About DACA

Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform http://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/sign-the-principles/

This bipartisan bill is probably a good way forward, so mention it to your representative.  http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/342785-graham-durbin-revive-bill-to-help-dreamers

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Immigrants are Reshaping American Missions [as Trainers & Senders]

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/july-august/immigrants-are-reshaping-american-missions.html?share=t+zfs3OsvnTkmKWzQxqOkwcqQZELKstO

Accept autistic people who can’t mask their symptoms.

Accept autistic people who can’t hold down a job.

Accept nonverbal autistic people.

Accept autistic people who have difficulty communicating what they mean.

Accept autistic people who have low/no empathy.

Accept autistic people who have intellectual/learning disabilities.

Accept autistic people who have meltdowns.

Accept autistic people who have trouble taking care of themselves.

Accept autistic people who stim in “weird” ways.

Accept autistic people who get sensory and/or emotional overload easily or over “small” things.

Accept autistic people who have self-injurious stims.

Accept autistic people who aren’t geniuses.

Accept autistic people who can’t live on their own.