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Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

YOUR SAY: Caring for God’s creation: A challenge of faith

It is time to start caring. We have an innate obligation as global citizens to serve as caretakers of our planet — a planet that is increasingly in peril.

It is unfortunate that current political and social movements have qualified this peril as solely “Global Warming,” for the issues are far more complex and far-reaching than a few millimeters of mercury.

Extinction rates are skyrocketing, urban sprawl is expanding and resources are dwindling. Call me an alarmist, but our planet is in a state of imbalance and, dare I say, we are responsible. Here is your call to action.

Whether evangelical or atheist, we can all agree that the world we live in is dazzling beyond belief. Regardless of its origins, our world today is a wonder. This reverence should inspire us to act.

The first step to such action requires careful analysis and self-education about pertinent issues. Mercer University, in partnership with Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, will host a conference later this month, titled “Caring for Creation: A Scientific and Theological Response,” to educate and inspire students and the public to act on behalf of our world.

World-renowned scientists, public servants and theologians will converge to discuss matters of sustainability, conservation and spirituality.

Among the speakers at this groundbreaking conference are Jonathan Merrit, founder of the Southern Baptist Climate Change Initiative, Sharon Astyk, a noted author and subsistence farmer, Dr. Paul Epstein, associate director of Harvard’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, and Dr. Judith Curry, renowned climatologist and professor at Georgia Tech. This unique forum will take place on Mercer’s Macon campus Oct. 29-31 and registration is ongoing at www.mercer.edu/caring.

Unlike a conventional conference, this conference will be stepping beyond mere discussion of the issues and instead facilitating service in green minded-pursuits.

In conjunction with two days of addresses and lectures, the conference will conclude with action — a Green Day of Service — on Oct. 31.

Projects include the weatherization of Macon homes in partnership with Rebuilding Macon, river clean-ups in partnership with the Ocmulgee River Initiative, and community garden work at two city gardens. All projects aim to serve the community and promote green education and awareness.

While the day of service will have all of these projects working simultaneously, each individual project is sustainable and active throughout the year.

Mercer is inviting interested citizens to join in this unique conversation and day of service. Registration cost is a modest $35 for community members.

Please consider registering or supporting this conference by visiting www.mercer.edu/caring, which includes much more information about the speakers as well as details on the scheduling.

Kathryn Doornbos is a Mercer University biology student and Caring For Creation Conference organizer.