The upcoming election with candidates running at all levels, from President to City Council Member, is an opportunity to be mindful of how our voting can impact care for God’s good creation. In this article you will find a description of key provisions related to creation justice just passed at the UMC 2024 General Conference. You will then find a table that compares the creation justice stances on key issues of the two presidential candidates with documentation in the dropdowns. After the table, there are words of encouragement and practical tips on making sure that you will be able to cast your vote. We hope that you find this helpful. Rev. Becca Richards, Rev. Keith Sexton, and Rev. Paul Slentz on behalf of the UMCJM Advocacy Working Group.
—Rev. Becca Richards, Rev. Keith Sexton, and Rev. Paul Slentz
on behalf of the UMCJM Advocacy Working Group.
United Methodist Social Principles on Creation Justice
The United Methodist Revised Social Principles, Community of All Creation section, acknowledges the far-reaching impacts of anthropogenic (human caused) climate change on the health, safety, and dignity of our neighbors around the world. Changes to the biosphere like more frequent droughts, heat waves, and flooding, and accelerating sea level rise pose existential threats, especially to our neighbors in the Global South. The Revised Social Principles laments that the most severe impacts of climate change are often borne by those people and communities least able to adapt and stresses the urgency of the moment in mitigating the causes of climate change.
The Revised Social Principles acknowledge that burning fossil fuels is the biggest single contributor to climate change and calls on United Methodists to support an orderly, just transition away from fossil fuels and to alternative forms of energy, including solar, wind, geothermal and hydrogen-based energy sources. The document cautions against the potential harms of nuclear energy and geoengineering strategies, which may have unintended consequences that cause further environmental damage.
The document unequivocally calls for state, federal, and international policy-based approaches to addressing the causes of climate change, affirming the necessity of international cooperation and accountability. This includes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement as well as federal regulations on climate-harming emissions in the United States.
The Social Principles advocate for individuals, families, and communities to adopt sustainable habits and practices and encourage United Methodists to live simply, refraining from overconsumption, and reducing their environmental (including carbon) footprints, including by reducing reliance on fossil fuels for heat, transportation, and other purposes.
Creation Justice Stances of the Presidential Candidates
Open the dropdowns for documentation of these answers
Do the candidates:
1. Affirm that human-caused climate change is real and is already having harmful impacts on humanity, other creatures, and earth's ecosystems?
Reality of Climate Change and Its Harmful Impacts
Harris: “So, our nations gathered 28 years ago in Berlin, Germany, at COP1. At that time, many doubted the threat posed by the climate crisis. Twenty years later, there is no doubt. Across our world, communities are choked by drought, washed out by floods, and decimated by hurricanes. Wildfire smoke darkens our skies, and rising seas threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. The urgency of this moment is clear. The clock is no longer just ticking, it is banging. And we must make up for lost time.” Speech at the UN Climate Conference (COP-28), 12/2/23
Trump: “During his four years in office, Trump aggressively targeted and rolled back more than 125 rules and policies meant to protect the environment and lower planet-warming emissions.” (Washington Post, 9/10/24) There is no mention of addressing the threat of climate change in the Trump campaign Issues document — “Agenda 47”.
2. Acknowledge that climate change and other forms of degradation of creation are disproportionately impacting low-wealth communities and communities of color in the U.S. and worldwide?
Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change On Low-income Communities and Communities of Color.
Harris: As a senator in 2020, Harris was the lead sponsor of The Environmental Justice for All Act. “This bill establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities.” (Congress.gov summary: S.4401)
Trump: The Trump campaign makes no mention of this impact.
3. Commit to keeping the U.S. a party to the Paris Climate Agreement, including financial support of low-wealth nations in addressing climate change?
Commitment to Paris Climate Agreement and Financial Support of Low-wealth Nations
Harris: “As the Vice President said at the international climate conference, COP28, she knows that meeting this global challenge will require global cooperation and she is committed to continuing and building upon the United States’ international climate leadership.” (Campaign website: “A New Way Forward”) Also: “Today, I am also proud to announce a new $3 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund, which helps developing countries invest in resilience, clean energy and nature-based solutions,” Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday during a speech at the U.N. climate summit in Dubai. (The Hill, 12/2/23)
Trump: “President Trump will once again exit the horrendously unfair Paris Climate Accords and oppose all of the radical left’s Green New Deal policies that are designed to shut down the development of America’s abundant energy resources, which exceed any country’s in the world, including Russia and Saudi Arabia.” (Campaign website: “Agenda 47”)
4. Support the transition to a clean energy economy, including policies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels?
Transition to a Creation-friendly Economy
Harris: “President Biden and I feel a deep sense of responsibility in this moment. We invested roughly a trillion dollars over the next 10 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost climate resilience, and support adaptation, and build a clean energy economy.” (Speech at the UN Climate Conference (COP-28), 12/2/23)
Trump: “On Day One, President Trump will rescind every one of Joe Biden’s industry-killing, jobs-killing, pro-China and anti-American electricity regulations. To keep pace with the world economy that depends on fossil fuels for more than 80% of its energy, President Trump will DRILL, BABY, DRILL.” (Campaign website: “Agenda 47”)
5. Support continued funding for the climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and funding for the EPA at FY’24 levels or greater.
IRA and EPA Funding
Harris: “As Vice President, she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history. This historic work is lowering household energy costs, creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality clean energy jobs, and building a thriving clean energy economy, all while ensuring America’s energy security and independence with record energy production.” (Campaign website: “A New Way Forward”) Also, the FY 2024 Budget for the EPA is $9.2 billion. The proposed FY 2025 budget request of the Biden/Harris Administration for the EPA is $10.9 billion. (EPA website)
Trump: “Trump says he’ll roll back parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, a sweeping set of proposals to expand clean energy passed under Biden. . . . Trump has also signaled that he would drain funding from climate-focused agencies if he’s elected. In discussing budget cuts, he told Fox News, “One of the things that’s so bad for us is environmental agencies. They make it impossible to do anything.” Also: “As president, Trump proposed a 26% budget cut to the EPA in 2020 and a 31% cut in 2019, both of which were ultimately rejected by the Democrat-led House Appropriations Committee.” (CBS Website, 9/10/24)
6. Oppose the extraction of natural gas through the process known as fracking?
Natural Gas “Fracking”
Harris: “As a candidate in the Democratic primaries four years ago, Harris said during a CNN town hall that she was in favor of banning fracking, the process that involves injecting a solution of water and chemicals into rock formations to extract oil and natural gas. But during a CNN interview on Aug. 29, she said, “as president, I will not ban fracking,” a statement industry executives have quickly latched onto. Still, they remain skeptical about what her other energy initiatives will entail.” (CBS Website, 9/10/24)
Trump: “Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in an email. “A ban on fracking would drive energy bills, gas prices, and the cost of groceries through the roof.”” (Politico, 9/9/24) Recent Trump campaign ads have criticized Harris for former statements calling for a ban on fracking, including one released on 9/11/24. (PBS station WHYY, 9/13/24)
7. Support tax credits for electric vehicles and increasing fuel economy standards to increase energy efficiency for gas-powered vehicles?
Electrical Vehicle Tax Credits and Strong Fuel Economy Standards
Harris: “In 2022, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides hundreds of billions of dollars in government subsidies for electric cars and other clean-energy technology, including tax credits for clean-energy and energy-efficiency home projects.” (Washington Post, 9/10/24) and “Today, March 20 [2024], the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. These standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions and provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits to society, including $13 billion of annual public health benefits due to improved air quality, and $62 billion in reduced annual fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for drivers . . . . EPA projects an increase in U.S. auto manufacturing employment in response to these final standards, consistent with the broader Biden-Harris Administration commitment to create good-paying, union jobs leading the clean vehicle future.” (EPA News Release, 3/20/24)
Trump: Biden’s environmental mandates will devastate the American auto industry . . . . Job losses as a result of Biden’s insane EV mandates have already begun with GM announcing the termination of 14,000 jobs and five assembly plants, Ford announcing the firing of 3,000 jobs in its shift to EVs, and Stellantis (owner of Chrysler) announcing the firing of 3,500 employees as it moves to EVs. (Campaign website “Agenda ‘47”) and “On Day One, President Trump will also roll back every Biden administration mandate that is brutalizing the American auto industry and the American consumer with skyrocketing costs. President Trump will end Biden’s assault on the internal combustion engine and cancel his harmful April 2023 emission regulations for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles, that are projected to kill 117,000 auto manufacturing jobs. President Trump will also end Biden’s insane CAFE fuel economy standards that will cost the auto industry an estimated $200 billion and raise the average cost of vehicles by more than $1,000 according to the Biden administration’s own estimates, at a time when the average price of a new car is $49,500.”(Campaign website “Agenda ‘47”)
Harris
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Trump
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
What Next?
Given the wealth of information provided in this action alert, what next?
We United Methodists might begin by searching the scriptures, praying, and fasting to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. It is our hope that you will also reflect on the United Methodist Church’s official positions on creation care and justice outlined above. Here is a Link to the full section of the Social Principles titled “Community of All Creation.” At the same time, make a plan now to cast your vote.
Here are some practical reminders to help you cast your vote faithfully.
→ If you have not done so already, please check your voter registration now as voter rolls are regularly purged. https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration
→ If you live in a voter ID required state, check the expiration on your ID and renew as needed.
→ Check now for your state’s mail-in ballots deadlines, and early voting arrangements (places, dates, and times), and your polling place for election day. There are many reasons that a polling place may have been moved, so please double check!
→ if you are not in a mail-in only voting state, you can obtain a sample ballot for your precinct through your state’s Board of Elections. Thus, you can inform yourself on other races in your state and community, including referendums or ballot initiatives.
→ Make a plan to vote that works for you based on the voting opportunities in your community.
We know voting is just the beginning of creation justice work. As new governmental administrations begin in our municipalities, counties, states, and nation, we will need to communicate consistently with our elected representatives so that Creation Care is factored into policy decisions, legislation and budgeting processes.
In addition, take care of yourself in these divisive and tense times.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:6-8
Our prayer is the Peace of Christ be with you always.