In 2022, women faith leaders came together in roundtable discussions to discuss climate justice and delivered an open letter, “Calling for Climate Justice for the Beloved Community.” Betty Burney, from St. Paul AME Church, reflects on what the call for climate justice means in this present moment.
By: Mrs. Betty S. Burney
Saint Paul AME Church
Jacksonville, FL
When we peel back the layers of climate impacts, we are shown just how much communities are being hurt and how blatantly racial, social and environmental justice are intertwined. Across the nation, and here in Florida, communities of color and Indigenous populations bear the brunt of climate change impacts. These are the communities that are not only hit hardest by pollution but also don’t have equitable access to health care and healthy food. These intersections speak to the need to lean hard into environmental justice.
In 2022, a group of women of color faith leaders came together to articulate the climate need. “Our communities are at the frontlines of the climate crisis” they heralded in their open letter to policymakers, healthcare professionals and church leaders. From pollution corridors located overwhelmingly in communities of color to lack of healthcare, they noted that climate change is impacting children of color’s health. Most frightening is their declaration that “Black and Brown communities aren’t equipped to handle the physical, mental and spiritual damage of climate change.” Their words then still ring true today.
From a faith and spiritual perspective this points out we are living in relationships that are broken: relationship with each other and relationship with God’s creation. From all of our faith traditions we hear that we are called to live in community with creation because it is sacred. And across faith traditions, we are taught to love and care for our neighbor. Yet, today’s reality has shown us how we have not done well in living up to our calling to love our neighbor or care for God’s earth. It is urgent that we figure out ways to work together and live in ways that don’t disproportionately hurt vulnerable communities and hurt God’s earth.
So much more must be done to ensure healthy communities for all. We know that energy produced from fossil fuels pollutes the atmosphere with toxics and greenhouse gases and increases the risk of asthma, chronic diseases and cancer. We know that reducing pollution that contributes to underlying health conditions will ensure that vulnerable communities are not put at greater risk from pandemics such as COVID-19. We must work to address the interrelated issues of ecological decline and racial inequality. We must provide economic opportunities and transition to clean energy.
The health, economic and environmental costs of climate change is not foreign to Floridians. Severe storms and heat wave days are expected to increase. Florida is home to 10 of the hottest cities in the U.S., with Miami topping the list as the hottest. This is alarming since heatwaves are the leading cause of extreme-weather event deaths in the US. According to a report by Climate Central, more than 620,000 Floridians are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Currently, Florida has an average of 25 dangerous heat days each year. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to 130 dangerous heat days annually. This is an untenable future, but one that we don’t have to accept.
Even in the face of the impacts of climate change and injustice, hope remains. The women of color faith leaders don’t just sound the alarm in their open letter, they outline a path forward and plant a flag of Black and Brown agency. “We see ourselves not as lost, last, or forgotten but as belonging to a strong and resilient community."
Through right relationships with each other we can address the climate crisis and build a better, more just world. But, we need policymakers, healthcare professionals and church leaders to join us as we actualize a healthy and vibrant future for ourselves and our children.
Saint Paul AME Church
Jacksonville, FL
When we peel back the layers of climate impacts, we are shown just how much communities are being hurt and how blatantly racial, social and environmental justice are intertwined. Across the nation, and here in Florida, communities of color and Indigenous populations bear the brunt of climate change impacts. These are the communities that are not only hit hardest by pollution but also don’t have equitable access to health care and healthy food. These intersections speak to the need to lean hard into environmental justice.
In 2022, a group of women of color faith leaders came together to articulate the climate need. “Our communities are at the frontlines of the climate crisis” they heralded in their open letter to policymakers, healthcare professionals and church leaders. From pollution corridors located overwhelmingly in communities of color to lack of healthcare, they noted that climate change is impacting children of color’s health. Most frightening is their declaration that “Black and Brown communities aren’t equipped to handle the physical, mental and spiritual damage of climate change.” Their words then still ring true today.
From a faith and spiritual perspective this points out we are living in relationships that are broken: relationship with each other and relationship with God’s creation. From all of our faith traditions we hear that we are called to live in community with creation because it is sacred. And across faith traditions, we are taught to love and care for our neighbor. Yet, today’s reality has shown us how we have not done well in living up to our calling to love our neighbor or care for God’s earth. It is urgent that we figure out ways to work together and live in ways that don’t disproportionately hurt vulnerable communities and hurt God’s earth.
So much more must be done to ensure healthy communities for all. We know that energy produced from fossil fuels pollutes the atmosphere with toxics and greenhouse gases and increases the risk of asthma, chronic diseases and cancer. We know that reducing pollution that contributes to underlying health conditions will ensure that vulnerable communities are not put at greater risk from pandemics such as COVID-19. We must work to address the interrelated issues of ecological decline and racial inequality. We must provide economic opportunities and transition to clean energy.
The health, economic and environmental costs of climate change is not foreign to Floridians. Severe storms and heat wave days are expected to increase. Florida is home to 10 of the hottest cities in the U.S., with Miami topping the list as the hottest. This is alarming since heatwaves are the leading cause of extreme-weather event deaths in the US. According to a report by Climate Central, more than 620,000 Floridians are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Currently, Florida has an average of 25 dangerous heat days each year. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to 130 dangerous heat days annually. This is an untenable future, but one that we don’t have to accept.
Even in the face of the impacts of climate change and injustice, hope remains. The women of color faith leaders don’t just sound the alarm in their open letter, they outline a path forward and plant a flag of Black and Brown agency. “We see ourselves not as lost, last, or forgotten but as belonging to a strong and resilient community."
Through right relationships with each other we can address the climate crisis and build a better, more just world. But, we need policymakers, healthcare professionals and church leaders to join us as we actualize a healthy and vibrant future for ourselves and our children.