charity, crisis, & climate
Charity is not only in the moment of perceived crisis.
A crisis is always compounded with factors both before and and after. Perhaps crisis is unavoidable, but what exacerbated the problem, and how do we go about reducing the present harm and dealing with underlying issues? In the literal wake of hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, how do we move forward?
It is easy to care about others who have suddenly lost everything. But are we willing to care about those who never had much to begin with? Are we willing to care about how to help them flourish after the crisis? Are we willing to research and change systems that made the crisis even worse?
The wanton development of Houston contributed to the surreal damage. Hurricanes are only getting worse and more extreme with climate change. Earthquakes have been causing devastation across Mexico. Floods in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have killed hundreds and left millions homeless. But these events happen over, and over, and over again.
Humanity has crossed a threshold moment that requires us to act judiciously with how and where humans live. There is more awareness of limitations on natural resources. As the climate continues to change, we will see a new form of refugees as former habitable spaces become unrealistic for large populations. Whether it is flooding or extreme temperatures, humans will no longer be able to live as simply as they have in the past. Our development of cities need to be more sustainable, our energy systems need to be more sustainable, our food systems need to be more sustainable; our individual choices have collective consequences, and we must seek to think and work more collectively.
Charity is not about returning to a status quo; it is speaking on a common humanity, a common image of God. And if a common brother or sister is continually in a place of suffering, if their environment does not allow them to thrive, if we are making the environment more volatile, do we not have a responsibility to act?
This planetary spaceship we live on is resilient. It is harsh. It is home. And followers of Jesus who are unwilling to wrestle with the underlying issues are failing the commandment to love our neighbor. This is a planetary-scale stewardship, not simply solved by local initiative. We must seek to humble ourselves and to work together before. May His Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven.