by Jim Ball

Yesterday the Christian Reformed Church made history, becoming the first evangelical denomination located in the United States to affirm the need for climate action as contained in the report it adopted by their Creation Stewardship Task Force -- which was chaired by the "dean" or elder statesman of the evangelical creation-care movement, Dr. Cal DeWitt (pictured above).

The CRC's newly adopted position on climate change begins on page 56 of the Task Force's report. (Yes, you read that right -- page 56! This is a very thorough report, containing much biblical, theological, and scientific material that will serve as a resource for years to come.) As they themselves acknowledge, their position follows closely that of the Oxford Declaration on Global Warming, adopted in 2002, and the Evangelical Climate Initiative's statement, released in 2006.

Their fifth point states:

"Urgent action is required to address climate change. Action is needed at the personal, community, and political levels toward reducing human causes of climate change and mobilizing ourselves in urgent assistance to those who are forced to adapt to its negative effects. We have an opportunity now to reduce the future impact of climate change by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. These emissions are increasing at an exponential rate. Waiting to act until more data accumulate limits our ability to reduce future impacts and ensures that future climate change will be greater rather than smaller" (p. 57).

We couldn't agree more. We urge all to read and ponder this important report.