Today, we join with people across the country and the world–including Republican and Democratic former, current, and newly-elected presidents and other national leaders–in remembrance and mourning of Former President Jimmy Carter at his funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. At the Evangelical Environmental Network, we are remembering the legacy of President Carter, not only for his national leadership–but more importantly–for his deep commitment to serving God and others as a dedicated Christian, which shaped many of his presidential and post-presidential actions, including caring for God’s creation.
History demonstrates how conservation and environmental care have always been bipartisan concerns. As president, Carter made critical contributions to this legacy, with his belief in stewarding God’s creation well leading him to prioritize caring for the environment, championing conservation, protecting wilderness areas across the country, cutting pollution, and advancing clean energy and energy efficiency innovations. Following the Nixon administration’s establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and Council on Environmental Quality, President Carter established the U.S. Department of Energy. He was also one of the first world leaders to take seriously the need to reduce carbon pollution to limit an increase in global temperatures.
After his time in office, President Carter devoted himself to advocating for global peace and humanitarian pursuits including eradicating diseases, building homes, and championing human rights. All the while, he remained rooted in scripture, continuing to teach Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
President Carter’s life and legacy are an incredible testament to the work God can do through His people and the value of putting our identity in Christ first and foremost. As we anticipate the beginning of a new administration and Congress, who will make decisions that will impact both their constituents and God’s children around the world, we call on our leaders to–like President Carter and bipartisan leaders before and after him–focus on the values that unite us: defending the health our children, our families, our communities, and God’s creation.
