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    Defending Human Health & Wellbeing

The Why

At EEN, we often say that creation care is a matter of life. This is because caring for our environment–for the creation that God has entrusted to us as stewards–is undeniably interconnected with countless issues that affect human health from conception to death. The Lancet medical journal has called climate change “the greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century” but also “the greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health.” Similarly, we believe caring for God’s creation is a key way of caring for the health and wellbeing of our children, our families, and our communities. 

  • Exposure to methane is associated with congenital heart defects[1], a 25% increase in children’s asthma[2], 86 times more exposure to known cancer causing chemicals[3], and an increase in low birth weight.

  • The leading cause of pre-term birth is intrauterine inflammation, and the leading cause of this inflammation is PM2.5[4] (also known as soot). The effect of this pollution is approximately 16,000 pre-term births in the U.S.[5].

  • Mercury pollution emitted from coal-fired power plants can cause irreversible brain damage in developing children[6].

  • disproportionately affects * those whom Jesus calls us to give special care: the poor, the marginalized, our children, and other vulnerable populations.
    disproportionately affects * those whom Jesus calls us to give special care: the poor, the marginalized, our children, and other vulnerable populations.

    Pollution

  • safeguards on pollution * from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prevented an estimated 230,000 deaths[7]!
    safeguards on pollution * from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prevented an estimated 230,000 deaths[7]!

    In 2020,

[1] Environmental Health Perspectives: Birth Outcomes and Maternal Residential Proximity to Natural Gas Development in Rural Colorado, [2] JAMA International Medicine: Association Between Unconventional Natural Gas Development in the Marcellus Shale and Asthma Exacerbations, [3] ACS Publications: Ambient Nonmethane Hydrocarbon Levels Along Colorado’s Northern Front Range: Acute and Chronic Health RisksClick to copy article link, [4] PNAS: Inequity in consumption of goods and services adds to racial–ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure, [5] Environmental Health Perspectives: Particulate Matter Exposure and Preterm Birth: Estimates of U.S. Attributable Burden and Economic Costs, [6] Environmental Health Perspectives: Public Health and Economic Consequences of Methyl Mercury Toxicity to the Developing Brain, [7] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act 1990-2020, the Second Prospective Study

The How

  • Championing Clean Air and Water
    Championing Clean Air and Water

    This looks like…

    • Speaking out in support of stronger safeguards on fossil fuels and associated toxins including methane, soot, and mercury
    • Encouraging industries to practice better stewardship by reducing waste and implementing readily available technologies
    • Championing policies that decrease the flow of toxins into our waterways, including PFAS (forever chemicals), microplastics, and lead
    • Supporting market-based solutions that encourage businesses to decrease the amount of pollutants released into our air and water
  • Advocating for a Safe and Healthy Climate
    Advocating for a Safe and Healthy Climate

    This looks like…

    • Educating fellow evangelicals and policymakers about the relationship between a changing climate and negative outcomes including extreme weather and health risks
    • Advocating for policies that make our communities more resilient to climate-fueled disasters
    • Encouraging congregations to respond to extreme weather events in their surrounding communities
  • Encouraging Good Stewardship in Our Homes and Churches
    Encouraging Good Stewardship in Our Homes and Churches

    This looks like…

    • Educating individuals and families about steps they can take to ensure health and safety at home, as well as actions that support a brighter climate future
    • Connecting congregations with resources and tools that foster better stewardship of funds and other assets
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What You Can Do

  • Speak out with us on issues impacting human health and wellbeing.
  • Check out EEN's home and church stewardship resources.
  • Learn more about how extreme weather impacts our climate, health, and safety.
  • Keep up with EEN Action, our 501(c)(4) advocacy partner.
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