FOR and the Climate Crisis
by Glen Anderson
The climate crisis fits squarely into the crosshairs of FOR’s values and priorities.
In the early 1980s, we changed the wording of the FOR’s Statement of Purpose from affirming the oneness of all humanity to affirming the oneness of all creation. We know that all people are one human family. Now we also affirm that our one family extends to plants, animals, ecosystems, oceans, and the atmosphere – all elements that connect us in oneness.
Likewise, we know that peace and justice are inextricably connected. Injustice is inherently violent to victims. Social, economic and environmental justice are a necessary foundation for peace. The familiar saying affirms “If you want peace, work for justice.” Furthermore, one of the most basic concepts of environmentalism is that everything is interconnected. Ecosystems consist of plants, animals, water, sunlight, minerals, weather, and other natural elements that interact for sustainability. Disrupt any one of them and you disrupt the entire ecosystem.
Environmental problems cause hunger, displace populations, force mass migrations, and lead to conflicts over land, water, and other basic resources. These problems and conflicts spill across borders, so no nation is secure when environmental problems occur, even in other parts of the world. Several decades ago Sweden recognized that the world’s environmental problems threaten the world’s security, including Sweden’s security. Therefore, Sweden began devoting a meaningful percentage of its “defense” budget to addressing environmental problems.
Climate scientists are virtually unanimous that the climate crisis is real, is caused by humans, and is getting worse very rapidly. Ecological destruction is already happening more quickly than scientists had predicted just a few years ago. Already we are experiencing melting glaciers, melting arctic ice, unprecedented heat waves and droughts, terrible losses of crops, increased hurricanes and tornadoes, and other extreme weather disasters. These problems will get much, much worse in the coming years.
Many millions of people will starve. Many millions will be displaced. Many millions of people will be thrust together into violent conflicts. When a disaster occurs, who suffers most? The poor, the weak, the vulnerable – children, old people, people with disabilities, and so forth. Therefore, the climate crisis is BOTH a justice issue AND a peace issue. The climate crisis fits squarely in the crosshairs of FOR’s values and priorities. The climate crisis is something that the FOR MUST address. For the FOR, environmental concerns and the climate crisis are NOT “add-ons.” They are inherent and integral to our work for peace and justice.
The climate crisis is much worse and much more urgent than governments, mainstream media, businesses, the religious community, the peace movement, or almost anyone else recognizes.
So here is our choice: Either we deal with reality, or reality will deal with us. History and humankind need the FOR to be a leader in addressing the climate crisis. We have the values and the “big picture” vision to make a positive difference.