Thread by @BBuchman_CNS

REPORT: Ringing in the first meeting of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, a group of young leaders and activists called on Congress Thursday to take a bipartisan stance against manmade climate change before time runs out.
courthousenews.com/inaugural-hear…
@CourthouseNews

I would particularly like to emphasize a particular moment in today's hearing. Melody Zhang, co-chair of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, showcased - and quite eloquently at that - that climate change is not a secular or liberal issue.

“The religious community cares a lot about [climate change] because it is directly tied to our love of god and neighbor. This is a humanitarian crisis and not hypothetical. It already impacting people who Jesus told us to draw closer to.” - Zhang

Historic flooding in Nebraska killed three & destroyed entire communities, Cyclone Idai killed 750 and displaced over 100,00. California wildfires killed 104 people. And all of these events, Zhang said, are linked to human behavior which has exacerbated climate change.

“If I do nothing, I am complicit. More than this, I am disobedient," Zhang said of her faith, the very force that she said guides her to address the impact of climate change.

"As political leaders, especially ones of faith, I implore you to respond faithfully & w/full force to love God & neighbor by enacting just, compassionate & transformative climate policies rising to the challenge of the climate crisis," she said.