First observed in 1970, Earth Day was created as a global call to protect the environment—a moment to recognize our shared responsibility to care for the planet through sustainability and stewardship. Yet, more than fifty years later, Earth Day now unfolds in a world where the “drill, baby, drill” mindset still holds sway. This slogan, once a rallying cry for aggressive fossil fuel extraction, continues to shape policies championed by political figures like former President Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, James Inhofe, Rick Santorum, and Franklin Graham.
Advocates of this philosophy argue that tapping into domestic oil and gas supplies boosts national security, creates jobs, and lowers energy costs. For them, America's natural resources are vital for sustaining economic strength and global influence. They view environmental regulations as roadblocks to progress—believing that innovation can offset any ecological damage caused by fossil fuel dependence.
This divide around Earth Day reflects deeper ideological tensions—not only in politics, but in how individuals understand responsibility, discipleship, and collective action. On one side are those who emphasize personal faith practices—reading scripture, prayer, attending church, tithing—and who may express environmental concern by recycling, buying energy-efficient products, or driving electric cars. On the other side are those who view environmental advocacy as part of their spiritual duty—organizing for structural reform, supporting climate justice, and recognizing the disproportionate environmental harm endured by marginalized communities, especially Black and brown populations.
Christian perspectives on environmentalism have never been monolithic. Since the early days of Arbor Day and Earth Day, responses have ranged widely. Some Christians embrace ecological stewardship, citing Genesis 2:15’s charge to “work and keep” the Earth. Others view Earth Day with suspicion, associating it with secular or even pagan reverence for “Mother Earth.” Still others lean on Genesis 1:26’s reference to humanity’s “dominion” over the Earth as justification for exploiting natural resources. Taken together, these scriptures suggest a need for balance—recognizing both our authority over creation and our obligation to care for it wisely and compassionately.
Among evangelicals in particular, climate change remains a divisive topic. A Pew Research Center study found that only about a third (32%) of evangelical Protestants believe climate change is primarily caused by human activity, with similar portions attributing it to natural patterns or expressing skepticism altogether. In contrast, members of other faiths—and especially those unaffiliated with religion—tend to show higher levels of concern about climate change. Other Christian groups, such as Catholics, often fall somewhere in the middle.
Still, a growing movement within evangelical Christianity is embracing climate action. Initiatives like the Evangelical Climate Initiative (2006), statements from Southern Baptist leaders (2008), and organizations such as Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, Climate Stewards USA, Care of Creation, and A Rocha USA reflect a shift toward environmental responsibility. These groups advocate for climate solutions grounded in faith, equity, and justice.
Environmental justice has emerged as a key concern in this space. It emphasizes fair treatment of all people—regardless of race, income, or background—in the development and enforcement of environmental laws. Massachusetts, for example, defines environmental justice communities based on income level, minority status, and language barriers (though some suggest this definition should also consider the degree of environmental harm). These communities, often composed of low-income residents and people of color, are more likely to face pollution, extreme heat, toxic waste sites, and other environmental threats.
To be meaningful in today’s world, Earth Day must go beyond symbolic action. It must embrace environmental justice, energy justice, climate justice, and spatial justice. These interconnected frameworks spotlight the uneven effects of environmental harm and climate change—especially on historically oppressed groups—and advocate for a more equitable distribution of environmental benefits. Spatial justice, for instance, questions why landfills, power plants, and industrial waste sites are so often located in minority neighborhoods. Energy justice seeks equal access to renewable energy and a fair transition to a cleaner, greener economy.
Communities that can invest in green transitions reap the benefits: cleaner air, stronger economies, and improved health. Those left behind face the opposite—economic decline, growing inequality, and a degraded environment.
In this “drill baby drill” world, Earth Day should be a wake-up call: an invitation to reimagine our priorities and realign our values. It’s a chance to commit to a just transition away from fossil fuels and toward a future defined by sustainability, renewal, and shared responsibility.
Ultimately, Earth Day should not be merely a celebration—it should be a movement. A moral and spiritual challenge to protect the Earth, uplift the vulnerable, and build a more just and livable future for all.
0 Comments