As women of faith, our ethic of environmental stewardship is informed by prophetic counsel. For example, President Russell M. Nelson proclaimed: “We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.”
Likewise, Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principle of Ethical Government (2f) states: “Governments and members of society have an obligation to exercise responsible stewardship of the earth, thereby protecting not only the wellbeing of their citizens, but also that of both future generations and other citizens of the planet (see D&C 59:18-21 and D&C 104:13-15).”
Because environmental issues occur on a large scale, we must find broad solutions founded in institutional reform if we are to achieve lasting impact. This responsibility is not a partisan issue but a human one, and environmental protections have historically motivated compromise across ideological and party lines.
We are at a critical juncture for taking effective action and implementing policy to mitigate the effects of climate change. This is particularly urgent for poor and marginalized communities, who are disproportionately impacted by climate change. The climate is changing independent of partisan interests or national boundaries — it is a concern that must be tackled collaboratively. Currently, proposed infrastructure legislation focuses on climate change and addresses other environmental issues, such as improving water infrastructure. Other upcoming environmental policies emphasize land conservation and market-based strategies for carbon reduction.
This letter-writing campaign began in honor of Earth Day (April 22), urging members of Congress to prioritize effective environmental policies. With the authors’ permission, we’re reprinting some of those letters here.
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