Posted on 03/09/2018 10:18:38 AM PST by Simon Green
Environmentalist religious leaders sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday, urging him to halt expansion of off-shore drilling to “protect God’s marine creation.”
Hundreds of church leaders from the National Religious Partnership for the Environment signed the letter addressed to Trump and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, to add their voices to the opposition against plans to expand offshore natural gas and oil drilling and seismic testing, according to The Washington Examiner. Religious leaders sent the letter in response to Zinke’s Jan. 4 announcement of plans to make over 90 percent of the federally-owned acreage in the outer continental shelf available for expanded drilling and seismic testing.
“Offshore drilling brings unacceptable risks to God’s oceans and coastal communities,” the religious leaders wrote.
“Expanding drilling into our Arctic, Atlantic, Eastern Gulf of Mexico and Pacific waters—still largely unspoiled by drilling’s inherent hazards and harms—would put our coastal residents, businesses, oceans, and climate at grave risk. Exposing the Gulf of Mexico to additional drilling would further burden residents with the pollution and risks that have already caused great, lasting harm to the region. God created the oceans with an abundance of life and, as stewards of God’s earth, we should work to preserve and protect God’s marine creation. As people of faith, we also uphold our duty to love our neighbors. Oceans provide food sources and livelihoods for millions in the U.S. and globally,” the letter added.
The church leaders instead suggested that the administration focus on developing renewable energy resources, particularly wind and solar power. Wind power, however, has garnered criticism not just for its harmful effects on birds and bats, but also for the newly discovered deadly effects of wind turbine noise on marine life.
Zinke’s announcement of the plans for expanded drilling explained that the move is meant to help the U.S. gain energy independence from foreign markets, but also to establish the U.S. as a dominant player in the energy industry worldwide. Walter Cruickshank, director for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said in the letter that while the primary goal is to help increase U.S. economic competitiveness, the administration aims to do so in a way that is environmentally safe.
“American energy production can be competitive while remaining safe and environmentally sound,” the letter quotes Cruickshank as saying. “Public input is a crucial part of this process, and we hope to hear from industry groups, elected officials, other government agencies, concerned citizens and others as we move forward with developing the 2019-2024 National OCS Program.”
Religious leaders from the NRPE alleged, however, that the plans could not be environmentally safe by virtue of the fact that, according to them, oil drilling will inevitably result in environmental disaster.
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment was founded in 1993 by four major religious organizations and alliances that together serve tens of millions of Americans.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, comprising the Catholic bishops of the United States and the Virgin Islands, which participates in the Partnership through its Environmental Justice Program and through its affiliated organization, Catholic Climate Covenant.
The National Council of Churches of Christ, a council of 37 Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Peace Churches, and African American denominations, which participates in the Partnership through its affiliated organization, Creation Justice Ministries.
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a coordinating organization of 15 national Jewish organizations and 125 local Jewish federations and community relations councils, which participates in the Partnership through its affiliated organization, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.
The Evangelical Environmental Network, a coalition of 23 evangelical Christian programs and educational institutions.
Separation of Church and State - ignore him /s
[[The church leaders instead suggested that the administration focus on developing renewable energy resources, particularly wind and solar power.]]
Yeah because it’s not like wind power has killed countless birds over the years or anything- guess some of God’s creatures are more important to this ‘religious leader’ than others eh?
At least they are finally admitting that radical environmentalism is a religion.
Hundreds of church leaders are whores for the $$$ and are being paid for their advocacy.
Some animals are more equal than others.
Put chopping windmills near fiery solar farms....and a KFC down the road. Can’t get more efficient than that.
Caribou love pipelines and fish love off shore oil rigs
And that’s a fact
Looks like a group with an agenda that's more than just spreading the word of God.
Of course, Leftists will have no problem with this religious group "intervening" in government, but watch out if they switch to abortion protests.....
Wonder how many of them have electricity and drive cars? Or eat anything?
Areas where oil is a resource in the ocean, generally have seepage.
Perhaps these folks should talk to God about His vast mistake.
Apparently, Poseidon will be very angry, and we can’t have that ...
“National Religious Partnership for the Environment”
Gaia worshipers.
Where are the Outdoor Methodists?
These fish worshipers claim Trump is killing their gods.
Subdue it.
Actually this is not true. Build in oil rig in the ocean and in months it is a thriving environment of marine creatures. They love it.
I hope these “pastors” know that crude oil seeps up to the surface in many places on the earth.
5.56mm
Religious organization my butt!
They are nothing but a Left-Wing Political Organization with a FAKE thin veneer of religiousity.
There is nothing of God’s Righteousness in their cause.
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