The Invading Sea
  • In the News
  • Editorials
    • Earlier opinion pieces in South Florida media about climate, rising seas
  • Elections
  • Influencers
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Invading Sea
  • In the News
  • Editorials
    • Earlier opinion pieces in South Florida media about climate, rising seas
  • Elections
  • Influencers
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Invading Sea
No Result
View All Result

Christmas is a time to imagine how people working together can devise ways to address the threats from the warming climate

Floridians need to work together to protect the salt marshes and coastal forests that protect us from wind and flooding

by Kipp Nelson
December 24, 2020
in Influencers
0

By Kipp Nelson, Minister of Outreach at First United Methodist Church of Miami

The year of 2020 has put us all through the ringer a time or two.

As if a global pandemic and economic recession weren’t enough, add a worsening climate crisis to the mix. It appears that all of us need a little hope right about now.

As a person of faith, my hope lives in the things unseen.

That means trusting in the innate goodness of the world to bring about something positive from the chaos.

Kipp Nelson

Having hope is about cultivating hope in community. This is crucial in understanding our role amidst the climate crisis.

To weather the climate crisis, Floridians must preserve God’s coastal creation — such as salt marshes to blunt the rising seas and coastal forests to buffer hurricane winds. But we must do our part to preserve these natural gifts.

As a faith leader in Miami, I see firsthand how the climate crisis is affecting our communities and our land. More and stronger storms are causing expensive and chronic flooding. We need action.

Florida needs a climate plan that protects our public lands and waters.

We should make our natural coastal protections stronger and more resilient. Preserving and protecting these places isn’t just good for ecosystems; it benefits our human communities at the same time.

During this Christmas season, I am reminded of God’s desire to partner with humanity.

God isn’t a magician. God is a divine universal force that longs for a relationship with humanity. In that relationship, God gives us our own agency to choose good or not.

It is important to realize that we are citizens of Earth, and therefore we have a responsibility beyond our local context.

At the national level, we can urge Congress and the incoming Biden-Harris Administration to take action that creates coastal resilience and stewardship jobs. We can also support a strong U.S. role in the global goal to support strong biodiversity conservation protections for at least 30 percent of God’s Earth by 2030.

The Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary and the Everglades are ideal locations that need extra protection. Sen. Marco Rubio has a great opportunity to protect them in the new Congress.

While many of us are praying for miracles to heal our world, it is essential for us to remember our part in that healing. Might we come together and cultivate hope for a better future for us all. Let’s do our part.

Kipp Nelson serves as the Minister of Outreach and Evangelism at First United Methodist Church of Miami where he is an ally and advocate for social justice.

“The Invading Sea” is the opinion arm of the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a collaborative of news organizations across the state focusing on the threats posed by the warming climate.

 

Tags: Biden-Harris administrationEvergladesFirst United Methodist Church of MiamiFlorida Keys Marine SanctuaryKipp NelsonSen. Marco Rubio
Previous Post

Stop oil drilling in the Bahamas before it starts; the risk of environmental disaster is too great

Next Post

Gov. DeSantis’ welcome commitment to Lake Okeechobee reservoir and Everglades restoration

Related Posts

Mayor’s veto was right: Miami’s growth shouldn’t increase the risk of flooding and endanger the restoration of the Everglades
Editorials

Mayor’s veto was right: Miami’s growth shouldn’t increase the risk of flooding and endanger the restoration of the Everglades

by The Miami Herald Editorial Board
November 12, 2022
Not word about clean water from Florida candidates Charlie Crist and Ron DeSantis?
Editorials

Not word about clean water from Florida candidates Charlie Crist and Ron DeSantis?

by Treasure Coast Newspapers Editorial Board
October 30, 2022
Mermaid Michi: Water districts are ‘failing miserably’ as Florida’s springs deteriorate
Influencers

Many of Florida’s most important waterways are dying

by Robert Knight
October 26, 2022
Next Post
The state and federal governments are finally providing money to restore the Everglades, but voters and activists must continue to apply political pressure

Gov. DeSantis’ welcome commitment to Lake Okeechobee reservoir and Everglades restoration

Twitter Facebook

About the Project

The Invading Sea is a collaboration by news organizations across Florida to address the threat we face from sea-level rise. We want to raise awareness, amplify the voice of our region and create a call to action that can’t be ignored. Read More

Archives

Categories

Audio Editorials Faces of Sea Level Rise Influencers In The News Other The Business of Climate Change Video

Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required


© 2022 The Invading Sea

No Result
View All Result
  • In the News
  • Editorials
    • Earlier opinion pieces in South Florida media about climate, rising seas
  • Elections
  • Influencers
  • About

© 2022 The Invading Sea

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In