Disciples of Christ General Assembly Adopts Carbon Neutrality

Targets Carbon Neutrality by 2030, Carbon Positive by 2035

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Jul 10, 2017, 15:35 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today nearly 4,000 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leaders voted unanimously to commit themselves to achieve zero net impact on our climate. The historic resolution, created in collaboration with ecoAmerica, was adopted by the 2017 General Assembly meeting in Indianapolis. It calls on individuals, congregations, and ministries to achieve neutrality by the year 2030, and pull carbon out of the atmosphere by 2035.

"Disciples have a strong tradition of creating a more just world for our children, communities, and future generations," said Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, who supported the resolution. "Today, we are called to bring our leadership to the moral challenge of climate change. Damage to our climate puts the health of our children and elderly at risk, hurts the poorest among us the most, and diminishes God's creation. This resolution amplifies our efforts to empower our congregations and over 450,000 members to increase climate literacy, support climate solutions and policies, and take active measures to restore creation."

Disciples Home Missions, a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is supporting the resolution through the Green Chalice ministry. A Faith In Action toolkit and inspiring video featuring Midway Christian Church in Kentucky, was developed in collaboration with non-profit ecoAmerica through their Blessed Tomorrow Program.

"As part of the growing impact of faith climate leadership, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is demonstrating groundbreaking leadership through this resolution," said Bob Perkowitz, ecoAmerica President. "Americans are concerned about climate change, and the Disciples are catalyzing a new era of diverse climate action that other denominations can model."

About Disciples of Christ: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, Disciples welcome all to the Lord's table as God has welcomed us. www.disciples.org

About ecoAmerica: ecoAmerica is a national nonprofit that builds institutional leadership, public support, and political will for climate solutions in the United States. Blessed Tomorrow is a program of ecoAmerica.

SOURCE ecoAmerica