As a Christian, I am happy to pay the carbon tax. As a woman of faith, I know that it is a responsibility given to us by God, a responsibility of which Jesus reminded us, to care for our earth. And our earth is in trouble right now. Forget the debates about whether this is fully human-caused or a natural environmental cycle, humans have had a part in making climate change worse, and we can have a part in lessening the effects.
I was driving to work this morning and watching the children bicycling and walking to school. I thought of my own sons, ages 19 and 21, just starting their adult lives and dreaming of their futures. I want to make sure that they have a future that is full of possibilities and promise, not devastated by constant natural disasters, food and water shortages, and the other effects of global warming. This week’s report that Canada is warming twice as fast as other places makes it all the more urgent that we in Canada do something to change our approach to life, so that our children have the future that we as parents and grandparents dream for them. Yet, the report got so little notice.
I hear Christians say, “God is in control. Whatever happens is God’s will.” I think that is a poor and deceptive reading of scripture. Look at the wonderful theological poem in Genesis 1. God clearly gives responsibility to humans to take care of all of creation. If I place a babysitter/house-sitter in charge of my children and home, what do I expect? I expect that everyone and everything will be well-cared for and in good shape when I return. Upon my return, I expect a tidy house, happy and healthy children, and no major damage to anything. That, I believe, is what God would expect from humans in caring for the earth. We have been given a responsibility to care for this planet; we need to do a better job, and change what we are doing, now that we know the effect that some of our choices have had.
Jesus reinforced this responsibility we have to care for what God has entrusted to us in the parable in which a landowner leases his land to tenants and then goes on extended travels. The reaction of the landowner is harsh when he returns to find that they have misused his property and killed the messengers, who came to check in on his behalf. (Matthew 21:33-41)
So, sitting back and saying, “God will take care of it all,” is contrary to the teachings of scripture. We have been given a responsibility as followers of Jesus to take care of this planet on which we live. The time now is urgent for people to step up in new ways to reduce our impact on the climate.
That’s why I am happy to pay the carbon tax. I’m also happy that those who are financially stretched are receiving a rebate to help them. Even a conservative think-tank, the Pembina Institute, has affirmed that a Carbon Tax works at reducing emissions while maintaining a strong economy. Analysis in various places, which have implemented a carbon tax, have shown that it works in reducing people’s use of fossil fuels, and we are going to have to do that. At the same time, I am concerned for all of those who work in the oil and gas industry and would like to see the proceeds from the carbon tax help broaden the jobs to new and emerging energy sectors. We have no more time to waste in pretending that the carbon tax is just a tax grab.
I say all of this out of my Christian faith. I am devoted to following the Way of Jesus. I have given my heart to Jesus. To live my faith, I believe I must do my part to care for the earth. I’m prepared to sacrifice in other ways, so that my children have a future full of possibilities and promise. If paying a Carbon Tax helps, and research says it does, then I’m happy to pay the carbon tax.
P.S. I’m also happy to pay all of my taxes, because I love the excellent health care, education, roads and infrastructure we have. It takes money to make these happen and I’m happy to do my share.
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