“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)

I’ve been reflecting on this reality as I have listened to the debates around a price on pollution this week.

As Christians, we embrace the core belief that we are not owners of creation, but stewards. It all belongs to God. Our responsibility as stewards is to use creation and care for it in ways that are consistent with the teaching of Jesus, the character of God, and the nature of the kingdom. That will necessarily include ensuring the way we use our resources results in justice for the world’s poor.

Our perspective on a price on pollution needs to be God centred and other centred. Certainly we consider our own needs, but never only our own needs. That’s the distinctive voice that has been missing from this debate, and one that Christians can bring – a selfless voice – and a necessary voice.

Our position on climate change:

Micah Challenge Australia is a campaign focused on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and halving poverty by 2015. Micah Challenge is not a climate change campaign. However, the poor communities that our coalition partners work with around the world are dealing with the effects of a changing environment. This issue is posing a very real threat to the achievement of the MDGs.

That’s why Micah Challenge has been asking the Australian government to take a leadership position in efforts to reduce climate change as part of our Share the Earth: MDG7 campaign.

We welcome the government’s announcement on Sunday because it represents a step towards Australia showing leadership in efforts to reduce climate change – which is what we’ve been asking them to do. Click here to download a full outline of our response to the government’s announcement and the the Micah Challenge coalition’s position on climate change.

So what are we asking you – our supporters – to do?

Pray and act!
– Join Christians around the world to pray for creation.
– Let your politician know you care by running a Share the Table event.
– Learn more about MDG7 and our other environmental asks, such as water and sanitation.
– Read our latest blog that explores this important issue and join in the discussion – we welcome your thoughts about ways we can speak out for and with the global poor.

While we acknowledge that climate change can be a confusing and sometimes controversial issue, we also believe it is vitally important that we do not forget the world’s poorest people as we continue to seek a sustainable future for our environment and the people who depend on it.

Thanks for the work you are doing standing with and for the world’s poorest people.

– John Beckett
National Coordinator, Micah Challenge Australia

Micah Challenge Australia
Ph: (02) 9356 8500
www.micahchallenge.org.au

Micah Challenge is a global campaign to mobilise Christians against poverty, in the spirit of Micah 6:8 “…what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”,and in support of the Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty by 2015.