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A movement akin to the Civil Rights revolution is taking off. By now most people are realizing that something is wrong, and that's a good sign. If we can energize only a small percent of that majority we can change the course of history. And we're beginning to see what kind of movement it will or can be. 1) It will have to be broad, including not only the Step it Up eco-activists, but members of Congress, sorority sisters, evangelical congregations, chambers of commerce, and folks from many other walks of life. 2) It must be about justice, of all kinds. The energy we're wasting is needed to pull people out of poverty. We need to tackle unemployment by creating green jobs, for example, installing solar systems and weatherizing homes. 3) It must involve a positive vision of what the world looks like on the other end of this crisis. We need to be working for a more peaceful world than the one we inhabit at the moment. McKibben's new book, Deep Economy, talks a lot about this.

A growing number of determined folks are taking back their communities. Local farmers' markets are the fastest growing sector of the economy. Someone recently did a study of social interaction in supermarkets versus farmers' markets. In the latter there were ten times the number of interpersonal conversations per visit. Through these modest but manifold beginnings, a new world is beginning to form. And it will form much faster when we do the political work to make sure that prices for food and energy reflect their true cost.

We have realistic models. The average western European uses less than one-half the fuel that the average North American uses. You don't hear Europeans complaining about "high" taxes, because they know they are getting a bargain in terms of efficient mass transit and healthy communities. So preventing the disaster of global warming does not have to involve a radical, revolutionary change, only a slightly different way of looking at the world. That's the long-term vision. In the short term, however, we have to work for emergency political action, especially getting Congress to put caps on carbon emissions.

A broad faith-based environmental movement IS taking shape. The brave stand that a national group of evangelical Christians recently took on global warming is shaking one pillar of political power. It makes a big difference when the incredible radicalness of the Gospels becomes real to the 80 percent of people who claim to be religious. They are no longer getting bogged down in debates about parts per million of CO2. They are heeding the commandment to love God and their neighbors as themselves. They realize that their "neighbors" include the 400 million Asians and Africans who will have to leave their homes if the polar ice caps slide into sea. No reform movement in this society has ever succeeded without being grounded in such moral principles.

There's no guarantee we'll suceed, but we're going to try. Given the magnitude of the problem and the shortness of time, our only hope is to make changes in Washington and then move on to the international community. What three things can we do? Organize, organize, organize. Then think about putting in that new compact fluorescent light bulb. •

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2007 saw a rise in the concern for Earth among Friends in vocal ministry and discussions. We were delighted to learn the Nobel Peace Prize had been awarded to Al Gore Jr. for his work to raise consciousness about global warming. But much more remains to be done. Rising sea levels are threatening coastal regions. Eleven of the past 12 years have been the warmest on record. Crop production is declining. Species are going extinct at a faster rate.

We need your help to continue integrating Earthcare with Friends' historic testimonies on peace, justice, and equality. Postage rates and other costs have risen, so we would greatly appreciate a special contribution to help us continue and broaden this vital ministry.