The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has issued a pastoral letter on the urgency of climate action. The Church of the Brethren is a founding member of the NCC. The denomination’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy relates with the NCC as a partner organization and is commending the letter.
The full text of the letter follows:
NCC: A Pastoral Letter on the Urgency of Climate Action
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1, NRSVue
Dear Beloved Community,
As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to care for the earth and all who inhabit it. Today, we write to you with a deep sense of urgency and concern for the escalating impacts of climate change and extreme weather on our communities, our nation, and our world.
The evidence is undeniable, and the statistics are alarming. According to the American Climate Perspectives Survey 2025, Vol. III by EcoAmerica, this year alone, we have witnessed:
- A doubling of July floods compared to the average year-to-date, devastating communities across the nation.
- 15,000 warm-weather records broken in March 2025, with human-caused climate change making extreme heat at least three times more likely for nearly half of the U.S. population.
- A heat wave season that is now 46 days longer than it was in the 1960s across 50 major U.S. cities.
- 33,552 wildfires burning over 1.7 million acres as of June 27, 2025—double the number of fires during the same period in 2024.
These numbers are not just statistics. They represent lives disrupted, homes destroyed, and futures imperiled. The impacts of extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires are felt most acutely by the vulnerable among us: the sick, the elderly, the poor, and the marginalized.
Yet, amidst this crisis, there is hope. Recent research from EcoAmerica shows that over 80 percent of Americans are more concerned about climate change due to extreme heat, and nearly 90 percent recognize its impact on health. This growing awareness spans political divides, with significant increases in climate concern among Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike.
As people of faith, we must seize this moment to act. We urge you to:
- Pray for our leaders to have the courage and wisdom to enact policies that protect our planet and its people.
- Contact your elected officials and demand immediate action to address climate change, including restoring funding to FEMA and NOAA to safeguard our communities.
- Engage your congregations and communities in climate education and advocacy, using resources like those provided by EcoAmerica to inspire collective action.
Let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” (Romans 8:19). Creation is groaning under the weight of our inaction, and it is time for us to rise as faithful stewards of God’s earth.
Together, we can turn the tide. Together, we can honor God’s call to care for creation and ensure a livable future for generations to come.
In faith and solidarity,
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
— Find out more about the NCC at https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us
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