Is Climate Change a Shame?

Modern Family

Five years ago there was a very funny exchange between Mitchell, the environmental lawyer character on the comedy series Modern Family and a holier and greener-than-thou neighbour. They engage in a tense back-and-forth about their environmental efforts and each time the neighbour finds Mitchell wanting. Later in the episode (see the clip below) the hyper-vigilant and self-righteous guy admits to Mitchell that he has no friends. Little wonder.
https://ew.com/article/2014/01/14/modern-family-sneak-peek-jesse-eisenberg/

It is a challenge to be concerned about the well-being of the planet and not enter shaming and criticism of others. Am I less than impressed that several of my own neighbours have sprinkler systems which are often running in the midst of a rainstorm? Oh yeah. Am I smug that we are the only household with a clothesline on our court? I try not to think that way.

Earlier this week CBC's The Current radio program interviewed Katharine Hayhoe, one of my environmental heroes. She is a Canadian climate scientist teaching in Texas and has become a relentlessly honest and positive spokesperson about the realities and threats we face without concerted action to address the climate crisis. The interview which includes two other climate scientists is really worthwhile.
https://podcast-a.akamaihd.net/mp3/podcasts/current-SUB832NI-20190819.mp3

Hayhoe is also a Christian and she takes fire from all directions aimed at her by supposed brothers and sisters in Christ. There are plenty on the religious right in the United States who deny climate change out of a bizarre notion that it is anti-Christian to admit that it could be real. But she has also faced sanctimony from those who are on the left and figure she isn't doing enough, personally.

Hayhoe recalls being told by a fellow climate activist that "every time you turn on your car, you're sinning." "My visceral reaction to somebody saying that to me was: 'Oh, so when I take my child to the doctor, you're saying I'm sinning? When I go to work to support my family, I'm sinning?'" She told guest host Matt Galloway "that shaming made me want to just go out and find a Hummer and drive circles around that person." Hayhoe emphasized that the "most important thing to do is to begin that conversation with what we most agree about, rather than what we most disagree about."

In many respects Christianity is "caught" rather than "taught", even though education in faith, as with everything else, is important. We would do well to set the best possible example in our daily lives and resist the temptation to be sanctimonious or judgmental or shaming with others. Now, how do I apply this to the Ford government in Ontario? Nah, can't do it...

https://ew.com/article/2014/01/14/modern-family-sneak-peek-jesse-eisenberg/