Climate March- Jim Harmon’s Recap

Bonnie and I had planned a trip to the Washington D.C. area with Bonnie’s brother and sister in law a year ago. We often join them for vacations through their Wyndham Resorts trips to various places. This time we were scheduled to stay for two weeks at the resort at National Harbor, which is located on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, about 7 miles south of D.C. Little did we know when we planned the vacation that it would coincide with the Climate March in D.C. on April 29^th.

Bonnie and I arrived at the March around 11 a.m. and the March started around 1:30 p.m.  We marched with about 200,000 other climate-concerned people from the area in front of the US Capitol building down Penn Ave. to the White House.  Then we surrounded the White House, and many of us joined in chants that mostly helped us all affirm our conviction to the notion of human-caused global warming, and the resulting climate changes that are threatening our planet. We had hoped to see John and Nancy Schalles at the March, too, but they were with a contingent of concerned scientists who were in another part of the long March.  Bonnie and I marched with a group of UCC members from all across the USA. We saw lots of clever signs, t-shirts, and costumes along the way. I’m sure you can go to the internet and find some of these.

I have these impressions of the March:

First, I am delighted that our vacation coincided with the March. I felt energized and educated by being there with thousands of other UCC members and others who care about our planet and the earth’s inhabitants, both those living now, and generations to come. Bonnie and I were both truly inspired to be there. We are called by God to care for our environment.

Second, marching in the Climate March reminded me that there is no Plan(et) B for earth. This is a one and done event for the human race and our environment. There are no “do-overs” if we blow it. The rising sea levels and catastrophic results of ignoring human-made climate change are a disaster waiting to happen. We can make a difference through our public policy, and our individual efforts to be stewards of God’s creation.

Finally, I am proud to part of a denomination that is so committed to this cause. You can go to our UCC website, which can be found at www.ucc.org, and find out more of what we will be doing in the future. I know that one march does not make a big difference in the grand scheme of things, but I am now committed to following the news related to climate change, and supporting our denomination’s, and other faith group’s responses to this dire concern. I hope you join me by being better informed. Let me know if you have any questions about the March, and what you can do to be more involved in caring for God’s planet and God’s people in the future. These are exciting times as we work together to care for creation and fulfill our calling as God’s people.

Jim Harmon