Bipartisan Congressional action is vital to catalyze the necessary national and global solutions to climate disruption. FCNL's Call to Conscience on Climate Disruption seeks to dissipate the partisan logjam through a faith-filled, non-partisan moral call, led by concerned citizens across the nation, dialoguing directly and constructively with legislators. Faith-based approaches to contentious issues – when grounded in concern for the most vulnerable peoples and recognizing the Light within all people – can dissipate divisiveness and focus on values of fellowship, redemption, and a shared purpose.

For the past 3 years, we have adopted this approach with key legislators from both parties, asking that they come together to publicly declare that climate disruption is real, is primarily caused by human activities, and is inflicting great harm on present generations and our beloved Earth. This modest yet significant first step is necessary before solutions can happen: for Congress to solve a problem (climate disruption and partisan paralysis), it must first admit it has one.

We are pleased that after three years, the tone of Congress on climate disruption is indeed changing.

The Republican Climate Resolution

On September 17, 2015, a week prior to Pope Francis’ address to Congress, Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) and 10 fellow House Republicans introduced a climate resolution – House Resolution 424 – the first formal and affirmative statement on climate disruption by a group of elected Republicans in Congress since 2008. It is the beginning of a new bipartisan spirit in Congress for meaningful legislation that can address the root causes and impacts of climate disruption.