For many years now, the environment has been seen as a heavily partisan, mostly left-of-center issue. The word itself conjures up many images: groups working to save the spotted owl in the Pacific Northwest, Greenpeace protests at oil-drilling rigs or perhaps an SUV-burning graduate student from California. Increasingly, however, the environment is an issue where Christians, Republican or Democrat, are finding common ground.

The Bible is full of nature imagery, from most of the Psalms to Jesus' mandate to "consider the lilies." For MCC and its constituent churches, it is not only about enjoying the beauty of nature, but also about caring properly for what we have been given by God. Mennonite environmentalist Art Meyer writes, "I am an environmentalist because I am a Christian."

MCC's environmental field work around the world has focused primarily on reforestation, sustainable agriculture education and providing safe drinking water. MCC workers in Appalachia have closely followed the impact of the mining industry on the land and its people. The practice of removing mountaintops and dumping them into valley streams degrades the land, contaminates the water and increases flooding.

The Washington Office considers environmental policies by asking not only, "What is helpful for us now?" but also "What will be healthy for our children? For our children's children?"

Following are some of the environmental issues covered by the Washington Office:

Climate change. There is now strong scientific consensus that the atmosphere is warming because of increased fossil fuel use. Changes include rising sea levels, lowered food yields and even thriving colonies of stinkbugs in London, long considered too cold for the tropical insects. Meanwhile, the Climate Stewardship Act is languishing in Congress.

Renewable energy. The United States relies heavily on coal, oil and gas for its energy - all very finite resources - while providing little funding or tax credits for renewable energy initiatives such as wind and solar power, geothermal heating and hybrid vehicles.

Air and water pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that nearly 100 million U.S. Americans breathe dirty air. Unfortunately, the government has recently weakened, not strengthened, federal regulations on arsenic, mercury and toxic emissions.

Eco-justice. Poor communities and communities of color bear a disproportionate amount of water and air pollution.

Water privatization. According to the UN, more than 30 countries are currently facing water scarcity and 1 billion people lack access to clean water. Global corporations are attempting to purchase water rights. In response, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) recently introduced the Water for the World Resolution to consider water a human right, not a commodity.

Biblical Reflection: The Environment