Maple Syrup, the Christian Right and Global Warming

by Cheri Cabot

Winters in Vermont have become warmer and shorter, threatening the livelihood of ‘sugar makers’ as maple syrup producers are called.  Several weeks of cold, below freezing, temperatures are necessary for maple trees to produce sap, which in turn is made into syrup. However, since 1971, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, winter temperatures in the Northwest have increased by 2.8 degrees.

Burr Morse, a Vermont sugar maker, tapped his trees a month early last year, but instead of producing his usual 1,000 gallons of syrup, he only made 700 gallons. In an interview with the New York Times, Mr. Morse said, “You might be tempted to say, well that’s a bunch of baloney — global warming. But the way I feel, we get too much warm. How many winters are we going to go with Decembers turning into short-sleeve weather, before the maple trees say, ‘I don’t like it here any more?’”

That is exactly what the maple trees might be saying. Barrett N. Rock, a professor of natural resources at the University of New Hampshire, stated, “The climate that we used to have here in New England has moved north to the point where it’s now in Quebec.”  As a result, a larger percent of syrup production has shifted to Canada. (N.Y. Times)

But it’s not just the sugar makers who would suffer from the demise of maple trees in Vermont. Tourism is a significant part of the economy, from fall tours to view the colorful changing leaves, to maple syrup festivals and trips to sugar maple orchards.

“It appears to be a rather dire situation for the maple industry in the Northeast if conditions continue to go toward the predictions that have been made for global warming,” said Tim Perkins, director of Proctor Maple Research Center at the University of Vermont. (N.Y. Times)

However, not everybody is embracing the idea that global warming is important.

Richard Cizik, vice president of the National Association of Evangelicals, has begun to speak out and lobby on behalf of environmental issues, including global warming, and as a result has drawn the ire of several conservative Christian leaders.

In a January “All Things Considered” interview on NPR, Cizik, recalls a revelation he experienced after attending an environmental conference at Oxford University.

“I came away absolutely convinced not only of the science but that I should do my part in this, in helping to persuade other evangelicals of their rightful role.” Cizik stated.

He went on to say, “If coal-burning utility plants emit nitrous oxides, mercury, which is then transmitted into our rivers and lakes, ingested by fish eaten by pregnant women who then pass it along to their unborn children and babies, then isn’t that a sanctity-of-life-issue?” (NPR)

James C. Dobson, chairman of Focus on the Family, Gary L. Bauer, president of Coalitions for America, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, and Paul Weyrich, chairman of American Values (none of whom belong to the National Association of Evangelicals) have written to Cizik, asking him to stop speaking on global warming. They feel he is diverting attention from more important issues, such as abortion and homosexuality. Because of this, and even though they don’t belong to Cizik’s organization, they think he should be asked to resign.

In their letter to Cizik they wrote, “We have observed that Cizik and others are using the global warming controversy to shift the emphasis from the great moral issues of our time. Those issues are a need to campaign against abortion and same-sex marriage and to promote ‘the teaching of sexual abstinence and morality to our children.’” (N.Y.Times)

Shift the emphasis from the great moral issues of our time? Isn’t global warming one of the great moral issues of our time? Aren’t we taught that we are stewards of the earth, and therefore responsible for its care? Isn’t the demise of our planet as we know it an important issue to address, and as Cizik pointed out, a sanctity-of-life-issue?

Perhaps these same “leaders” should pull their collective heads out of the sand and encourage their followers to help in the fight against global warming with the same zeal they address sexual issues.  As Christian soldiers they could lead the fight against environmental abuse and be a mighty force.

Global warming isn’t an important issue?

Explain that to the generations to come why we so recklessly damaged the environment beyond repair.

Tell that to Burr Morse, who is fearful of losing a sugar bush farm that has been in his family for over 200 years because the winters have become shorter and warmer.

Tell that to the maple trees of Vermont.

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Cheri Cabot, Politics Correspondent
Cheri’s column, “Personal About Politics”, published every Tuesday, will reflect on how the life of a 57 year-old, middle class woman is affected by politics, policy and the current state of the nation – a look at the personal aspects of politics. The articles will be posted to Politics.gather.com as part of Gather Essentials.

You’ll find Cheri and other Politics Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other Politics experts at Politics.gather.com

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