As we approach the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and another Earth Sunday in our faith communities, I offer you a song. As we shelter in place, trying to figure out how to continue our work to flatten the emissions curve while doing all we can to lowerthe trajectory of the viral one, I offer you One Step At A Time, a song I created for an Earth Sunday past.  The bridge to the final chorus puts these words to song: 

Now we are called God’s Stewards and I’m just a child like you.
Won’t our grandchildren’s grandchildren’s grandchildren
Want to know we did all we could do?  It’s really up to you. 

This global pandemic of corona virus, brings so much to grieve and lament. The on-going and ever-present pandemic of climate chaos and injustice calls out the same grief and lamentation.  Both pandemics can teach us much, if we pay attention.  Among the teachings:

1. In death and life, we are all in this together.
2. We can choose life.  What we do does make a difference.
3. The most effective test we can develop is truth, the antidote to denial. 
4. The best vaccine is community. What we do together has the power to save us.
5. Where it concerns our epidemiological and emission footprints, staying closer to home saves live

The only word I would change of the original bridge above is the last one.  “It’s really up to you.” should really be “It’s really up to US.”As I watch the daily corona-virus briefings from the White House, I hope for the day when we have a Climate Justice Commission established at the White House level giving us daily briefings on species extinction curves and our next steps to reduce and drawdown emissions and care for the most vulnerable among us.  I truly believe, this kind of response is what it will take.  Anyone (elder, youth, adult or child) can learn how to wash hands, sterilize counters, check in on the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods and support those on the frontlines.  In the same way, we can all change light bulbs, choose solar panels or political action.  All these acts combine to help us as global humanity see ourselves in a different light.Stay home.  Stay healthy.  Care for our neighbors.  Speak truth and remember, hope is contagious.  

(You can download the MP3 here)

LYRICS

Refrain:    
We can take one step to stop global warming! Take one step, one step at a time.
We can work together, Kenny, Kashi, Heather! (this line changes each time)
We can stop global warming one step at a time! (2-3-4, 1-2-3-4)

Verse 1:
Even though I’m not so old, I can change a light bulb.
Everybody short or tall can switch off the lights in the bedroom hall.
And my dad can take a shorter shower and seal the windows tight.
Everybody sharing power, helps us see the world in a different light.

Refrain:
We can take one step to stop global warming! Take one step, one step at a time.
We can save God’s Planet!  Keenan, Jane or Janet! (this line changes each time)
We can stop global warming one step at a time! (2-3-4, 1-2-3-4)

Verse 2:
We all grow up dreaming of driving our very own car.
Oceans rise, Creation cries and it doesn’t seem the childhood dream gets us far.
So take one step by walking.  Ride the bus or train.
Carpools might not be so cool, but a little loss of freedom is everyone’s gain.

Refrain:
We can take one step to stop global warming! Take one step, one step at a time.
Climate’s reeling, time to start the healing!  (this line changes each time)
We can stop global warming one step at a time! (2-3-4, 1-2-3-4)

Verse 3:                             
We ship food around the world, heating up the sky,
As friendly farmers right next door grow the same produce! Tell me why                
We “marinate our food in crude oil”—–while children starve…… it ain’t right. (1)
We can bring our banquet home,  cooling down the climate with every bite!

Refrain:
We can take one step to stop global warming! Take one step, one step at a time.
We can eat short distance.  Savor our existence!  (this line changes each time)
We can stop global warming one step at a time! (2-3-4, 1-2-3-4)

Verse 4:                             
If your place is sunny, get your solar panels.
If it’s gray or shady all day,  generate your power in a different way…
Like you could write the President, your senator or mayor.
Or use your feet.  Protest in the street, so future generations might have a prayer!

Bridge:       
Now we are called God’s Stewards and I’m just a child like you!        
Won’t our grandchildren’s grandchildren’s grandchildren
Want to know we did all we could do?  It’s really up to you!

Refrain:    
We can take one step to stop global warming, take one step, one step at a time!                                                        
Congregations! Future generations!  
We can stop global warming one step at a time!  Stop global warming one step at a time!
Stop global warming one step (2-3-4) at – a – time-2-3-4-1 Take a step

1. Bill McKibben, Deep Economy:  The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future (Henry Holt: NY) 2007