A Public Witness

A Public Witness

Share this post

A Public Witness
A Public Witness
Changing the Climate
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Changing the Climate

Brian Kaylor's avatar
Beau Underwood's avatar
Brian Kaylor
and
Beau Underwood
Oct 28, 2021
∙ Paid
4

Share this post

A Public Witness
A Public Witness
Changing the Climate
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
Share

“By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!”

With those words, the environmental superhero announced his arrival on every episode of Captain Planet and the Planeteers. That weird cartoon from the early 90s, which both of us watched at least a couple episodes of as kids, tried to inspire the next generation of environmentalists. Episode after episode conveyed the message that, by working together, humans could halt the ecological destruction of the world. 

Yet, the show’s premise undermined its own agenda. Human efforts alone were not enough to save the planet from the “eco-villains” threatening to harm it. The major crises required a blue-guy in red undies and boots to come to the rescue. Actually saving the planet took more than human effort alone. 

That’s a scary thought because there is no superhero actually arriving to solve climate change. As our world heats up, destroying ecosystems and altering weather patterns, humans are the only ones capable of responding. Nobody else will rescue us from this looming disaster of our own making. 

As world leaders prepare to gather next week in Scotland for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), this edition of A Public Witness mines what this international effort entails and why Christians spend time advocating in such meetings. We’ll also illuminate how Christians bring a different, complementary perspective to this common cause that could determine our shared futures.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to A Public Witness to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Word&Way
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More