Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s Answer to Climate Change: Start Prayin’
Wild weather is once again upon us. Tornadoes have ravaged the midwest and the south (nearly 200 people have been killed in five states as of this morning). Meanwhile, Texas is suffering from the state’s worst drought since the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Crops are in danger, drinking water supplies are dwindling. Wildfires have engulfed 1.8 million acres of land, destroying 400 homes.
You might think that there’s not much a politician can do about this. But you’re wrong.
The other day, Texas Governor Rick Perry took dramatic action to save his state from the ravages of a changing climate. He issued a proclaimation for Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. For three days, Perry asked Texas to kneel at the pew, or at the foot of their beds, and silently ask God to bring water to their parched state.
Here’s a snippet:
WHEREAS, throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires …
Never mind that larger droughts in the southwestern U.S. have long been predicted by scientists who model the changes we are likely to face due to ever-rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Never mind that Texas dumps more carbon pollution into the atmosphere than any other state in the nation — higher than California and Pennsylvania combined. Were it a separate country, Texas would be the seventh largest carbon polluter in the world.
Never mind that, during his first term, Perry signed legislation to speed construction of 11 new coal plants for the state. Or that he has lead the charge to undermine the EPA’s right to limit greenhouse gas pollution.
None of this matters. Because as Perry wrote in his new book, global warming is “all one contrived phony mess that is falling apart under its own weight.”
Still, the earth’s climate is changing, and so we must pray.
God help us.