The Antiguan Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Lionel Hurst, says churches need to be more committed to the environmental concerns that threaten global ecology.

During a meeting at the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on May 10, Hurst pointed to the massive impact that pollution played in threats such as global warming.

“The pollution caused by the industrialized nations is posing a huge threat to the earth’s climate, with resulting dangers to many nations,” claims Hurst. “The frequency of devastating storms is a result of the global warming caused by pollution. More than 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere every year. This is one area where the churches can express a united point of view and do so effectively.”

Antigua and Barbuda suffered the impact of five hurricanes in the past four years. The destructive results of such tropical storms have damaged the islands’ economies which are heavily dependent on tourist income.

“Churches in Europe have been far more vocal in addressing environmental issues,” Hurst continues. “We are looking for more involvement by churches here in the United States, as well as in Antigua. Church organizations need to take up such causes and address them in meaningful ways. If God’s creatures and creation are being destroyed, then Christians need to be concerned.”

Adventists in Antigua make up one in nine of the population and are the largest church-going group, according to Ambassador Hurst.