From an early age, Erika Uthe learned to love the natural world. Next week, she will be amongst world leaders focused on finding ways to preserve that natural world with an international climate treaty to curb global greenhouse gas emissions.
Uthe, 25, is a senior at Wartburg Theological Seminary and is a member of the Iowa United Nations Associations. She will be part of a delegation of 30 association professors, graduate and undergraduates students who will attend the 15th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen for the second week of the conference. She will leave Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 12, and return Friday, Dec. 18.
"I hope to learn and witness firsthand how international relations can work for the betterment of all creation and how our religions and faith can impact how we live, since we are called to be stewards of the Earth and to care for creation," said Uthe, who lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband, Russ.
The Iowa delegation will have observer credentials and will attend plenary sessions and small-group presentations, and will visit with the various nongovernmental
blog from copenhagen Uthe plans to blog daily from Copenhagen at www.iowaipl.org/copenhagen. |
Although some critics claim that the summit will have little if any impact on the world's greenhouse gas emissions, Uthe is optimistic that good will come from it.
"It has raised awareness of climate concerns at a time when the focus has shifted to other things like economic problems. If even some changes can come to fruition, the impact will be enormous," she said.
Uthe's trip is sponsored by Iowa Interfaith Power and Light, an organization that works with Iowa religious communities (more than 300 to date) to address environmental and social justice consequences of climate change caused by global warming.
