The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights through grassroots collaborations.
By on April 22, 2025
The phrase “act of God” refers to an event caused by no direct human action. While often said in reference to natural disasters, the earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires of today don’t exactly meet “act of God” criteria. Scientists and the majority of Americans agree that the climate crisis is, in fact, directly caused by human action.
Corporate greed, overconsumption, and governmental complicity are destroying our environment and generating unprecedented weather events. When people lose homes, businesses, cultural practices, and their sense of belonging to the climate crisis, they do not curse the sky. Modern climate-caused disasters are not “acts of God” but rather acts of human greed.
This is where our partner, the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition (LDYC), comes in. The leaders of LDYC envision a world where the impacts of loss and damage are addressed equitably. LDYC asserts that powerful countries need to take responsibility for their outsize contribution to the climate crisis.
The phrase “loss and damage” refers to the impacts of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to. LDYC advocates on behalf of communities that have experienced both economic and non-economic loss and damage (NELD). NELD is an often-overlooked aspect of the climate crisis, but the intangible losses of culture, history, and belonging must be addressed alongside tangible losses like homes and businesses.
LDYC advocates for the wealthy countries who contribute the most to the climate crisis to support the communities they’ve harmed through weather impacts. The organization raises awareness about the issue of loss and damage, campaigns for change at national and international levels, and amplifies the stories of frontline communities. LDYC’s grantmaking arm supports youth-led projects around the world that address loss and damage in the Global South.
While faced with an unprecedented crisis created by human greed, our partners’ commitment to human innovation, accountability, and generosity inspires hope this Earth Day. LDYC and our climate justice partners provide essential frontline support and advocate for legislative action.
Just as we have the potential to exacerbate the impacts of climate disaster, we also have the potential to counteract them. Sustain the work of LDYC with a donation to UUSC. Your solidarity is essential to the fight for climate justice.
