Seeking & Establishing a Just Society in Modern America

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,…” – from the Preamble to the Constitution

“Learn to do right; seek justice.” – Isaiah 1:17a

This year of 2026 is unique in that it will mark the 250^th anniversary of the birth of our nation. We will recall that it began as a union of states conceived out of grievance, built upon a constitutional framework (a supreme law of the land), and guided by Christian principles to influence the moral, legal, and political structure of the new commonwealth. From the very beginning, the intent of its founders was to form a more perfect union/society, one established upon a solid foundation of justice. Establish Justice is the first of five objectives outlined in the 52-word paragraph that the Framers drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787.

So, what does this “just society” look like today in America 250 years after its founding? What contemporary forces that the founders could not have imagined, forces unique to our time in history, are at work eroding the foundations of a just society? In particular, what injustices (crimes) are being perpetrated here and now on the environment, the ecosystems of the planet that undermine life in a just society? Let’s seek answers to those questions in today’s post.

In simplest terms, I am suggesting that a ‘just society’ in modern America and across the world is one that values and promotes fairness, equity, dignity and well-being for all individuals, social groups, and the broader community of life forms. Such a society believes that human well-being is inseparable from the health of the natural systems upon which all life depends. Therefore, any denial of human-caused global warming and climate change along with policies that inhibit the transition from fossil-fuel-based energy to renewable sources and that undermine biological diversity and environmental sustainability represents a true obstacle to justice. Such positions and policies not only exacerbate environmental degradation but also entrench social inequities, disproportionately harm vulnerable populations and erode the conditions necessary for a dignified and fulfilling existence for present and future generations of humans and non-human beings alike.

Given the current Presidential administration’s denial of anthropogenic climate change, and lack of remedial action, this is not merely a disagreement and attack on science; it is a moral and political stance with far-reaching consequences for achieving a just society. To deny this reality is to dismiss evidence, undermine collective knowledge, and delay action in the face of existential climate crisis. Such denial functions as a form of injustice because it shifts the burdens of climate disruption onto those least responsible for causing it.

Communities that have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions, often low-income populations, Indigenous peoples, and nations in the Global South are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts such as extreme heat, droughts, floods, sea-level rise, and food insecurity. Climate denial allows high-emitting societies and industries (such as modern America) to evade responsibility while perpetuating patterns of exploitation. A just society would acknowledge harm, accept accountability and act in solidarity with those most affected.

Moreover, denial corrodes democratic decision-making. When leaders (currently those of one particular political party) reject and distort scientific evidence, they deprive citizens of the factual information necessary to make informed, rational choices about their future. Justice cannot flourish in a society that systematically disregards reality and misinforms (deceives) citizens in order to protect entrenched interests of corporations and oligarchs.

Policies that inhibit the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy further entrench injustice. Fossil-fuel-based energy systems are deeply intertwined with social and economic inequalities. From extraction to combustion, these systems impose disproportionate harms on marginalized communities, exposing residents to air, land and water pollution that increases illness and premature death.

Fossil fuel systems concentrate power and wealth in the hands of corporations and political elites. Blocking the transition to renewables thus reinforces hierarchies that undermine fairness and democratic inclusion. Maintaining fossil fuel dependence reflects a policy choice to externalize environmental and social costs rather than distribute benefits and burdens fairly. Inhibiting renewable energy development, whether through subsidies for fossil fuels, regulatory barriers, or political obstruction delays the creation of cleaner, safer, and more equitable energy systems.

A just society need not and does not accept preventable suffering as the price of economic growth. Instead, it seeks economic systems that support human flourishing within environmental limits. Investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation have the potential to create millions of jobs while improving public health and sustainability. Policies that cling to fossil fuels not only delay these benefits but also lock workers and communities into industries that are environmentally destructive and economically unstable over the long run. A just society will stop kicking the proverbial oil can down the road to perdition. 

Looking beyond human society, policies that harm biological diversity strike at the ethical foundations of justice itself. Species extinction is irreversible, and the collapse of ecosystems threatens the services upon which all life forms depend. A just society recognizes that humans are part of, not separate from, the natural world. Denying climate change and promoting “drill-baby-drill” policies accelerates ecosystem degradation, treating non-human life as expendable in the pursuit of short-term human gain. This short sighted view of nature undermines just principles of care, responsibility and interdependence.

Furthermore, policies that sacrifice biodiversity violate inter-generational justice by depriving future humans and non-human creatures of the conditions necessary to survive and thrive. Justice cannot be confined to present human interests alone. It must extend across time and species. Denying climate change or delaying action effectively declares that the lives and futures of vulnerable populations are acceptable collateral damage. Such an immoral stance is fundamentally incompatible with a vision of justice grounded in fairness and equity. A just society would embrace policies that reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and foster sustainability while ensuring that the benefits of transition are shared equitably.

A clear vision of a just society in modern America will recognize that social equity, human dignity and environmental sustainability are inseparable. It affirms that a truly just society is one that safeguards the conditions of life, respects the diversity of the living world, and ensures that all beings, present and future, have an equal opportunity to flourish.

In this sense, actions to curb the cataclysmic effects of global warming and the resulting changes in climate is not only an environmental imperative but a moral one. To deny it is to deny justice itself.

A Prayer for a Just and Sustainable Nation

Creator of all life,
As we mark 250 years as a sovereign nation, we pause to give thanks for this land, the mountains, rivers, lakes, plains, forests and creatures that have sustained us. We confess that in our pursuit of progress, we have often forgotten and too often willingly ignored the sacredness of your creation, treating your gifts with carelessness and greed.

Instead of continuing our wanton ways, may we lean forward with a new spirit of repentance and stewardship. Call us to seek true justice, a justice that extends beyond our own species to include the creatures, the forests, the air, and the waters that sustain life. Give us the wisdom and courage to dismantle systems of destruction and to build a future based on justice, empathy and reverence.

Let our love for this land be shown in our actions, that we may protect all living things and pass on a thriving, healthy world to those who come after us. Bless our land, great Creator, and guide us toward a just and sustainable peace with all of creation.

Amen.

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PS: Here in Chatham County, NC we are fortunate to have a grass-roots organization of morally motivated citizens seeking a more just society through ethical climate action to benefit the common good. Visit the Chatham Climate Action Network to learn more.