“Climate change exacerbates extreme world poverty and poverty is hastening global warming. Poverty begets climate change and vice versa; it threatens the future of all people, rich and poor alike. The poverty cycle driven by climate change will only add to political instability, social violence, and war. (And) our own domestic tranquility and security are intimately tied to the well being of the poor, both here and abroad.”

Those words, addressed to the U.S. Senate by presiding Episcopal Bishop Kathryn Jefferts-Schori, highlight the vicious cycle we are perpetuating as a country addicted to oil and other greenhouse gas-producing fuels. Carbon belched into the atmosphere from our cars, homes and factories accelerates climate change.

A wildly volatile climate, in turn, creates natural disasters, such as the drought now consuming West Africa that threatens more than 15 million people with starvation. Coming back full circle, starvation — or any other devastating effect of climate change such as health epidemics or floods — will affect us with increased economic and political instability, and possibly with mass migrations, violence and war.

Of course, the U.S. is not solely responsible for greenhouse emissions. As the world’s poor often lack access to renewable energy sources, many are forced to choose dirty fuels such as oil or coal to meet their needs. But as one of the wealthiest nations, we have a choice others do not. Ultimately, if we do not make the choice to address climate change, everyone, everywhere, will experience its harsh effects.

Trinity Church made a choice to change to energy-efficient lighting and to install an air convection system to save money and reduce carbon emissions. The heating expenses decreased by $1,000 in one winter. Every choice, even a small one, to change energy use for the good of the environment is a very good decision indeed.

In the U.S. Senate, climate and energy legislative efforts promise a future free of excessive emissions through renewable power technologies, cleaner fuels and measures to save energy. For the sake of all, rich and poor alike, we must pass legislation which sets firm targets for carbon emission reductions for the U.S., and spurs green jobs in the clean-energy sector. We can achieve these goals while helping poor countries adapt to the hardships caused by climate change and to harvest energy from clean sources like solar and wind.

Such legislation must also address the needs of America’s poor. When energy prices rise, low-income families spend a higher percentage of their budgets on basic necessities, such as heat, electricity and transportation. That burden is especially felt in low-income communities. Unstable energy prices cause severe hardships for people who are struggling to keep warm in winter.

Many are our neighbors. For hundreds of neighborhood people in need, Trinity Jubilee Center at Trinity Church is a warming center for Lewiston, and offers food assistance, a daily meal and other services. To help alleviate their hardship and that of poor Americans everywhere, we need stable energy prices and good jobs. A robust clean-energy program will make a life-changing difference for all, a life-saving difference for many.

Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins must remember low-income communities here in Maine, around the country and around the world.

Climate legislation must protect them by providing resources to help them adapt to climate change’s harsh impacts. Now is the time for the Senate to act boldly by passing a bill that will protect the Earth, its creatures, and all vulnerable people from poverty and instability that unaddressed climate change continues to create.

The Rev. Dr. Steve Crowson is rector at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Lewiston.