Recent cases of Zika virus are prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to, for the first time, warn people about traveling to an area within the continental United States.

So far, 15 people in Florida were found to have been infected with Zika virus after being bitten by local mosquitoes. Miami health officials believe mosquitoes spread the virus, most likely by biting a person who had returned to the United States with the disease.

Jesus commands us to “love one another” John 13:34, and God has given us responsibility to care for His good creation (Gen. 1:28, Gen. 2:15). The burning of fossil fuels is polluting our air and waters, warming the planet and putting our seasons out of balance, with low income communities, communities of color, the children, elderly, and our faithful in the Caribbean, Africa and in rural communities bearing the greatest burden.