God Promised to Oppose "Cap and Trade?"

"John Shimkus, an evangelical Christian representing Illinois, quoted the Bible in a congressional hearing last year on a proposed "cap and trade" legislation designed to limit carbon emissions.

Reading from God's post-Flood promise to Noah in Genesis 8:21, he said: 'Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though all inclinations of his heart are evil from childhood and never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.'

Mr. Shimkus added:'I believe that's the infallible word of God, and that's the way it's going to be for his creation.'"  Source: Telegraph (London Newspaper)

While I share Shimkus' confidence that the Bible is God's word and his opposition to the "cap and trade" bill, I find his use of scripture and "reason" a little embarrassing.  

Firstly, God's promise to not destroy the world again is not the same as a promise to keep humanity from destroying the world on their own.  

Secondly, simply because we are assured that Jesus will return to earth, bringing the fullness of His Kingdom, does not give us any assurance of the conditions here on earth upon His return.  It is theoretically possible for humans to destroy the environment in which they live and yet have Jesus return to a very broken and shattered earth.  In fact, assuming Shimkus is operating with a premillennial view of eschatology, one might expect to see a deteriorating environment prior to the second advent.  Moreover, ecological catastrophe fits well with a literalist interpretation (premillennial) of the cosmic signs mentioned by Jesus in Mark 13 and Matthew 24.  

I do not subscribe to the premillennial eschatology made so popular in contemporary times by the "Left Behind" series, nor do I think a literalist interpretation is entirely appropriate for Mark 13 and Matthew 24.  Nor do I really believe our environment is nearing destruction because of human activities, and there are good reasons to oppose Obama's "cap and trade" proposal.  However, can we agree to be more careful before invoking God's word in public when making a public policy statement?