(CNSNews.com) - Some critics say global warming is a form of religion for liberal environmental activists. Indeed, in her official statement on Earth Day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invoked both God and the Bible.

"Almost four decades ago, a group of visionary Americans energized the environmental movement, and indeed our nation, by dedicating a day to this ideal: we must preserve God's creation, our planet, for the generations to come," Pelosi said.

The California Democrat said the greatest challenge facing the planet on Earth Day 2008 is climate change -- its effects already visible in "severe weather, coastal flooding, deadly heat waves and spreading infectious diseases," she added. (In fact, weather-related disasters and disease outbreaks have been constants throughout recorded history.)

Pelosi explained what the "New Direction" Democrats are doing to fix the problem, then concluded by quoting from the Bible:

"The Bible tells us in the Old Testament, 'To minister to the needs of God's creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.' On this Earth Day, and every day, let us honor the earth and our future generations with a commitment to fight climate change."

Pelosi hailed bipartisan legislation passed by Congress that increases the efficiency of appliances and light bulbs and boosts fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks.

"We also established a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to raise the visibility of this crucial issue and are committed to considering carbon cap-and-trade legislation, which is critical to combating the climate crisis," she said.