When will ecological action enter the gospel debate?

In my Aid & Development class last night we were looking at the church's involvement and beliefs over the past 2000 years in Christian mission, with particular discussion on the relationship between evangelism and social action. It seems that both have been seen as important and revelant expressions of Christian faith, as expressed by Augustine, Basil the Great, John Crysostom, the Wesleys, Wilberforce, the Booths, Martin Luther King Jr, etc.

But for some reason, that understanding changed early 20th century. Since then with WCC and Lausanne conferences and the like discussing this relationship between evangelism and social action, the debate has raged for close to a century. Surely 1900 years theology and practice, let alone the teachings and examples of Christ himself (eg. Matthew 5-7; Matthew 28:16-20; Matt 21:33-46; Matthew 25; John 4) are enough evidence to prove that both one's verbal and nonverbal message express their convictions and faith!?

As we were discussing these in class, I began to ponder the third role of the churches mission: ecological action. When I was once asked why I considered the activities of the church to include environmental welfare, I replied, "God gave people three commands at the beginning of time: worship God; love people; steward the earth."

When we consider the kingdom of God, surely the earth has its place. After all, Scripture does talk about giving the earth sabbatical years of rest (Torah) for the sake of nutrients and allowing the poor and animals to eat of its produce freely; and it talks about the earth groaning because of the corporate sins of the people, such as land and resource exploitation, which in turn makes the rich more greedy and the poor more oppressed. Even the concept of Jubilee as discussed in Leviticus of the Torah gives the earth a sabbath of sabbaths (50 years), and the poor get their family land back after losing it through debt, sickness or whatever.

God's heart goes out the earth and poor, oppressed people, and he promises to reverse injustices at the end of time. But he also promises to judge us for our conduct. Are we, am I, living a life that reflects my faith in God? Am I, are we, showing his concern through the ethical, just, and life-giving lives we live? When will ecological action enter the debate?