News, Boost, Updates
14th August sum-up, Climate News and Events, Faiths4Future, Climate Cafe Multifaith
Update to the updates! This morning Judge Seeley, First Judicial District Court in Montana handed down her ruling in the case of Held v Montana, ruling fully in favor of the 16 youth plaintiffs suing for their constitutional right to a clean environment!! Links for more Read the statement from Our Children’s Trust, Read the ruling, Read more about the trial and background of the plaintiffs. From The Guardian ‘Game-changer’: judge rules in favor of young activists in US climate trial; and from the Flathead Beacon in Montana Judge Rules in Favor of Youth Plaintiffs in Montana Climate Lawsuit.
Quick nav links:
JustCreation prior weeks of this Weekly and other articles.
Plovers!! I enjoyed the plover dive so much last week, I gave Plovers their own nesting spot on the blog. Reimagine the stories of nature and conservation in worship.
Good news/Bad news: (the latest faith and climate news below, link to the News Archive for prior weeks.)
Reports and resources: (the latest below, link for the archive.)
Faiths4Future articles, and the Climate Cafe Multifaith info page.
Boost - Events
United Methodist Movement Cafe. The next Movement Cafe from the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement will feature worship materials and conversation with the creators of the latest Seasons of Creation worship liturgy for the UMCJM, and more. August 16th Register.
Eco-Chaplaincy Survey, Input Requested. Thomas Quinn is a second-year student in the Chaplaincy Training Program at Upaya Institute and Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As part of my Final Project, I am conducting an online survey of people whose work includes engaging at the spiritual interface of humans and Nature or the environment. My primary interest is reaching chaplains or clergy. If you are neither a chaplain nor a clergy member but work at the spiritual interface of humans and the environment, I am also very interested in your survey responses and invite you to complete the survey (via SurveyMonkey).
Parliament of World Religions. The pre-event August 14-16 faith leaders from across the world will gather in Chicago. The Parliament this year in general will address climate change, including an Interfaith Call for Climate Action.
Mennonite - Generation Z Energy and Spirit Challenge. The Mennonite Church has launched a big challenge especially for it’s Gen Z members and those who love them. The challenge started this month and ends April 2024. The goal is to produce and present an energy and spirit project, with cash prizes! Learn more.
School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling. Application period is now for a virtual 8 week program for clergy, faith leaders, and non-faith affiliated folks “The School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling will bring together a national group of faith leaders virtually to learn, grow, and sharpen their abilities to offer new and creative solutions to the issue of hunger within their communities.
Interfaith Power and Light & Rewiring America. A webinar looking at electrification, IRA Resources to help you electrify your home. Info: how you can swap out your gas appliances for electric, and the scale we need to move to get there. As of right now, for example, only 1% of US homes have electric heat pump water heaters. By 2050, the hope is to get to 100%. The webinar will address financial incentives to get us there. September 7th.
March to End Fossil Fuels. People vs Fossil Fuels is organizing a March on September 17th in New York City. GreenFaith has promoted this March…online details are few, check with your local GreenFaith circle and see more information here.
Resources
Resource archive is on the Reports Page (scroll down).
Plastics - A Rocha Resources. Following my links last week about ‘Plastics Overshoot Day’ here is a fantastic Plastics Toolbox of resources addressing plastic from A Rocha International. It’s got so much, from basic info to videos on action and ‘A biblical overview’, and bible studies as well as one sheets on effects of plastics and microplastics in different languages.
Liturgy - Season of Creation. As the Season approaches, expect more resources to pop up. New from the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement worship team is a full liturgical resource including prayers, communion, sermon starters, hymns and children’s ministry. The series is available through United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, and the UMcreationjustice.org. Download here. Register also for the August 16th Movement Cafe, where the authors of this resource will share more about it (more information on the Cafe upcoming).
Reports
Find more reports on the reports page.
Action
Take action and Get Hope! A great TEDTalk from Climate Reality Project Chairman and former US VP Al Gore: What the fossil fuel industry doesn't want you to know
(Is it okay for people of faith to sign-on to general petitions? I put together a quick page to think about this Sign-ons & Petitions, are they faithful?)
Water Conservation LDS. I loved this sign-on letter that somehow made it to my feed! If you are LDS or have friend who is (or want to support this effort) check out this letter in the Salt Lake Tribune Letter: Let’s come together to urge the LDS Church to prioritize water conservation and sustainable practices which links to a sign-on from Karie Jo Loutensock LDS Church: Stop Wasteful Water Practices - Water Conservation over Green Properties Now at 147 sign-ons! Let’s keep sharing and amplifying this!
EPA Power Plants and Climate Pollution. A sign-on from Interfaith Power and Light asking for proposed federally mandated limits to climate pollution from power plants. This sign on asks for the strongest protections possible.
Get moving on the Clean Grid. This petition through Earth Justice asks FERC—the agency tasked by the federal government to oversee and greenlight energy projects—to get moving on permitting and building the necessary infrastructure for a clean electrical grid. Build a clean and equitable electricity grid now.
Faith Voices Addressing Climate
Over the last few weeks there has been a good bit of news from faith groups, churches and denominations addressing the climate crisis. And seen together, wow. It’s real hope rising.
Prayers in the Alps. The ice caps of the Alps are melting away. An ecumenical group of clergy and people of faith climbed the highest peak in Germany to raise lament and sorrow for the harm of climate change. From Lutheran World, Climate change: Requiem for a glacier in Germany.
Prayer for Natural Disasters. Speaking to the disasters and suffering worldwide, the Dalai Lama raised prayers and called for the world to stop burning fossil fuels. From Buddhist Door Global, Dalai Lama Offers Prayers for a World Beset by Natural Disasters. The Catholic Pope also raised prayers for the climate crisis, from the Catholic News Agency Pope Francis telegrams Greece and Italy to express concerns about wildfires and storms
Relief and Prayers for Maui. In response to the worsening climate crisis and especially the three fires in Maui, the Greek Orthodox Church in America raised concerns, prayers, and a relief effort. From Orthodox Observer News, Maui Devastated By Three Concurrent Fires
A local retreat - A biodiversity commitment. In the run up to the Season of Creation, a Catholic church group ended a retreat two weeks ago in Yorkshire with ‘a commitment to protect earth’s biodiversity.’ Read the story in ICN, Christians Aware: 'Making Space for Nature.'
The Rights of the People and Forest of the Amazon. The leaders of South American countries gathered as pressure builds to ensure protections for the Amazon, it’s forests and Indigenous peoples. Article from The Hindu, Amazon nations seek common voice on climate change, urge developed world to help protect rainforest
Christian Aid Divestment. One of the biggest charities in the UK, Christian Aid, “cut ties” with Barclay’s Bank and activist groups such as Christian Climate Action (CCA) are celebrating. From The Independent, Christian Aid cuts ties with Barclays over fossil fuels financing. Even as they celebrate this step, CCA is unrelenting, seeking to keep building on the divestment action, Vigils at Charities Banking with Barclays. As CCA continues to gain voice and traction in the UK, efforts in the US are seeking comparable outcomes. At a recent rally in Connecticut, Episcopalian Rev. Bullitt-Jonas called out Chase Bank and fossil fuel destruction Climate Advocates Call Out Chase Bank’s Dirty Record
Faith and COP28. Preparations for COP28 are underway with the Minister for Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nayan confirming that a faith pavilion will be included with the hope of faith leaders gathering to address climate change. From ANI, Faith Pavilion at COP28 will unite everyone to tackle climate change head-on: Nahyan bin Mubarak read also from ANI, Muslim Council of Elders, UAE Office of Special Envoy for Climate Change sign agreement to organise Faith Pavilion at COP28
Climate Change and the Black Church. An interview by the Washington Informer and Word in Black with Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll Sr., spiritual leader and pastor with Green the Church, on why engagement from the black church is an important part of addressing climate change, Why Green The Church Connects Faith With Climate Justice
Jewish Youth seek Action. An article from and by Jewish youth who are seeking real action from the faith community and the wider community to address climate change. The article shares stories from youth from age 12, demanding change. From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Young Jews are demanding action on climate change. Another article, this one from The Wisconsin Jewish Chronical, celebrates the Ecology rabbi of the future, an activist and future Rabbi working for change.
Rabbi’s Call for Action. An opinion piece ran in Religion News Service, RNS, from two Rabbis leading engagement in the work of the Climate Crisis. It’s a call to action, from Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of Dayenu, and Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and senior vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism. Tisha B’Av is Jews’ day to lament destruction.
Solar and the Local Church. Local churches are installing solar and every one of them is worth celebrating. A shout out to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lewisville, PA, from Episcopal News Service, Central Pennsylvania Episcopal church installs solar panels to save money, care for creation. It even made the local paper, The Daily Item, St. Andrew's in Lewisburg installing solar panels as part of 'creation care'
Restoration. Local churches were among the community organizations that received restoration and resilience grants in Maryland. Congrats! Maryland Awards $3 Million in Climate Resilience Grants to 13 Community Projects
Age, Disability, and Climate Change. In a truthful op-ed from Cynthia Astle, a longtime Methodist and Methodist Editor, she speaks her truth about the worsening realities of escalating heat, the hurts of real people, and laments the time of climate change. From Baptist News Global, The climate canary is dead.
Mennonites in Action. In addition to the Generation Z Energy and Spirit Challenge, listed in the Boost, above, just in general the Mennonite Church is choosing to be active in addressing climate change. Read a recent statement from the denomination, MC USA Executive Board expands its Peace and Justice ministries to include Mennonite Creation Care Network
In community, local relief in times of disaster. Two stories of disaster and recovery in the American South. Both tell of the struggle to find equilibrium and stability again, and both speak to the work of Amish and Mennonite groups offering tools and ongoing support. From the Washington Post, Recovering from twin Southwest Virginia floods: ‘A rough, rough ride’ and from Grist, Old nightmares and new dreams mark the year since Kentucky’s devastating flood
Empowering Women. As the climate crisis shows the importance of caring for the vulnerable, mitigating effects, and listening to those with lived experience dealing with cultural and spiritual stress, women are coming on strong. It is already known that women will suffer more, as well as that empowering women across the board will help us all get through it. The church is also engaging these very conversations. From Buddhist Door Global, Daughters of the Buddha: Progress on the Path of Female Ordination – A Conversation with Ven. Dhammananda Bhikkhuni. And from CNN, More women are aiming to become church leaders. Together, they could change American Christianity
Good News
Find more news in our news archive (including the good news!) here.
Renewable Transition! Some very welcome news indeed from the New York Times this week, this link is a gift article, The Clean Energy Future Is Arriving Faster Than You Think, “The United States is pivoting away from fossil fuels and toward wind, solar and other renewable energy, even in areas dominated by the oil and gas industries.” A corroborating article from a state where oil and gas as well as climate change are dominating forces, from Alaska’s Anchorage Daily News, A year after passage, landmark climate law is creating a ‘different world’ for Alaska renewables
Empowering Latino Leaders. In recognizing that climate change is only one of the huge transitions humanity is facing, it is more important than ever to make sure every community has the tools and empowerment it needs. From Inside Climate News, Monitoring Air Quality as a Lesson in Climate Change, Civic Engagement and Latino Community Leadership
Celebrating Global Youth! - Mongabay is as usual awesome as it offers us three hopeful stories of global youth from Indonesia, Malawi, and Kenya, For International Youth Day, three youth conservation success stories
The Rights of Nature. This important concept and necessary conversation arises over and over again in the conversation to remedy environmental destruction. The latest article bringing this again to the fore is from Brazil, where the Indigenous Wari seek to protect the river Laje with legal recognition as a living entity with rights. From the AP Indigenous leader inspires an Amazon city to grant personhood to an endangered river
River Restoration. Another river story worth sharing, this one from US Fish and Wildlife speaking to the restoration of the Conasauga River in Georgia. Much money, effort to restore Conasauga's long-ago luster
Find the news archive here.
Prayer this week - I’m sticking to good news again this week! Yes, there’s some harder news in there as well. Prayers for those in Maui, and everywhere climate change and colonialism is worsening lives, destroying the environment, and risking everything. Prayers that we may be the help we seek, for ourselves, for each other, and for the planet.
Richenda