News, Boost, Updates - Cafe this Tuesday!
June 19th updates - Tomorrow: Visions of Guatemala
June 20th - Visions of Guatemala—People, Ceremony, and Cloud Forests share a conversation about tapirs, cloud forests and volcanic lakes—this is the world of story that Jorge Rodriguez brings to life as a Guatemalan-based photo-journalist and environmentalist. Rodriguez writes in both Spanish and English and now travels internationally to share stories of inspiration, restoration, and indigenous wisdom. R-June 20th, 11:00am Pacific Time / 2:00pm Eastern Time. Register.
Juneteenth!
A fabulous catch-you-up article laying out the connection between Juneteenth and the work of Environmental Justice from Beyond Pesticides: This Juneteenth, We Highlight the Ongoing Fight for Environmental Justice. Also, thoughtful article in Baptist News Global Juneteenth: Moving from symbolism to substance and wishing health and healing in retirement to the incomparable Rev. William J. Barber II, who retires from serving as pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church after 30 years. Thank you, sir, for your witness and the change you have brought across the country in the fight for justice.
Past Cafes Articles, Videos + More on the Blog.
Yikes, I am so delayed! Our summer break will allow me to catch up, look for great follow ups soon for the fight for Oak Flat, and B. Toastie Oaster, with a report on Goldendale and the Yakama Nation. In the meanwhile, Toastie has a link to share. For those who were able to attend the Goldendale conversation, you heard me rave about High Country News. This link will get you a free trial subscription.
Boost!
Creation Justice & the UMC. It is Annual Conference season — Shout out to my Methodist siblings across the denomination and in my home conference of the PNW for passing Climate Justice resolutions this month!! United Methodists inspired by the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement have called for divestment, green teams, new Creation Justice positions, net-zero pledges, and more. Finally!! and also Whoo hoo!!
Solar for Congregations. A webinar from Interfaith Power and Light Solar Financing for Congregations Webinar on June 21, 2:00pm Eastern Time.
Faith and Food Systems. An online conversation from Center for Earth Ethics, one of a series of three, starting June 26. It is a companion series to the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit. Global Reflections on Faith and Food Systems: Policymakers and International Leaders Sharing Insights link to the registration info.
Wild Church Launch Pad. This course will specifically be for anyone looking to start a wild church our outdoor community. 6 sessions starting mid-August. This course will be led by Rev. Corey Turnpenny, planter of Church in the Wild. Learn more about the course.
Be a UM Earthkeeper! Global Ministries seeks U.S.-based United Methodists to lead grassroots environmental projects that are action-oriented, antiracist, bold and entrepreneurial. Is this you? Find the application and more information here. The next training begins in October.
Movement Cafe June 21st. The next Movement Cafe from the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement will speak to the Just and Equitable Interagency Commitment to Net-Zero out of the UMC. Speakers are Rev. Jenny Phillips, Senior Technical Advisor, Environmental Sustainability at General Board of Global Ministries and Jake Barnett, Managing Director, Sustainable Investment Strategies at Wespath. Learn more and register.
Climate Prayer - a monthly prayer group, Climate Intercessors, formed in the runup to COP 26 and still meeting.
Grants & Help Wanted
Mini-Grants for Mining Activists The Western Mining Action Network (WMAN) and the Indigenous Environmental Network are offering “financial grant assistance to communities threatened or adversely affected by mining in the U.S. and Canada.” Next deadline is October 1st. Learn more.
Reports
Find reports on the reports page.
For every dollar the fossil fuel industry spent on drilling & exploration last year, only 4 cents went to clean energy & carbon capture —combined. The world needs the industry to apply its massive resources to drive —not obstruct —the global move from fossil fuels to renewables.
Antonio Guterres - UN Secretary General.
Fossil Fuels & Racism. A new study out helps illuminate the connection between burning fossil fuels and impacts experienced based on factors such as race. Read an article about the study from Greenpeace New Study: Fossil Fuels Disproportionately Impact Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Poor Communities Throughout The Supply Chain Read the study: Fossil fuel racism in the United States: How phasing out coal, oil, and gas can protect communities.
Fossil Fuel Subsidies & the Transition Economy. A new report from the World Bank shows that the millions-each-minute paid in subsidies globally needs to be redirected to fight climate change. Read an article about the report from The Guardian Vast fossil fuel and farming subsidies causing ‘environmental havoc’ Read another article from Common Dreams: World Bank Confirms Reallocating Fossil Fuel, Factory Farm Subsidies Key to Solving Climate Crisis. Read the World Bank Press Release: Trillions Wasted on Subsidies Could Help Address Climate Change. Read the report.
Gender Equity & Climate Change. Women’s health and empowerment is an essential component to address climate change. Yet there is a lot of work to bring gender equity globally. A new report details the issue. Read an article about the report from CNN Nine out of 10 people are biased against women, UN report finds and from the UN A Decade of Stagnation: New UNDP data shows gender biases remain entrenched. Read a quick reminder as to why women’s empowerment is essential. Read the report.
Four State Climate Action Report. A report from Taproot.earth speaks to strategies of climate equity and alignment from Appalachia and the Gulf into the Global south. Read an article about the report from The Grist: How climate justice could look different — and the same — in the Gulf Coast and Appalachia Read the report.
Shifting Paths - Tornados. This isn’t a report so much as just really good information. But the fact is that storms are worsening, the path is widening, and the storms are causing more damage. Read an article about the information from CNBC Tornado alley is widening, putting millions more people and properties at risk. Read up about Severe Storm, Supercell, and Tornado Trends
Resources
More resources on the reports page.
Visualizing Emissions. This is a crazy-cool, and horrifying, animation of fossil fuel and other emissions shows the volume of what is entering and swirling in the atmosphere. For visual learners, this animated globe with smoke will have an effect. From NASA Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Tagged by Source
Keep an eye on Climate Central. A lot of great information, succinct and to the point.
News this Week.
Find the news archive here.
Deeper Dive - Held v Montana — trial underway
Last week and continuing this week is Held v Montana, the first youth-driven climate lawsuit in the US that has gone to trial. Read an article from Inside Climate News about the lawsuit Love of the Land and Community Inspired the Montana Youths Whose Climate Lawsuit Against the State Goes to Court This Week and from the Flathead Beacon Expert Cites Montana’s ‘Incredible’ Renewable Energy Potential, Teenage Plaintiffs Mourn Inaction as Climate Trial Hits Halfway Point
Background: The lawsuit was brought by 16 young plaintiffs, and calls the state to attend to its core values as enshrined in its constitution, that “The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations. [and]…The legislature shall provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.” From the AP Youth environmentalists bring Montana climate case to trial after 12 years, seeking to set precedent.
You can watch the proceedings in person via livestream at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Helena, Montana, on facebook. Also engage via this link which is a one-stop link tree for how to tune in. Click here to read the complaint.
There are a number of lawsuits by youth filed now around the world, including one more in the US. In June 2022, 14 youth in Hawaii, Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation filed a lawsuit seeks a clean transportation system and decarbonized economy. Read the complaint. This case is heading for trial in September.
Spotlight—Thacker Pass
Updates as construction has started on the Lithium Mine at Thacker Pass is Nevada. From Underscore News At Thacker Pass, Extraction and Resistance Come to a Head
Spotlight—Plastics
The plastics treaty really seems to be happening. Those in the global north need to keep their leaders focused. As always, our siblings in the global north deal with the bulk of the harm. An article from The Guardian Whisper it, but the boom in plastic production could be about to come to a juddering halt And a documentary from DW that tells the story that needs to be heard:
“Trading the future for thirty pieces of silver is immoral…[fossil fuels are] a product incompatible with human survival.”
Antonio Guterres - UN Secretary General. Quote from the AP
Good News:
Divestment Church of England. Faith communities keep working on this! The latest from the Church of England Over 200 Church of England clergy call for fossil-free pensions
Rewilding the land—and community. More lovely and hopeful news from the UK From window boxes to farms, UK’s rewilding gurus bring out their bible
Great Plains Restorative Agriculture. A new kind of know-how is shaping restorative farming and food production in the Midwest and Great Plains thanks to Indigenous teaching. Indigenous farmers hope their knowledge of regenerative practices can influence others
Transparency at COP28. Perhaps because COP28 will be held in Dubai this year and there may be a heavier than usual presence from fossil fuel interests, the UN has ruled that: Oil, gas and coal representatives will have to disclose their industry ties at future climate meetings, the UN says. Read another article about this, too, in the AP UN chief says fossil fuels ‘incompatible with human survival,’ calls for credible exit strategy
Clean Transition. Raise it up! Not only has Danskammer Energy Paused Plans to Construct a Methane Gas Plant in Newburgh, NY, but windpower is going up, up, up! The World’s Largest Operating Offshore Wind Farm Stands Complete! And sustainability for wind turbines is improving, Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm will feature recyclable wind turbine blades
Bad News:
Groundwater Depletion & Earth’s Orbit. Humans are having a huge impact, not only are we depleting our water reserves, we are literally changing the balance of our planet in doing so. Humans have pumped so much groundwater, we’ve shifted Earth’s axis
Heat still rising. Europe hit the 1.5C threshold this month. It has been the Hottest ever start to June as global temperatures spike Carbon levels in the atmosphere are still going up. From the Guardian Fears of hottest year on record as the recent temperature spike doesn’t yet include the effects of El Nino.
Seeking Justice in Louisiana: Despite all the years of press and attention to what is happening in St. James Parish, LA, and despite the tremendous and ongoing efforts of local organizers, Lawmakers reject plea from Cancer Alley residents for fence line air monitoring
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Prayers this week. Prayers continuing this week for the 16 youth in a Montana courtroom fighting for their right to a clean environment and healthy life. For Held v Montana, Prayers Up.
Richenda