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263 items

  • Sisters of Earth: Hopes and Dreams

    How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy is the subtitle of Joanna Macy’s book Active Hope. The book was the inspiration for the Sisters of Earth gathering that took place July 12-15, 2018 at Mount Saint Joseph, home of the Sisters of Charity in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati was chosen as the location partly because of the ancestral inspiration of Sister of Charity Paula Gonzalez, who promoted solar power and sustainability projects and teachings throughout the Catholic world. This year, nearly 100 women from the United States and Canada gathered, in part, to remember Sister Paula and also to address concerns about the ecological/spiritual crises of our times by asking questions such as: Who are we? Where are we? How did we get here and what is possible? And — where do we go from here?

  • Engaged Organizations: Cincinnati Climate Change Task Force

    In 2009, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati signed on to the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation. Since then, they have started their own Climate Change Task Force. This task force has adopted the mission of committing themselves to work towards a sustainable world based off of the responsibility to Care for God’s Creation. They work to implement the five pillars of the pledge: praying, learning, assessing, acting, and advocating for the environment and the poor.

  • The People’s Pilgrimage

    COP-21 was recently held in Paris, where leaders from countries all over the world met to discuss potential climate change plans. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people of various faiths made their way to the convention. They journeyed to Paris in a pilgrimage of solidarity. People of all faiths were in attendance to rally together and show how religious consciousness is now linked with environmental stewardship.

    One group walked 1,500 km. from Rome to Paris. Among this group was Yeb Saño, the representative of the Philippines in COP-19. He has become a well-known activist, as his homeland was ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan during COP-19. The pilgrimage brought copies of Laudato Si, the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, and the Buddhist Climate Change Statement to World Leaders 2015 to show how invested the faith communities are when it comes to climate change and environmental issues.

  • The Francis Effect

    With the release of Laudato Si’ and the visitation of Pope Francis to the United States, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of both Americans and Catholic Americans who have demonstrated concern over Climate Change. Individuals of various faiths have expressed more trust the Pope due to the overwhelmingly positive reception of his message.

  • Caring for Creation: The Evangelical's Guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment

    Pastor and evangelical leader Mitch Hescox and meteorologist Paul Douglas have collaborated to integrate faith and science for their book Caring for Creation: The Evangelical's Guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment. This book demonstrates how Christians can take practical steps towards creating a more sustainable future, becoming leaders through a conservative evangelical approach. The authors focus on both individual and global issues, discussing ways to protect families, improve health issues, and clean up local communities.

  • Earth Day Action Toolkit

    "Every April 22nd, stakeholders of all backgrounds come together to advance sustainability and climate action in commemoration of Earth Day. Our world needs transformation. It’s time for the people of the world to hold governments and the private sector accountable for their role in our environmental crisis while also calling for bold, creative, and innovative solutions. This will require action at all levels, from business and investment to city and national government.
    That’s where you come in: as an individual, you yield real power for change through your influence as a consumer, a voter, and a community member.
    Don’t underestimate your power. When your voice and actions are united with millions of others around the world, we can create an inclusive and impactful movement that is impossible to ignore.
    Throughout April, we commemorate Earth Month with marches, rallies, volunteer events, and more. United together, we’ll drive a year of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to a sustainable and equitable future for our planet."

  • Faith groups increasingly join fight against climate change

    There are many faith groups that help with climate disasters. In the article, places like Louisiana, and how places that have been very important to people could soon disappear. It talks about how faith leaders and environmentalists have been working together.

  • Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action

    "Have you ever looked at the effects of climate change and the apathy of so many around you and wondered, 'What are we missing here?'

    Climate activist Kyle Meyaard-Schaap understands this feeling from personal experience. But in his years of speaking to and equipping Christians to work for climate action, he's seen the trend begin to shift. More and more young Christians are waking up to the realities of climate change. They want to help, but they're not sure how.

    Through stories from the field, theological and scriptural exploration, and practical advice, Meyaard-Schaap offers hope to Christians paralyzed by the scale of the crisis, helping us turn our paralysis into meaningful action. Following Jesus in a Warming World is a field guide for Christian climate action—one grounded not in a sense of guilt or drudgery, but in the joy of caring for creation."

  • Creation Care Column

    The Creation Care Column is a weekly column by Elliott Bush that is posted through St. Stephens Episcopal Church's (Columbus) website. Here Bush discusses current environmental events, tips for living a sustainable life, and much more all in the name of caring for God's creation. Bush also provides a wide array of environmental sources to allow readers to continue their education on their own. For example, in one of the most recent posts, Bush speaks about changes in plastic pollution efforts and encourages readers to check out Katherine Hayoe's weekly newsletter or Green America to find out more information.

  • Sustainability Photo Contest

    This RESTORExchange photo contest is being brought back from the pre-COVID era, and with an added collaboration with the Sustainability Institute. It's based around the question "What does sustainability look like?" This can include sustainability in environmental justice, technology, energy, lifestyle and wellbeing, society and culture, economy and politics, and any other context where you see sustainability in action. We want to see your perspectives and show all the different places that sustainability is practiced! Winning photos will be decided by a panel of judges (yet to be determined), and the top four photos will win a prize! First place will receive $400, second place will receive $300, third place will receive $200, and an honorable mention will receive $100. Submissions will be accepted through March 15, 2023.

  • Faith for Earth Initiative

    "Promoting faith leadership, faith-based organizations and communities as custodians of far-reaching, value-based perspectives on environmental sustainability.

    Religion and spirituality hold tremendous wisdom for the protection and conservation of our earth, inspiring both religious and secular actors to advocate for stronger political will and lead by example. Find out why faith and environment matters.

    A three-pronged approach drives this Initiative:
    Strengthening partnership with faith-based organization’s leadership for policy impact;
    Greening faith-based organization’s investments, operations and assets; and
    Establishing an accessible knowledge-based support system using faith scripts and scientific evidence."

  • Faith Action on UN Sustainable Development Goals: Database

    "UNEP adopts innovative communication as a driving force for empowered environmental advocacy. For the first time, a database dedicated to the collection of projects and activities demonstrate how faith, indigenous and local communities contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals."

  • In 'Laudate Deum,' Pope Francis presents a compelling climate crisis apologia

    "With a degree of urgency appropriate for the planetary catastrophe we face today, Pope Francis' latest apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, 'to all people of good will on the climate crisis,' builds on the important insights of his 2015 encyclical letter 'Laudato Si', On Care for our Common Home.' That the pope has explicitly described the current state of the climate as a 'crisis' could be viewed as affirming what climate activist Greta Thunberg said in her 2019 address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: 'Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire.' "

  • Book Launch: Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’

    "The Laudato Si' Research Institute and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative cordially invite you to attend this online book launch for An Introduction to Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’, by Farhana Mayer.

    The launch will consist of an introduction to the text by Farhana Mayer, followed by responses from scholars and practitioners including Revd Prof. Joshtrom Kureethadam (Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Pontifical Salesian University), Prof. Ibrahim Özdemir (Uskudar University; member of drafting team for Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth) and Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli (UNEP, Faith for Earth). There will be an opportunity for Q&A at the end.

    This event will take place online [on October 19, 2023 from 1pm to 2:15 EST]. After you have registered, we will be in touch with the link to join."

  • Presentation of the Apostolic Exhortation: "Laudate Deum"

    This video contains discussion of Pope Francis' newly released Laudate Deum, as well as comments on how it connects with Laudato Si' and applies to future action. Environmental and religious activists, experts, and scholars speak on the issue as it relates to their field. The speakers explain possible ways to incorporate the information discussed in Laudate Deum and other knowledge surrounding climate change can be incorporated and developed into courses of action to address the climate crisis.

  • Advent Simplicity Challenge

    "This Advent, commit to simplicity. In a season that can mistakenly be focused on gifts and consumption, explore ways to live simply as we hopefully prepare for the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth. This year, we’ll be mixing in new daily challenges, as well as accompanying PDFs for folks who prefer not to use the interactive calendar."

  • Prayers and Meditations for UNCOP28

    "Our invitation to you and request of you on behalf of the ILC? We encourage people of all faiths to offer their prayers and meditations towards a beneficial UNCOP 28.
    Our prayer and meditation around the world has helped the previous COP’s .This was the feedback we have received. The picture above is of Prayer and Meditation at COP26 in Glasgow. Not pictured are those who offered their spiritual practice at that time from many other places in the world. Our invitation is that we continue what we have begun with a renewed sincerity of commitment."

  • The Kirkmont Memories Project

    "The Kirkmont Memories Project is my Capstone project for my senior year at The Ohio State University. I originally came up with the idea in 2020, while I was working on Summer Staff at Kirkmont Center and hearing so many interesting stories about the history of camp. I wish that I had done what I wanted to do at the time, which was to sit down with Buzz Reed, press record, and ask him everything he knows about Kirkmont. When I entered into my final semester at Ohio State, I was assigned to create a lasting change within a community through acts of leadership. All I could think of was that idea of sitting with a friend of Kirkmont, listening to their stories about what Kirkmont means to them, and using that knowledge to help create more memories for the future of camp. I created a plan to interview and survey as many Kirkmont alumni and friends as possible to find a collective story of the history of camp and hear about different perceptions of the value of camp, what camp means to them, and what we see for our future. After reaching out to alumni via Facebook, I've had the privilege of collecting over 30 amazing stories! I loved getting to spend time learning more about alumni who I've looked up to for years, as well as folks who I got to know better. Reading through my notes one after another while creating this website has brought up so many emotions and memories of my own experience, and I hope that as you view this project you can also feel some of that nostalgia and appreciation for our Kirkmont family."

  • The World on Fire: A Buddhist Response to the Environmental Crisis

    The World on Fire: A Buddhist Response to the Environmental Crisis by Katie Javanaud explores how Buddhist teachings can inspire environmental activism. Javanaud examines key Buddhist sermons, such as the "Fire Sermon," which metaphorically portrays the world consumed by the flames of greed, hatred, and delusion, resonating deeply with contemporary environmental challenges.

    Greed is identified as a driving force behind the environmental crisis, fueling overconsumption and disregard for ecological balance. Javanaud illustrates how Buddhist principles offer insights to counteract societal norms of materialism and promote mindful living.

    The article addresses common objections to applying Buddhist teachings to environmentalism, providing valuable perspectives for those interested in integrating spirituality with environmental activism. This article serves as a concise introduction to Buddhist environmentalism, offering clarity on the compatibility of Buddhist values with ecological stewardship.

  • Faith and Sustainability Podcast

    The Faith and Sustainability podcast is a project created by the Archdiocese of Atlanta as part of their Laudato Si Initiative. Host Leonard Robinson is joined every week by influential members of different faith communities and environmental experts, where they discuss a wide range of topics like environmental justice, how to recycle, and climate change. The Faith and Sustainability podcast explores how faith and sustainability connect, and finding out how to better care for our planet.

  • Religion and Environmentally-Induced Displacement

    The goal of this project is to enhance people's understanding of the religious response to environmental displacement in Latin America. This database includes a list of past workshops and public events related to the subject as well as relevant documentaries on the topic.

  • Community Grower's Network

    "The Community Growers’ Network is an initiative for Columbus-based Urban Farmers and Gardeners who steward a fresh food culture in their own neighborhoods. The Community Growers’ Network (CGN) focuses on communities which are food deserts/apartheids. The project is designed to build food system resilience by investing in the capacities of Urban Growers with various experience levels."

  • Why Conservative Christians Don’t Believe in Climate Change

    "American Christians have become increasingly polarized on issues of climate change and environmental regulation. In recent years, mainline Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church have made explicit declarations of support for global climate action. Prominent Southern Baptists and other evangelical Protestants, on the other hand, have issued statements that are strikingly similar to the talking points of secular climate skeptics, and have attempted to stamp out 'green' efforts within their own ranks. An analysis of resolutions and campaigns by evangelicals over the past 40 years shows that anti-environmentalism within conservative Christianity stems from fears that 'stewardship' of God's creation is drifting toward
    neo-pagan nature worship, and from apocalyptic beliefs about 'end times' that make it pointless to worry about global warming. As the climate crisis deepens, the moral authority of Christian leaders and organizations may play a decisive role in swaying public policy toward (or away from) action to mitigate global warming."

  • Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change - 2006 Statement of Conscience

    This resource contains the climate statement of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

    "Earth is our home. We are part of this world and its destiny is our own. Life on this planet will be gravely affected unless we embrace new practices, ethics, and values to guide our lives on a warming planet. As Unitarian Universalists, how can our faith inform our actions to remedy and mitigate global warming/climate change? We declare by this Statement of Conscience that we will not acquiesce to the ongoing degradation and destruction of life that human actions are leaving to our children and grandchildren. We as Unitarian Universalists are called to join with others to halt practices that fuel global warming/climate change, to instigate sustainable alternatives, and to mitigate the impending effects of global warming/climate change with just and ethical responses. As a people of faith, we commit to a renewed reverence for life and respect for the interdependent web of all existence."

  • How Religion Intersects With Americans' View on the Environment

    Through this study, they intended to obtain information about how religious Americans view climate change. This article explains the results of a survey. It shows how some religious Americans express little concern about climate change, and carry the belief that “there are much bigger problems in the world, that God is in control of the climate.” Additionally, some say that “they do not believe the climate is actually changing.” This survey also sheds light on other concerns religious Americans carry, such as fear surrounding the consequences of environmental regulations (fewer jobs, increased energy prices, and loss of individual freedoms).
    Additionally, the survey extends to other religious affiliations as well as the religiously unaffiliated population.