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  • 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

    Overwhelmed by the excess in her own life, Jen Hatmaker and her family set out on a project they called “Seven.” Highlighting seven areas of excess, they committed to living a little more simply every month. Originally published in 2011 and updated in 2017, 7 has been utilized for book studies in many Christian faith communities. For those overwhelmed with the task of implementing creation care in their own lives, Hatmaker’s memoir tells of her family’s practical and faith inspired experiment. More information about Hatmaker’s project can be found on her blog.

  • Pope Francis and Environmental Leaders Forge Vision for Global Action

    Environmental leaders, activists and advocates gathered with Pope Francis for a two-day Vatican-organized conference with hopes to emerge with a shared vision for protecting our planet. The conference was inspired by the third anniversary of the Pope’s encyclical and was attended by political and religious leaders, scientists, economists and heads of civil society organizations. Inspired by the call for unity and action in the encyclical, UN Environment also introduced their Interfaith Rain-forest Initiative at the conference.

  • WCC Executive Committee: global biodiversity crisis reaches urgent level

    This article from the World Council of Churches discusses the current biodiversity crisis. The majority of land surfaces and ocean areas are significantly modified, and over 85% of the wetlands are gone. The following excerpt notes how this subsequently affects the poor and vulnerable:

    "The statement notes that, increasingly, the drive for relentless expansion built into dominant economic systems are endangering the survival of many of God’s creatures. 'Ultimately our significant and adverse impacts on ecology will impact humanity’s own future,' the statement reads. 'Already they are destroying the very basis of sustenance of our income-poor, vulnerable and Indigenous sisters and brothers, who contribute least to the ecological damage for which human beings are collectively responsible.'"

  • Interfaith Rainforest Initiative

    From the organization's website: "The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative is an international, multi-faith alliance that aims to bring moral urgency and faith-based leadership to global efforts to end tropical deforestation. It is a platform for religious leaders to work hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples, governments, civil society and business on actions that protect rainforests and safeguard those that serve as their guardians." The initiative focuses on raising awareness, mobilizing action, and influencing policy.

  • Engaged Organizations: Stratford Ecological Center

    The Stratford Ecological Center is an organic farm and nature preserve that provides education sessions, tours, and hiking trails to the public. They also offer various workshops and classes on an ongoing basis.

    Trinity Catholic Elementary School 4th and 5th graders participation each year in a 5-day environmental camp "Messages of the Earth" at the Stratford Ecological Center.

  • Engaged Organizations: Kenyon College Brown Family Environmental Center

    The Brown Environmental Center at Kenyon College offers both self-guided and educational sessions that showcase their diverse range of natural habitats that are maintained at the center.

    St. Vincent de Paul in Mt. Vernon, Ohio makes annual trips for their K-6 students.

  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources

    link to website

  • Christians and Endangered Species

    Throughout time, it has often been difficult to reconcile concepts from both biology and theology. This article focuses on the critical impact of endangered species with regard to various Christian religions. Citing biblical text, especially the story of Noah’s Ark, many religions have deemed the preserving and caring for all living creatures to be of utmost importance.

  • Dalai Lama Espouses Sustainability in Business

    His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently spoke in Brussels to promote global responsibility in business and economics for the sake of social and environmental sustainability. His appearance was coordinated with the recent publication of Business as an Instrument for Societal Change: In Conversation with the Dalai Lama (https://www.routledge.com/go/greenleaf-publishing), a book by Sander Tideman. For more information about the Dalai Lama’s teachings on the environment, visit his website and browse his list of environmental speeches and messages (https://www.dalailama.com/messages/environment).

  • 6 Ways to Green Your Holiday

    6 Ways to Green Your Holiday is a graphic made by the Sierra Club. It gives 6 easy ways make Christmas traditions more sustainable. To view the image, click below or *download*

  • Creation Care Hack: Train Yourself to use Reusable Shopping Bags

    Creation Care Hack: Train Yourself to use Reusable Shopping Bag is a post from Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS. The article discusses how using a reusable shopping bag is only easy if you make it a habit, which can be difficult. It then gives a few tips on how to make this sustainable practice a habit. The article also has a graphic on how plastic bags are killing the planet, which can be found below. The author finishes by saying, “If the 70% of Americans who identify as Christians practiced using less disposable plastic bags what a witness and difference that could make.” See additional attached media for an infographic (.jpg) for visual information on plastic bag use.

  • 12 Days of Christmas Recycling

    12 Days of Christmas Recycling is an article from Evangelical Environmental Network about all the “stuff” that accumulates over Christmas. December is the highest month for landfill deposits with household waste increasing by 25% between Thanksgiving and Christmas. An average of 30 million Christmas Trees will end up in landfills and 4 million tons of wrapping paper and gift bags will be used. The article gives 12 ways to “reduce the overuse” and to move the focus of Christmas back to the birth of Jesus.

  • Tu' B'Shvat: The Green of Judaism

    Tu B’Shvat: The Greening of Judaism is a handout from Interfaith Family. It offers a brief overview of Tu B’Shvat and different activities to celebrate the holiday. It also offers examples of how to be caretakers of the earth. To read the entire handout, click below.

  • Catholic Climate Covenant Earth Day Video

    Catholic Climate Covenant has created their 2018 Earth Day video Beyond a Throwaway Culture. The focus of the video is the harm that comes from single-use disposable plastics - how it contributes to both land and marine pollution.

  • Ethiopia’s Church Forests

    The beautiful forests of Ethiopia are rapidly disappearing due to human activity. However, the forests around the Ethiopian churches remain intact and teeming with diverse life. Dr. Margaret D. Lowman, known as Canopy Meg, has teamed up with one of these churches to study and survey the wildlife, mostly insects in the area. The children of the church community are being engaged to become the next generation of stewards in order to ensure that the forests and creatures are preserved. Project leaders also aim to help build walls in order to keep these forest areas more protected from human development.

  • Technological Takeover or Technological Makeover?

    This chapter from the student-written book “Emerging Perspectives on Religion and Environmental Values in America” explores the recent and rapid development of technology and its impact on our environmental actions. It discusses trends of consumerism, social conflict, and disconnection. Below is the first paragraph of the chapter to introduce the discussion.

    "Is it just me or does it feel like the whole world is going crazy? From a global pandemic, to a civil rights revolt, to talk about election fraud, it seems like everything is spiraling out of control and technology seems to be adding fuel to the fire. It feels as if technology is the invisible hand that controls us all on every level, individually and as a culture. As technological advancements push further, the concern for the problems perpetuated by them rises as well. I am not trying to be labeled as a 'Karen' of my generation, but technology is slowly eating away at our brains and degrading the fabrics that hold our society together."

  • 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.

  • Cool Congregations

    "The Cool Congregations Challenge, is an annual national contest to recognize 'Cool Congregations' that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models within their communities. The contest is brought to you by Interfaith Power & Light, a nonprofit organization inspiring and mobilizing people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate. There are no fees to enter. Application period opens November 1 each year. Deadline for entries, December 15. Get ready to enter the Challenge!

    Due to Covid the project eligibility window has been expanded again for 2024. Projects completed in 2021, 2022, and 2023 will be eligible to apply. Deadline Dec 15, 2023, awards announced in February 2024.

    NEW! Electric Vehicle Leader category for congregations that have encouraged EV adoption. This category includes: EVs (Congregants and Staff) • Congregational EV Charging Stations • Outreach • Educating and Advocating for EVs. (Includes all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and electric bikes. If your congregation is working on reducing transportation emission through public transportation or carpooling, apply to the Community Inspiration category.)"

  • 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."

  • Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World

    "Everywhere we look in our culture you will find plastic. One place where you will not find plastic, however, is in the Bible.

    This resource is designed to help congregations think more deeply about the ways that plastics impact our lives and God's creation. It is also intended to equip people of faith to take actions to address this epidemic in faithful and practical ways.
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    Download this resource to find stories of individuals and communities making a positive impact, sermon starters to spark meaningful discussions in your church, worship resources to unite in prayer and reflection, and actionable steps to address the plastic crisis in your life, community and, our world."

  • Extra Time

    "Let's recycle our garbage to give our planet extra time". Taken by Mohamed Dhaouadi. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest.

  • Engaged Organizations: A Rocha International

    A Rocha International discuss their mission on their website:

    "At A Rocha USA, our mission is to restore both people and places through collaborative, community-based conservation.

    We resource Christians to care for creation where they live by building a network of hands-on conservation projects in communities across the nation. Through partnerships with individuals, churches, and community groups, we provide content, curriculum, and a network of support for improving local habitats and increasing biodiversity."

  • Engaged Organizations: Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers

    The following is an excerpt from the Catholic Association of Diocean Ecumenical and Interreligous Officers' call to care for creation on their website:

    "Catholics now realize that the environment is equally as important as the social issues that have been given attention in the Church and that in fact, certain of these issues are tied inextricably to our care of the earth or lack thereof. Can even one individual live without clean air, water, or food? Can any life be protected without concern for the basic systems and networks required to sustain life? If we “teach a man to fish” but the water is so polluted that fish are poisoned or if overfishing causes them to become extinct, what then?

    Catholics in past centuries were not concerned about air, water, soil and climate for the simple reason that these life systems were not endangered. Clergy and faithful had no need to be worried that the water, wheat, or grapes required for our sacramental life might be dangerously polluted or ruined by climate extremes. Current threats to creation are a sign of our times."

  • Baha'i Faith Statement on the Environment

    The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development posted a Baha'i faith statement, from the Baha'i Office of the Environment, on their website. Below is the introduction within the statement:

    "In this age of transition toward a world society, protection of the environment and conservation of the earth’s resources represent an enormously complex challenge. The rapid progress in science and technology that has united the world physically has also greatly accelerated destruction of the biological diversity and rich natural heritage with which the planet has been endowed. Material civilization, driven by the dogmas of consumerism and aggressive individualism and disoriented by the weakening of moral standards and spiritual values, has been carried to excess.

    Only a comprehensive vision of a global society, supported by universal values and principles, can inspire individuals to take responsibility for the long-term care and protection of the natural environment. Baha’is find such a world-embracing vision and system of values in the teachings of Baha’u’llah, which herald an era of planetary justice, prosperity, and unity. "

  • Judaism Ecology

    Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development posted a statement of Judaism ecology, based on the Windsor Statements, on their website. Key points include a warning with regard to altering creation, wasteful destruction, and the urgency for preservation.