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Turning Around Our Relationship with Earth is a Teshuvah Project
The author recounts an unsettling encounter with a utility worker who downplayed the environmental harm of her gas leak. From here, she explains the true negative impacts of methane emissions on both people and the climate, and encourages us to act in a way that "turns around our relationship with Earth". She connects this with the Jewish tradition of Teshuvah, the time in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kuppur meant for repentance. -
Care for Creation - Catholic Conference of Ohio
"The Catholic Bishops of Ohio invite you to study the issues related to the stewardship of God’s creation. Care for the environment is a fundamental principle within Catholic Social Teaching. We applaud efforts already underway in many Catholic homes and institutions that help conserve energy, protect the environment, and advance a greater understanding of faithful stewardship. We hope that Catholic families and institutions around the state will continue in such efforts."
This resource includes a statement calling to care for God's creation and contains information and links to several other resources related to religion and environmentalism. -
Al-Mizan: Covenant for the Earth
"The Covenant presents an Islamic outlook on the environment in a bid to strengthen local, regional, and international actions to combat the triple planetary crises defined by the United Nations as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It is a global endeavour to engage Muslims from all levels of society in the development and adoption of this call...
Al-Mizan - A Covenant for the Earth is a restatement of the principles governing the protection of nature in a form that meets current challenges. It examines the ethics behind the social patterning of human existence and enquires into how they could be brought to life today working in harmony with the heartbeat of the natural world." -
Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore
This resource contains a series of vignettes following Elizabeth Rush as she meets people all around American who have been affected in some way by global sea rising, as well as some of her own personal experiences. She gives voice to those otherwise not heard, and shares eye opening testimonials from those who experience the effects firsthand. -
Plant With Purpose
Plant With Purpose works to restore forests by planting trees in the most devastated and vulnerable parts of the world. They do this because they view the issues of global poverty and environmental damage as interconnected. -
Center for Sustainable Landscapes
First Place Winner of the Sustainability Photo Contest
"This inspiring image shows the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) at PHIPPS Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Not only does this picture show the beauty that nature provides for the built environment, but the building itself is a wonderful example of what success in sustainable development looks like. The CSL has achieved an abundance of green certifications including LEED Platinum, SITES Platinum, WELL Building Platinum, BREEAM Outstanding In-Use Building, etc. The building is completely net-zero and prioritizes sustainable practices such as renewable energy and rainwater collection. This photo perfectly exemplifies how sustainability can be represented in the urban landscape." Taken by Kelsey Frantz. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
A Jewish Response to Environmental Stewardship: LEEDing the Way
The article highlights Temple Israel of Minneapolis's achievement of LEED Gold Certification, reflecting their commitment to sustainability through a multi-year renovation project. This accomplishment aligns with their Jewish values, particularly the principle of Pikuach Nefesh, which emphasizes protecting life and the environment. The synagogue's efforts extend beyond their building to include community-wide initiatives such as climate action resource fairs and partnerships with environmental organizations. Their ongoing commitment to sustainability is showcased through continuous improvements and active participation in broader climate justice movements. -
In Threatened Island Nation, Pope Hears Plea for Climate Action
Pope Francis visited Papua New Guinea, a Pacific Island nation facing serious environmental issues including water pollution, sea level rise, and deforestation. This continued his involvement in the discussion on climate change as he met with governor general Bob Dadae and spoke at meetings. The article covers the Pope's visit, the environmental challenges facing Papua New Guinea, and the ties between religious positions and care for the environment and people who are affected by climate change. -
How Religion Influences Our Relationship With the Environment
The article shows how religious change can effect trends in the environment and how it can produce better environmental conditions attitudes. It lists statistics on which countries have certain environmental issues and how religion may play a role in certain situations. -
5 reasons why people of faith are a powerful force in the fight against climate change and environmental crises
This article is from the environmental outreach group Greenpeace. It highlights why religious groups globally have a powerful voice in climate justice. It is a digestible first article if you want to familiarize yourself with religious environmental activism. -
Annual 5K Fundraiser (Shepherd's Corner)
Shepherd's Corner website provides details for their annual walk/run fundraiser:
Race check in and number pickup begins at 8:00 am. Pets are not allowed at the race.
"Partner with us in feeding the hungry. We are committed to donating 60-65% of our naturally grown produce to local food pantries. Proceeds from the race will benefit our food pantry gardens.
The 2019 overall race results can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18c83J34HEfYjibi5FmtDY3cfRtki-IWzavCHzuaRq2k/edit#gid=0
Become a partner in our efforts by becoming a sponsor for our 2020 race. You can become a sponsor online or print a sponsor brochure.
Make a donation to partner with us. Register for the race online or print a registration brochure and register by mail." -
Engaged Organizations: The Shalom Center
The Shalom Center discusses their three major program priorities on their website:
"(1) Addressing the Global Climate Crisis, especially drawing on Jewish and other religious teachings about shaping a sustainable society; coping with the problems created by unacccountable concentrations of corporate and government power in making change difficult; and working on these issues with special concern for those most vulnerable and most hurt as the climate crisis unfolds.
(2) Addressing unjust and destructive concentrations of political and economic power in the hyper-wealthy and in giant global corporations — power that corrupts democracy, including elections, and delivers enormous “benefits” to those who wield the power while depriving the poor, the aged, the sick, Black and Latino and Native communities, much of the middle class, and large numbers of women of ways to meet their individual and social needs.
(3) Peacemaking, especially among the Abrahamic communities both within the USA and in the broader Middle East, where violence is especially intense and where it engages intense emotions in the overlapping circles of the Jewish community, the other Abrahamic communities, and the American public generally." -
Engaged Organizations: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Migration and Refugee Services
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Migration and Refugee Services provides its mission statement on its website:
"Grounded by our belief in Jesus Christ and Catholic teaching, Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) fulfills the commitment of the U.S. Catholic bishops to protect the life and dignity of the human person. We serve and advocate for refugees, asylees, migrants, unaccompanied children, and victims of human trafficking." -
Engaged Organizations: Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach serves as a line of communication between Columban missionaries and policy makers in Washington D.C. Missionaries are stationed in 16 countries around the world, bringing attention to environmental justice issues that are most pressing for marginalized populations in the areas. Their primary focus is combating human-induced climate change. In addition, they advocate for sustainable development and agricultural systems, and right to clean water. -
Engaged Organizations: Ignation Solidarity Network
Ignation Solidarity Network discuss their work as it relates to Pope Francis's Laudato Si' encyclical to care for creation and our common home. As stated in their website:
"In his historic encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls on all people to care for creation and our common home. Pope Francis makes clear that our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately connected, noting that humanity is not faced 'with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.' (Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home)."
"We ask our government leaders to demonstrate bold leadership in addressing the climate crisis by honoring the Paris Agreement, contributing to the Green Climate Fund, implementing the Clean Power Plan and supporting just transition and job creation." -
Engaged Organizations: Global Catholic Climate Movement
Global Catholic Climate Movement discuss their identity and mission through the following excerpts from their website:
"Who we are
The Global Catholic Climate Movement is a first-of-its-kind international coalition of Catholics from many nations, continents, and walks of life. We are laity, religious, and clergy, theologians, scientists, and activists from Argentina, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Australia, the United States, and many other nations. We are united by our Catholic faith and our work in various roles and organizations on climate change issues."
"First, we recognize that conversations about the climate crisis have historically been more about intellectual arguments than about the profound spiritual and moral implications of our failure to care for God’s creation. Catholic leaders are thus called to speak with a prophetic voice and in a spiritual dialogue with all people, especially those political and business leaders and consumers who engage in climatically destructive policies and practices. And we recognize our own need for ongoing conversion to live more in keeping with the Creator’s intentions for life in abundance for all people. Until the moral implications of anthropogenic climate change are clearly established and accepted, it is unlikely that societies can or will transition in an appropriate timeframe to sustainable technologies, economies, and lifestyles." -
Engaged Organizations: Association of United States Catholic Priests
The Association of United States Catholic Priests discuss their climate change initiative on their website. The following excerpt list the first five "Green Commandments" from Fr. Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadamof's book on Laudato Si':
"Earth, our common home, is in peril. Take care of it.
Listen to the cry of the poor who are the disproportionate victims of the crisis of our common home.
Rediscover a theological vision of the natural world as good news/gospel.
Recognize that the abuse of creation is ecological sin.
Acknowledge the deeper human roots of the crisis of our common home." -
Islamic Declaration on Climate Change
In August of 2015, faith leaders, senior international development policy makers, academics and other experts announced an Islamic Declaration on Climate Change at an International Islamic Climate Change Symposium in Istanbul. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change posted the following statement on their website:
"The leaders called on governments meeting in Paris to 'bring their discussions to an equitable and binding conclusion' bearing in mind:
The scientific consensus on climate change, which is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate systems; The need to set clear targets and monitoring systems; The dire consequences to planet earth if we do not do so; The enormous responsibility the COP shoulders on behalf of the rest of humanity, including leading the rest of us to a new way of relating to God’s Earth." -
Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change
Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change posted a declaration on climate change (http://www.interfaithdeclaration.org/) as well as their organizational vision on their website:
"Our vision is to repeat the message over and over that the religions of Earth stand as one behind strong and immediate limits to climate changing emissions of ‘greenhouse gasses’, predominantly CO2. Our vision is to take this message to each remaining session of the climate negotiations in Bangkok, Barcelona and Copenhagen, each time with different religious leaders, and to make the unified stand of widely divergent and differing faiths and beliefs into newsworthy events.
Won’t you please help us to realize this vision by endorsing our Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change and urging all your contacts to do so as well. Especially we need the endorsements of religious leaders and organizations representing many people. Our Interfaith Declaration will be presented to Ban Ki-moon in November to be carried by him to the climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December. Let us see that it is signed by representatives of all the major religions of Earth, and that it carries an unmistakable mandate to the negotiations itself." -
Sikh Faith Statement on the Environment
This Sikh faith statement on the environment, based on the 1995 Windsor Statements, is posted on the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Below is the introduction to the statement:
"The Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, declares that the purpose of human beings is to achieve a blissful state and to be in harmony with the earth and all creation. It seems, however, that humans have drifted away from that ideal. For the earth is today saturated with problems. It is agonizing over the fate of its inhabitants and their future! It is in peril as never before. Its lakes and rivers are being choked, killing its marine life. Its forests are being denuded. A smoky haze envelops the cities of the world. Human beings are exploiting human beings." -
Anglican Views on Climate Change - a report compiled by the Climate Institute of Australia
Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development posted a report, compiled by the Climate Institute of Australia, on Anglican views of climate change. A predominant them includes the toll that greed and selfishness takes on God's creation. It focuses on specific actions that individuals can take to reduce energy usage and foster environmental justice for the world population. -
Catholic Views on Climate Change - a statement from the Catholic Bishops of Australia
The Catholic Bishops of the Climate Institute, Australia created a statement on climate change. The statement emphasizes various responsibilities of individuals and entities that are necessary to provide a safe and healthy environment for all parts of the world. They also warn against further ecological destruction for future generations. -
Engaged Organizations: Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus
Sadhana is a non-profit organization that is committed to promoting environmental and social justice through the values of the Hindu faith. The NYC Service website summarizes what Sadhana is about:
"We have mobilized Hindus in New York City and beyond to stand up for social justice causes including environmental justice, racial and economic justice, gender equity, immigrant rights, and anti-casteism. We bring a Hindu voice to the interfaith justice movement. We have chapters and members around the country and abroad. We engage and mobilize progressive Hindus nationally and internationally using social media." -
World bishops' appeal to COP 21 negotiating parties
In preparation for the 2015 United Nations Negotiations in Paris, the heads of Catholic bishops' federations on every continent issued a joint appeal to COP 21 delegates that they produce a "comprehensive and transformational agreement" to address global climate crisis. Salient themes include the challenges and opportunities of climate change, and sustainable development to benefit the poor. They also call for leaders to become motivated to work towards enforceable agreements. -
Remarks by Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson on the Encyclical Laudato si’ to Child-Focused Agencies
Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson addressed child-focused agencies at UNICEF House on June 30, 2015. His message is about the relevance of Laudato si' encyclical with regard to children and our common home. He urges individuals to contemplate the negative impact of climate change and how this will impact the future for our children.