Roman Catholic Cardinal Peter Turkson spoke at Mershon Auditorium at The Ohio State University in 2015. The proceeds from his talk with OSU President Michael Drake were used as matching funds in a grant from the Initiative for Food and Agricultural Transformation (InFACT) discovery theme program. The proceeds funded an agricultural exchange between Accra, Ghana, and Columbus, Ohio.
Elyse Durham writes that it is becoming increasingly common for people to give up meat for lent, and makes note that many of the farming practices we use today are unnecessarily cruel. In addition, the consumer culture in America tempts Christians to live lives of greed instead of virtue. Karen Swallow brings up the idea of "reducetarianism," simply considering the amount of meat you consume and its implications for the environment. Fasts and veganism are suggestions for Christians who want to move away from a life of over-consumption.
An event organized by the United Nations Environment Progamme and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency led a digital conference to discuss innovation to combat the environmental crisis in light of the COVID-19. The Faith for Earth Initiative calls for interfaith collaboration to combat environment problems. In the midst of a global crisis, the UN encourages this time to be used for innovation and educational progression. This quote from Iyad Abumoghi summarizes the mission:
“'The coronavirus pandemic is focusing hearts and minds, says the director of Faith for Earth, Iyad Abumoghli. “Faith for Earth is mobilizing youth, the leaders of faith-based organizations, as well as scientists and theologians to work together for innovative change to speed up sustainable development.'”
In 1982, the Christian Action Commission of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) released a document titled “Care for the Earth: Theology and Practice.” This was given to General Synod, who then passed several resolutions outlining the Reformed Church in America’s stance on environmental issues. The Action Institute wrote the article below that discusses the resolutions that were passed.
