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One World, Our Coalition: Religion and Environmentalism Larry Linenschmidt
The One World, One Coalition interview guest of various backgrounds about climate advocacy. In the first episode Matthew Kim and Isla Ferguson interview Larry Linenshcmidt of Hill Country Institute. Hill Country Institute is a Christian organization focused on addressing important issues while encouraging safe discussions on topics like human rights, education, and the environment. As the executive direction Linenschmidt lectures about holistic environmental stewardship in the Christian community. -
Resources for Preaching & Speaking on Climate Change
The resource gives information for preachers and other religious figures to use when talking about climate change. It starts by giving reasons for preaching about climate change and why it is important for us now and in the future. It also gives facts from scientists on the climate which mentions the aspects of climate change such as the causes and effects on the environment, and what humans can do to help. The article then gives biblical themes related to climate change and also gives advice for religious leaders to overcome possible barriers when preaching. -
What Karl Marx has to say about today's environmental problems
Ted Benton, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex, writes about how Marx's theories can be applied to modern environmental issues such as climate change. He talks about how Marx's ideas about capitalism relate to current exploitation of nature, and specifically about soil degradation which was an issue during the 1860s when Marx was alive. He also includes problematic parts of Marx's attitudes towards nature, such as his praise of increased productivity of land that may have inspired Stalin. -
How Buddhist monks in Ladakh are fighting climate change
Buddhists Monks in the Himalayas are taking a stand to climate change. On Earth Day 2018, thousands of people came together in the village of Yerat to plant trees. The region is rapidly losing glaciers, causing a shortage in water supply to the villages in the area who rely on snowmelt for water. The volunteers were inspired to participate due to their devotion to His Holiness Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche and his vision for "a more verdant and organic Ladakh." -
Seeing true nature: Buddhism and the environment
John Worthington-Hill describes how Buddhism can encourage environmental awareness and sustainability. Embracing individuality is our disconnection from the natural world. In order to live in unity with the earth, we must find the 'middle way' (a buddhist morality based on self-discipline). "Self-centeredness is the great illness from which all imbalance, insensitivity and abuse ultimately stem – an illness directly linked to the Buddha’s ‘three poisons of greed, ill-will and delusion’. These poisonous mentalities seep into the collective consciousness and are instilled in the norms and structures of culture and society, helping to direct how politics and economics deal with the environment." "Environmental destruction is therefore an outer manifestation of an inner affliction. If our thoughts are polluted, then our actions will be polluted too, and so will their consequences." -
Episcopalians bring spiritual urgency to youth-led climate strikes
The Episcopal News Service shares stories of Episcopalians from around the country engaging in climate strikes. Episcopal leaders spoke on behalf of the environment, bringing the Christian responsibility to protect the earth into the discussion. Episcopal bishops, priests, and students all stood in support of climate change, citing the urgency of the threat. -
Five Years After Speaking Out on Climate Change, Pope Francis Sounds an Urgent Alarm
This article covers Pope Francis's reaction to the world governments responses to climate change. The Pope writes to unite people through religion in an effort to bring awareness to the movement. The article details how the church is divesting in fossil fuel companies. The article also focuses on the political divide and how it affects people's views on the climate crisis. -
GOP Rep. Mike Simpson: "It’s my party, and I’ll fight climate change if I want to"
An article published on Grist.org that covers Congressman Mike Simpson's views on salmon conservation. Simpson's statements are noteworthy for sustainability and religion as he is going against Republican party views by acknowledging an issue with climate change and the environment with his religious views. It is reported that his speech was obviously fueled by a spiritual obligation to preserve salmon as he describes salmon as incredible God created creatures and that their cycle of life should not be messed with. It is also important to note he was already elected for his 11th term in the house, so it is less likely that his more left leaning statements come from a desire to secure votes. -
International Network for Conservation and Religion
The International Network for Conservation and Religion gathers information regarding conservation and religion to guide its users on how to act with greater care towards the environment. Groups are able to create plans for their future interactions with the environment in connection to their religion. The growing website allows users to easily share ideas within INCR and elsewhere. -
The “Green Team”, Community Synagogue of Rye
The “Green Team” at the Community Synagogue of Rye in Westchester, New York works to create projects that focus on sustainability within their congregation, and in the surrounding community. Through renewable energy initiatives, community supported agriculture, youth involvement, group nature hikes, and other related projects, the Green Team approaches environmental stewardship through the lens of Jewish teachings and scripture. They work closely with the Westchester Jewish Greening Group, a related religious environmental organization, in efforts to bring more sustainable, “greener” practices to the Westchester County community. Through these activities and initiatives, the Green Team works to live out the value of Tikkun Olam - ‘repairing the world’. -
How to Green your Parish
This article is about the importance of parishes to participate in environmentally sustainable actions based on Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’. It encourages parishes to strive to become more eco-friendly by taking work together as a community and focusing on change one issue at a time. The article focuses on three main areas: reducing the parishes greenhouse gas, sustaining food and land use, and preserving water. -
FORUM2020: Science, Spirituality, the Climate Emergency and Our Future
Presented by The Temple of Understanding, this two-day event features over forty international speakers including Indigenous leaders, religious and spiritual visionaries, and youth environmental activists. The Forum will consist of three 30-minute panels addressing climate emergencies and action plans. The first panel is the "State of the Earth Panel" and addresses climate from different perspectives. The second is "Women in Leadership on the Environment Panel" and the third is "Intergenerational Wisdom & Our Future Panel" where action-based programs will be discussed. "Over forty international speakers will be offering their wisdom and perspectives through keynote addresses, diverse panels, inspiring prayers and sacred music at FORUM2020 online" -
15 Green Religious Leaders
This article contains a list of spiritual leaders that openly advocate for the protection of the environment. The 15 names are listed then followed by a description of their faith and views on the natural world. The article portrays that throughout different religions, many leaders are starting to encourage a sort of "eco-gospel." -
The Sierra Club Efforts to Protect Wildlife
The Sierra Club is a nonprofit Environmental organization based in the United States and was created in 1892. Among their many environmental initiatives they plan on conserving wildlife. The Sierra Clubs goal is to protect 30% of the natural world by 2030. Not only will preserving the land wildlife it will also provide people with clean water, clean air, and climate stability. This article describes the Sierra Clubs involvement with Endangered Species Day. -
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Pastor Michael Mernagh delivered this sermon that relates the planets and elements to family members. He does this to encourage his audience to treat the environment as family. Father Michael passionately describes how humans have been harming the environment and advocates for his audience to change their attitude in order to make better choices. -
Indigenous peoples and local communities offer best hope for our planetary emergency
Indigenous peoples steward 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity, yet their voices are often excluded from decision-making. Moreover, such environmental defenders remain a vulnerable group that is troubled by intimidation and torture. In this article, the authors cover a few organizations, such as Nature for Life Hub and Youth4Nature, established to empower and defend the voices of indigenous peoples, local communities, and the youths. -
A Buddhist Concept of Nature
On February 4, 1992, the 14th Dalai Lama delivers a speech in New Delhi, India on the Buddhist view of Nature, the basic elements, and the Universe. He extracts evidence from Buddhist teachings, evolution biology, and social anthropology to emphasize the interdependence and interrelationship between the environment and the inhabitants. By examining the current state of international political tensions and environmental degradation, he calls for the cultivation of universal responsibility which is based on love, compassion, and clear awareness. -
Applying the hard lessons of coronavirus to the biodiversity crisis
In this article, Jamison Ervin, Manager of Nature for Development at UNDP, summarizes key lessons we have learned during the Covid-19 pandemic and how these can be applied to environmental protection efforts. -
Nature-Based Solutions Database
As a part of the Equator Initiative and the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), the Nature-Based Solutions Database connects communities through sharing thousands of viable eco-solutions from 500+ communities across five continents.
Explore the Solutions Database to learn how outstanding local communities and indigenous peoples around the world are making possible the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through nature-based actions.
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Profile: Jerry Freewalt
Jerry Freewalt is Director of the Office for Social Concerns of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. In this capacity, he serves as an educator and advocate to further the understanding of the Church’s social justice teachings. Jerry joined the office in 1995 as the respect life coordinator. Jerry also administers the respect life program, parish social ministry, rural life, jail and prison ministry, advocacy for persons with disabilities, and other education and advocacy efforts. -
Eco-Justice Ministries
Eco-Justice Ministries is an independent, ecumenical agency that helps churches care for all of God's creation, and develop ministries that are faithful, relevant and effective in working toward social justice and environmental sustainability.
Their website showcases environmental efforts such as helping churches "go green" and helping individuals adopt eco-responsible lifestyles. You can also find an archive of Eco-Justice Notes that respond to racial justice issues and focus on uniting faith communities for a more equitable future. -
Let's Talk Faith and Climate: Communication Guidance for Faith Leaders
Let's Talk Faith and Climate: Communication Guidance for Faith Leaders is designed to be useful to both experienced and novice climate change and faith communicators. This guide synthesizes the latest academic research and message testing on climate communications from across the social sciences into a practical guide to support meaningful discussions on climate change and faith among individuals and groups.
This guide offers tips on how to initiate new conversations with the faithful, how to create one’s own successful, value-based messages, and how to utilize specific wording that has been tested for its ability to bring people together regarding climate issues. Additionally, this document provides guidance on how to more deeply integrate creation care concerns into one’s own organization, ministry, or denomination.
This, along with the many resources offered by ecoAmerica’s
Blessed Tomorrow program, will allow faith leaders to become as adept at talking about climate change as they are at inspiring others to act on behalf of our shared future. -
Mercury Pollution a Concern of Evangelical Environmental Network
This article talks about mercury pollution and the pressing issues in need of attention and advocacy. The pro-life evangelicals have been pushing for more restrictions and regulations relating to mercury. This article intends to show how mercury poisoning hurts human lives and its different aspects that have long been overlooked. -
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
The Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach (CCAO) was founded in 1985 as the national advocacy office for the Missionary Society of St. Columban in the United States.
CCAO serves as the line of communication between Columban missionaries on the ground and policy-makers in Washington, D.C. Their mission is to work towards a more just, peaceful, and environmentally sustainable world by engaging in the political process guided by our faith and the Gospel. They work for structural change for the poor and marginalized populations Columbans serve around the world. Moreover, they advocate for policies and structures that bring society and the world into the right relationships with all of God’s Creation.
CCAO follows Catholic Social Teaching as their lens to engage in legislative advocacy and community engagement. -
AOHD (Archdiocesan Office for Human Development)
AOHD promotes activities concerning charity, integral human development, justice and peace within the Catholic Church's Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese. It operates under the purview of the AOHD Secretariat and Board of Management.