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280 items

  • Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action

    Dayenu is a Jewish organization that confronts the climate crisis through spiritual and political action. The organization has several "circles" spread around the United States and Canada that meet at least once a month and participate in 2-3 national campaigns a year. Dayenu offers resources to start a local circle or co-affiliate an already existing organization.

  • Environmental Stewardship In Columbus Catholic Schools

    This article highlights environmental actions being taken by students at a variety of grade levels in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Columbus following the release of Pope Francis’s “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” in 2015. These actions include the creation of a greenhouse and gardens, city cleanup days, energy audits, and natural play areas for younger children.

  • Catholics look to mindfulness practices to ground climate action, quell eco-anxiety

    Eco-anxiety is a fear revolving around the awareness of the climate crisis and the loss of hope for solving environmental issues. Many Catholics have started practicing the role of mindfulness, which is rooted in Buddhist practices. Mindfulness is the act of being present and keeping oneself grounded. The news article discusses how mindfulness leads to an appreciation for the natural world and will push people to pursue ways to help the environmental crisis.

  • Going Green at Camp

    This article is written by Colleen Earp, a director at Camp Hanover, which aims to practice Environmental Ministry. Earp writes a bit about her own experiences growing up with camp and how they shaped her interest in environmental conservation. The piece discusses the importance of stewardship and a spiritual connection with creation. It also quotes the executive director Doug Walters, who explains the camp's modeling of environmental practices that are easy for campers to pick up and repeat once they have returned home.

  • Seattle University Becomes the First Catholic, Jesuit University to Fully Divest from Fossil Fuels

    "As of June 30, 2023, Seattle University (SU) has withdrawn all investments in fossil fuel companies from its endowment portfolio, becoming the first university in Washington state and the first Catholic, Jesuit university in the country to fulfill their commitment to divest from fossil fuels. SU is now charting a new course of socially conscious investing.

    SU is a leader in the divestment and sustainability movements globally and nationally. In 2018, SU became the first Jesuit university in the country to pledge 100 percent withdrawal from publicly traded fossil fuel investments. Since then, six other Jesuit universities followed SU’s lead and made some level of commitment to divest, according to the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities..."

  • Faith in Place Personal Reflection

    "I consider the Waukegan Harbor and Beach the gem of my city. Nostalgia rushes back from my favorite memories at the lake. From running on the pier with my cross-country teammates to watching the most beautiful pink sunsets with a cone of ice cream in hand - it is still one of my favorite places to be today.

    Growing up, I did not realize the factory on the shore of our beach was a coal plant polluting our air and water. I feared how much this coal plant might have affected me, my family, my friends, and the cherished gem of my community.

    My work with Faith in Place is driven by my hope that future generations of Waukegan do not have to wonder and fear how the plant on their beach is affecting their health and environment. The Waukegan Harbor and Beach remains one of my favorite places in the city – but I’m excited to reimagine it without the coal plant on its shore.


    Michelle Luu"

  • Sustainability Institute at Ohio State

    "The Sustainability Institute collaborates with academic and operations units across the university to advance sustainability and resilience scholarship and activities. We aim to establish Ohio State as a leader in sustainability research and applications; educate and empower students; accelerate campus sustainability and living lab opportunities; grow resources to support these efforts; and catalyze a culture of sustainability."

  • Nature & the Environment

    This statement, from the World Zoroastrian Organization, details the environmental perspectives, values, and practices in Zoroastrianism. The web page makes it clear that Zoroastrianism is largely grounded in a heightened environmental consciousness.

  • Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action

    Dayenu is an American Jewish organization that aims to create environmental change through political action. Dayenu members contact and persuade politicians to pursue climate change solutions. In addition, they partner with businesses and work to realign their investments to stop financially backing the fossil fuel institution.

  • The Pope is Concerned About Climate Change: How Do U.S. Catholics Feel About It?

    This recent study performed by Pew Research Center found that contrary to popular belief, Catholics in the United States are no more likely than Americans overall to view climate change as a serious issue (57%). Additionally, similar to splits observed in the wider U.S. population, views among Catholics differ based on age, race, and political views. Adults in the U.S. who are 49 or younger, Democratic, or identify as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White, are generally more likely than those who are 50 or older, Republican, or White to express concern about climate change. They are also significantly more likely to believe climate change is primarily caused by human activity. Ultimately, this study provides evidence that climate concern is more strongly tied to political partisanship rather than religion.

  • Vermont Tibetan Buddhist Center to Host Commercial Solar Array

    The Milarepa Center, a Tibetan Buddhist retreat located in Vermont, is entering the clean energy scene through their partnership with a local solar panel company. The proposed initiative is to host approximately 500-kilowatts of solar panels on the retreat's property, an endeavour that will provide clean energy to 135 homes in the neighboring area. The retreat center is a force for sustainability in the region, not only with this initiative, which passed unanimously by its board members, but in its commitment to the Buddhist tradition of bodhicitta, which is to bring peace and good will to all. It is important to note; however, that the Buddhist community, while being present within the environmental movement, does self-proclaim their need to improve, such as in attending protests or furthering initiatives like these solar panels on a greater scale.

  • Planet vs. Plastics

    "For Earth Day 2024, EARTHDAY.ORG is unwavering in our commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040."

  • SEEDS Sustainability Library

    "The SEEDS Sustainability Library is a comprehensive repository of applied student research and knowledge that includes a diverse range of interdisciplinary, student-led research projects that have used the Campus as a Living Lab. These open access applied research reports contribute to a body of knowledge, learning and action to ignite sustainability ideas, policies and practices, enabling the broader community to learn, apply and build on previous research."

  • President Carter’s Environmental Roots

    This chapter from the student-written book “Emerging Perspectives on Religion and Environmental Values in America” explores the environmental history and values of former President Carter. It discusses how Carter's religion impacted his environmental views and how he acted on those values during his career. Below is the first paragraph of the chapter to introduce the discussion.

    "Former President Carter, the peanut farmer turned president, has a long and well-known record. He’s been everything from a farmer, navy man, state senator, then Governor of Georgia, President of the United States, Noble Peace Prize winner, and bible study teacher. What’s not as recognized as his noble peace prize winning post-presidency, or his political career, is his strong environmental policies. In his 4 years in the White House, President Carter did more for the environment than many presidents before and after him. He faced many challenges throughout his presidency, most notably the hostage crisis, and the energy crisis. These major challenges in his tenure have hogged much of the attention of his presidency, and people seem to forget his message of good environmental attitudes. The question is, where did his environmental attitudes come from?"

  • An Unfamiliar Outlook: The Partnership of Ecofeminism and Daoism

    This chapter from the student-written book “Emerging Perspectives on Religion and Environmental Values in America” explores the interactions between Daoism and environmentalism, feminism and environmentalism, and Daoism and feminism. The history of these philosophies are explored and the author includes her own experiences and thoughts to help discuss the perspective. Below is the first paragraph of the chapter to introduce the discussion.

    "It’s not clear how many Daoist ecofeminists are in the world, but I think I may be one of them. Though I was raised as a Baptist Christian, I have found the insights of Daoism, the predominant religion of the homeland of my family, and ecofeminism, the perspective that centers women’s relationship to nature, as complementary to my Christian faith and concern for the environment. I have been able to incorporate this philosophy into my life and found that they are interrelated. My interest in these thoughts was partly sparked by applying to the China Program summer internship with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), which piqued my interest in learning more about Chinese cultural beliefs. Daoism has played a huge role as a philosophy within Chinese culture for thousands of years, and I am interested in ecofeminism because it is a topic that strongly resonates with me being a woman and its relation to the earth. As someone who grew up having a spiritual and personal relationship with the natural world, I find that many of my values align with the Daoist ecofeminist perspective."

  • Earth Friendly Habits: Putting Your Catholic Faith into Action

    "We all want to have clean air and water. We all want to leave a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren but the challenges we face can feel overwhelming. This booklet will guide us in the process of creating earth friendly habits. Every week it will feature a quote from a saint, Pope Francis, or Laudato Si’, the encyclical written by Pope Francis, along with a simple idea to consider implementing. Often, there will be information about why we need these changes. Some ideas will be familiar but are worth revisiting. Some will be new. The suggestions might appear small but once enough people act in their own lives, it will start a chain reaction that can only end in a healthier planet Earth. Many of the ideas cost nothing. Some require a small initial investment but will save money in the long run. These steps can improve the environment over the course of a lifetime. Spend some time each week thinking about implementing the suggestion. Learn and adopt strategies that work for you."

  • The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, President & CEO of Evangelical Environmental Network

    "The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman is a climate and environmental scientist, pastor, educator, and advocate. She serves as the President and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network and is a Board Member of the National Association of Evangelicals. Jessica received her Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has held research positions at John Hopkins University, University of Michigan, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where she researched how climate has changed throughout Earth’s history. Prior to joining EEN, Jessica was a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy."

  • A Call for Climate Justice this Season of Creation

    "2023 Season of Creation Call to Action: Ask the Biden Administration to stop fossil fuel expansion and consider the forgiveness of debt of developing nations at COP 28. You can:

    1. Organize a prayer service in an ecologically impacted place near you

    2. Sign the forgiveness of debt letter (online) during the prayer service, or anytime during Season of Creation, and share it widely

    3. Take a picture of the place and people gathered at the prayer service

    4. Post your prayer service to social media tagging President Biden, Special Envoy Kerry, and Secretary Yellen (social media links and language here), and let them know we are #PrayingForYou to take strong action on fossil fuels and debt relief."

  • Canary

    "Witness the extraordinary life of Dr. Lonnie Thompson, an explorer who went where no scientist had gone before and transformed our idea of what is possible. Daring to seek Earth’s history contained in glaciers atop the tallest mountains in the world, Lonnie found himself on the frontlines of climate change—his life’s work evolving into a salvage mission to recover these priceless historical records before they disappear forever."

    This movie will be released nation-wide September 2023, and will showcase the life and work of OSU climate scientist Lonnie Thompson--Thompson also had a near-death experience following a heart transplant, and persevered with a new perspective of faith in his scientific endeavors.

  • In Minnesota they’re paying homeowners to replace lawns with bee-friendly wild flowers

    "Minnesota lawmakers set aside $900K to assist homeowners convert traditional lawns by planting wildflowers, clover and native grasses in an effort to slow the collapse of the state’s bee population."

  • Adamah on Campus

    "Adamah on Campus combines climate activism with Jewish tradition, identity, culture, and values to build community among Jewish students passionate about climate justice. In the wake of increasing climate disasters and anti-Semitism, young Jews know intimately the anxieties and challenges of growing up in a world rife with injustice and an uncertain future. Adamah on Campus provides a Jewish organizing home for these young college activists to feel: empowered in their identity, supported by a network of peers, Jewishly connected, and engaged in the current issues of our time."

  • Partners Meeting with EEN

    The Evangelical Environmental Network's Thriving Creation, Thriving Congregations partners program seeks to educate participants on the scriptural basis for environmental care, as well as the relevant science and policy, in order to drive cultural and behavioral change in their congregations and policy change on the local, state, and national level.

    We are looking for Christ followers in the Columbus area who are ready to take their activism to the next level through community building, civic engagement, and faithful advocacy! Deadline to RSVP is Friday Sept 8th 5pm.

  • Laudato Si' 2.0: Pope announces new document ahead of 'Season of Creation'

    This article talks about the upcoming release of Pope Francis' next document about the Christian faith and honoring our planet. In his new book, Laudato Si' 2.0, Pope Francis is tackling the current climate crisis. His main goal for this piece is to expand on the climate crisis issues that have come to front since his 2015 version of Laudato Si'. This anticipated release comes with the beginning of the "Season of Creation", a time to reflect and honor our planet.

  • Earthbeat: A Project of National Catholic Reporter

    "The climate is changing, posing serious questions and consequences for the planet and people both today and in the future. The issues are complex, with significant action required of each of us and all of us.

    As more people view climate change as not just a crisis, but a matter of moral urgency, it's clear that religion plays a role.

    We at EarthBeat, a project of National Catholic Reporter, are here to tell that story: how Catholics and other faith groups speak out and take action. Where ecological concern and moral conviction meet, well, that's our beat.

    We pursue EarthBeat’s journalism with the same independence that underlines all of what National Catholic Reporter does. But it is an unusual story that rivets our attention in one direction in particular: What can be done to help save the planet. We invite your participation — in the work of EarthBeat, specifically, and more broadly in the larger challenge facing us all."

  • USCCB Expresses Gratitude for Restoration of Regulatory Provisions for National Environmental Policy Act

    The United States Government approved a rule that added regulations for NEPA and the United Conference of Catholic Bishops supports this change. The reason for the support is that they believe NEPA is vital for ecological and societal safety.