Items

• 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"
• 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.
• 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.
• Ancient Judean Dates

  A date tree planted in Ketura, Israel from 2000 year old seeds found at an archeological site in the Judean wilderness has finally bore fruit earlier this month (September 2020). The harvest was hailed a modern miracle of science. “In these troubled times of climate change, pollution and species dying out at alarming rates, to bring something back to life from dormancy is so symbolic,”... Date palms were praised in the Bible and the Quran, and became symbols of beauty, precious shade and succulent plenty.