Items

• 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.
• 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."
• Overpopulation and the Lifeboat Metaphor: A Critique from an African Worldview

  Many scientists have warned that the earth is nearing overpopulation or has already reached its carrying capacity. Garret Hardin proposed the lifeboat ethics metaphor to address this crisis and proper resource distributions. Okyere-Manu comments that this metaphor does not take into account the African political and cultural worldview. Hardin's metaphor is also reliant on inequality which disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.
• 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.
• 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.
• Existentialism an the Ecological Crisis

  This segment of The Philosopher's Zone with David Routledge (on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation) focuses on the importance of existentialism in modern times. Specifically, how existentialism can help us understand current relationships between the self and others, as well as with nature. Likewise, the podcast’s contributor, Dr Dalia Nassar points out that existentialism implies a sort humanism (as Sartre argued) that connects each individual to all of humanity through their actions. It is the fact that each of our actions can affect one another is why the existentialists place so much emphasis on how we act. Furthermore, the podcast extends this to the ecological crisis by explaining how this radical humanism can inform how we make environmental decisions. The important point here is that we can derive environmental values based on the inherent freedom that humans have, there is a constant need for action. As the interviewer explains in the podcast, the individual determines the moral future of humanity and nature. Thus, each person has a moral obligation to transcend the current situation and make better choices for the environment. Likewise, there is a special attention to art and literature as a mode of connection, to hopefully shape others moral and environmental values. Therefore, existentialism provides a framework (much like religion) for guiding our actions based on a mutual care for the environment. Finally, I should note that the key points of the podcast (concerning the environment) starts at the 18-minute mark, while the latter half provides background knowledge on existentialism.
• Engaged Organizations: Global Oneness Project

  The Global Oneness Project was founded in 2006 as an initiative of Kalliopeia Foundation, and is focused on education aimed a planting seeds of empathy, resilience, and a sacred relationship to our planet. They are passionate about the power of stories and offer a rich library of multimedia stories comprised of award-winning films, photo essays, and essays as well as companion curriculum and discussion guides focused on world culture, social justice and sustainability.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ohio Interfaith Power and Light

  Ohio Interfaith Power and Light is a non-profit organization in Ohio that focuses on bringing together people of all religions to aid and discuss the problems facing the modern world concerning climate change. They host multiple events every month uniting faith-driven minds from around the state of Ohio, while not restricting any beliefs from the group. They gather to clean up pollution, as well as advocating for renewable energy solutions for every-day people. This includes installing solar panels and power-grids for people who typically don't have the access to those resources.
• Environmental Stewardship

  This book goes into detail about how the Christian religion goes about environmental stewardship. They look at how bible passages talk about preserving the Earth and the morals we should have surrounding it. It dives deep into how science interacts with human interaction with the Earth and the damage that we have done to Earth, as well as what we should do to correct ourselves.
• Jewish Council for Public Affairs

  The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) represents 125 local Jewish community relations councils and 27 national Jewish agencies, including all four main denominations of American Judaism. The JCPA coordinates positions on issues and serves as the national representative of their public affairs platform. The JCPA are advocates for a just and inclusive America, Israel's peace, and human rights. It was created in 1944 during the Holocuast to safeguard the American Jewish community and give the Jewish community a larger voice and influence.
• Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach

  The Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach was founded in 1985 under the Missionary Society of St. Columban in the United States. They were established under the name The Columban Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office and changed the name to what it is now in April 2009. The Columban Missionaries primarily advocate for Environmental Justice, Economic Justice, Migation, and Peace and Demilitarization. The Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach serves as a mediator between the missionaries and the policy makers in America. They seek struc tural change guided by their faith to create a more sustainable, peaceful Earth. From their website; "We believe that policies and decisions should be informed by the experiences of the people most impacted by those policies and decisions. We advocate for peace and justice, and are guided by the Gospels, Catholic Social Teaching, and the experience of Columban missionaries and the communities they serve".
• Profile: Kyle Meyaard-Schaap

  Kyle Meyaard-Schaap is the National Organizer and Spokesperson for YECA (Young Evangelicals for Climate Change). Meyaard-Schaap helps unite Evangelical youth to focus national efforts on climate actions. He works to promote awareness of the Christian duty to take care of our neighbors and planet. Meyaard-Schaap has given numerous interviews to publicize YECA and has written numerous advocacy articles for the YECA blog. Meyaard-Schaap's educational background includes Holland Christian High School, Calvin College (B.A. '12), and Western Theological Seminary (M.Div. '16). He is also ordained by the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA).
• Interfaith Center on Corporate Sustainability- Social Sustainability Resource Guide

  The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility published the "ICCR's Social Sustainability Resource Guide: Building Sustainable Communities through Multi-Party Collaboration" to instruct corporations and businesses on how to create a more sustainable environment to grow economically. The ICCR is encouraging projects that have long term impacts on the society rather than short term success. From their website: "In the same way that we are asking companies to look beyond short-term profits and to focus on creating sustainable growth, we are asking them to understand how their initiatives will enhance the well-being of the communities they are intended to reach not just now, but 10, 20 and 50 years from now."
• Church World Service- Best Gift

  Church World Service has created a program called "Best Gift", where people can donate to those who need it in the form of gifts. For $75, you can pay for a refugee family's first meal in America, for $500, you can gift 10 beehives in Kenya. Some other gifts include first aid, hygiene, and school kits, as well as latrines, stoves, and concrete to build houses. You can pay for someones bus tickets, rent, or food for the month. These gifts you can choose from can save lives or make a world of a difference in someone's life. This resource is great for someone who wants to make a difference. From the website; "The gifts on this site are examples of the hope you bring through CWS programs. When you give a Best Gift, you give fresh food sources to those who are hungry. You provide clean water to those who are thirsty. And you offer welcome to those who are sidelined as strangers. Your generosity goes a long way - and you can feel confident that your gift supports the program sector that the item represents".
• CROP Hunger Walks

  Origins of the Christian Rural Overseas Program date back to 1947 after WWII when farmers were asked to donate excess food to the hungry. Organized by the Church World Service, the CROP Hunger Walks take place all over America to fund projects organized by the CWS to end hunger. In 2019, there have been over 100,000 participants in 800 walks that have raised over $7,600,000 to end world hunger. 25% of all the funds raised go back into the host community. To register for a walk near you, the is a search tool on their website to locate the next walk closest to you.
• American Jewish World Service- Land, Water, and Climate Justice: Story Collection

  The American Jewish World Service compiled a website of their outreach stories from the US, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Reflections from work with Indigenous communities are included as well. The environmental activism showcased on their website also defend women and their crucial involvement with agriculture and the environment. From the website; "We aid communities and movements organizing to protect the land, water and natural resources that people depend on for their survival". More information on how to get involved is listed on their website.
• ISNA Green Initiative

  The “ISNA Green Initiative” was formed in December of 2014 as one initiative for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). The group aims to raise awareness of issues concerning the protection and conservation of the environment, as well as promote a sense of urgency with regard to the catastrophic effects of climate change. The ISNA Green Initiative Team has created a myriad of ways to promote environmental social justice within the Muslim community. The group has developed standards for transforming Masajid into environmentally friendly places of worship and promoting standards for building Masjid that meet the standards of green architecture. One example of their educational programming includes the promotion of the practice of a “Green Ramadan,” designed to reduce waste, conserve resources, and reduce the use of harmful products such as plastic water bottles and styrofoam. Another example includes promoting the use of solar energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
• The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life

  The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) is a group within the Jewish Council of Public Affairs that focuses on environmental issues within the Jewish community. Their focus is on utilizing Jewish environmental knowledge to serve as a voice within in the broader interfaith community, through outreach and activism. Working among a network of Jewish leaders, institutions and individuals, COEJL seeks to conserve energy, increase sustainability, and advocate for policies that increase both energy efficiency and security.
• Engaged Organizations: Islamic Society of North America

  The Islamic Society of North America, headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana, has been described as the largest Muslim community in North America. Their vision includes empowerment of the Muslim community to strengthen interfaith relations, increase civic engagement, and promulgate a better understanding of the Islamic faith. They strive for organizational excellence, achieving this in part through their efficient operations, transparency, and financial stability. They seek to achieve their strategic goals by providing high quality programming and services for the Muslim community, increasing opportunities for civic engagement, and hosting an annual convention to gather in large numbers and discuss current issues that are affecting their community. Part of the organization's mission is to focus on increasing sustainable practices within the Muslim community. Through the work of the Masjid Development Committee in December 2014, the ISNA Green Masjid Initiative Team was formed as “Green Masjid Task Group” and later renamed the "ISNA Green Initiative." The intent was to create awareness and to provide guidance on transforming mosques/Islamic centers to become more environmentally friendly through the use of sustainable practices.
• Engaged Organization: Jewish Council for Public Affairs

  Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) organization is considered the national hub of their community relations network. The group represents 125 local Jewish community relations councils and 17 national Jewish agencies, including the four main denominations of American Judaism. JCPA's motto is to educate, advocate, and mobilize. They strategize for peace and security, especially within Israel, and tackle human rights issues around the world. They seek to achieve their goals by convening, coordinating, building consensus, and mobilizing their network on key issues, while serving as the national representative of the network’s public policy and public affairs platform. One area within the organization that focuses on environmental issues is The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL). The intent of COEJL is to continually renew the Jewish community’s commitment to stewardship and protection of the Earth. They strive to achieve this through outreach, activism and Jewish learning with regard to conserving energy, increasing sustainability, and advocating for policies that increase energy efficiency and security.
• Caring for Creation: The Evangelical's Guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment

  Pastor and evangelical leader Mitch Hescox and meteorologist Paul Douglas have collaborated to integrate faith and science for their book Caring for Creation: The Evangelical's Guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment. This book demonstrates how Christians can take practical steps towards creating a more sustainable future, becoming leaders through a conservative evangelical approach. The authors focus on both individual and global issues, discussing ways to protect families, improve health issues, and clean up local communities.