Items

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  Want to Cut Down on Plastic at Home? Subscribe to These Excellent Newsletters:

  This submission of the Creation Care Column compiles a number of environmental newsletters that can provide valuable information on how to lower your carbon emissions and plastic usage.
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  Some Positive News About Plastic Pollution and More Useful Environmental Newsletters

  This submission in the Creation Care Column discusses news concerning good news in the progress of plastic pollution. The author also provides examples of environmental newsletters that can be used to learn more about the topic.
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  Alternatives to Plastics at Home

  "On September 10th Lorraine Deal shared her amazing collection of household products that have no plastic packaging or content. Take a look at these pictures and download her list of products and where to buy them, online and locally."
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  Creating a Pollinator Garden

  "As part of our Season of Creation talks series, Susan Burghes spoke about the pollinator garden she created at the back of the church with some help from Joe Rutter. Then, after the service, she met people at the garden to answer questions and to give away seed packets. She had an avid audience of children who had many questions. In preparing for her talk, Susan wrote a short paper, 'Natural Biology of the Garden [the garden as biome]'..."
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  Introduction to "The Energy Transition: Religious and Cultural Perspectives"

  Not a lot of attention has been given to the religious and ethical issues that come with energy production. This article is a call to religious leaders and ethicists to work with scientists and engineers to help make the world sustainable for future generations. As we are entering a new period of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable resources, we should take considerations from religion and ethics into account to help make the world more sustainable. In the past religious pronouncements were more dismissive of technology and scientific achievements, but if they were to be made for renewable energy there could be great change on the horizon.
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  Methodist Church Climate Commitment to Net-Zero Emissions

  The United Methodist Church has acknowledged their responsibility in climate action. They have committed to converting all facilities associated with the church to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. They provide an explanation for this commitment based on scripture.
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  How faith can inspire environmental action

  As majority of the world associates with a religion, we can see how it effects one's view on nature. As climate change is becoming more and more of a problem, faith and religion can be a driving factor in making a change. What isn't talked about enough is how faith and religion can strike social environmental change. Faith and religion point of views on the environment can lead people to think about the environment as sacred, with compassion, empathy, and kindness. We can make progress on climate change with the help of faith and religions.
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  Environmental underpinnings in Rosh Hashanah Liturgy: We are stewards of our world…take better care of the earth!

  David Golinkin explains in this article the connection between the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, and environmentalism. He explains certain Jewish phrases and their significance in respect to our responsibility to the world.
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  GoodLands

  GoodLands is a nonprofit organization that recognizes the potential for the land owned and managed by Catholic dioceses. They provide the tools for communities to understand the land they own and how to best manage them to provide the greatest ecological benefit possible.
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  Faith and the Environmental Movement: A Franciscan Perspective

  This blog post was written by a member of WE ACT, which is an environmental justice-based organization located in Harlem, NYC. The post discusses the relationship between Catholicism and environmentalism. The author argues that Catholics are key environmental changemakers because Catholic teachings and religious leaders, like Pope Francis, emphasize protection for God's creation and care for the poor.
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  What is your 5784 Climate Resolution? Shana Tova from Adamah

  This video contains a quick overview of the year and interviews with members of the Adamah community on their goals for the Jewish New Year in relation to the environment and climate action. It encourages the viewer to make their own climate goals and reflect on their environmental actions.
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  St. Francis of Assissi Novena

  This novena from the autumn of 2022 contains nine days of prayers to St. Francis of Assissi. "Though he chose not to be ordained a priest, St. Francis is one of the most revered saints of the church. The great respect accorded to St. Francis is primarily due to his life of service, insistence on the practice of absolute poverty, and great humility. He founded the Order of the Friars Minor, co-founded the Poor Clares, and the Order of St. Francis...He is renowned for his love of animals, the environment, and his desire for peace."
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  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."
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  The Spirit of the Rillito

  This article explores the ideas of animism and new animism. Animism is the belief that all things, living and non-living, have a spiritual essence. The author connects this system of beliefs to their local river, the Rillito.
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  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.
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  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.
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  Man and Nature: The Spiritual Crisis in Modern Man

  Written by a man considered to be one of the founders of the discussion on Islamic environmentalism, this book explores the relationship of man and nature in relation to religious traditions.
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  Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson

  "Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson is... … a journalist on CNN Tonight and at Rolling Stone, having been a columnist for The Daily Beast for eight years. Jay has written over 1400 articles on the Supreme Court, religion, LGBTQ issues, climate change, and other topics. He just won the 2023 New York Society for Professional Journalists ‘Deadline Club’ award for opinion writing. … a rabbi and meditation teacher who has written several books on meditation, religion, and spirituality. Jay was also an editor and podcast host for Ten Percent Happier for four years..." and more.
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  What to do About Eco-Anxiety

  "In the mental health community, there’s a new term: “Eco-Anxiety.” Our guest in this episode, Jay Michaelson, has been thinking hard about climate change for many, many years. Michaelson is a meditation teacher, rabbi, lawyer, activist, and journalist. And he is also a core teacher in the Ten Percent Happier app. He’s covered climate change extensively, and has taught environmental ethics at Boston University Law School and Chicago Theological Seminary. He has also been a leading environmental activist in religious communities. In this conversation, we talk about what Jay thinks some meditation teachers get wrong about climate change, what he calls the “delusion” that individual habit change can make an impact, how we can use meditation to engage more effectively in the kind of politics he says we need to move the needle on a systemic level, and how to use meditation and deep breathing to handle eco-anxiety."
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  Reducing Eco-Anxiety

  "There are days when I feel that climate change is the only thing that matters and that the tragedy of it is unbearable. I feel simultaneously like screaming on the street and hiding under the covers. At least I know that I’m not alone. According to a 2020 study by the American Psychiatric Association, over half of Americans said they were somewhat or extremely anxious about the impact of climate change. And they – we – are right. There aren’t enough words in this newsletter to describe the scope of this tragedy, which has just begun to unfold. Massive species and habitat loss. At least 250,000 deaths each year from 2030-2050, according to WHO projections. Up to a billion climate and food refugees, with attendant conflicts and disasters. Increased wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and pandemics. Covid-19 is a picnic compared to what’s in store for our children. So what can we do?..."
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  The Great Global Cleanup

  This toolkit is intended to help guide people and groups on how to start and execute a cleanup project to restore communities. "Follow our simple guide to make the most out of your cleanup. If you need any help, reach out to us at info@earthday.org."
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  Creation Care Column

  The Creation Care Column is a weekly column by Elliott Bush that is posted through St. Stephens Episcopal Church's (Columbus) website. Here Bush discusses current environmental events, tips for living a sustainable life, and much more all in the name of caring for God's creation. Bush also provides a wide array of environmental sources to allow readers to continue their education on their own. For example, in one of the most recent posts, Bush speaks about changes in plastic pollution efforts and encourages readers to check out Katherine Hayoe's weekly newsletter or Green America to find out more information.
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  A Bluer Theology: Protecting and Restoring God’s Marine Creation

  "Blue Theology was founded in 2008 by Rev. Dan Paul and Rev. Deborah Streeter. Streeter coined the term “Blue Theology” as a theological approach that weaves together marine biology and Christian theology. Over the next few years, the Church, only blocks from the Pacific Ocean, began hosting weeklong groups to engage in learning-serving experiences with God’s marine creation. Over the last two years, Blue Theology Outposts have opened in Newport Beach, CA, Texas City, TX, and Beaufort, NC. The mission of the Blue Theology program is to provide learning and serving experiences in ocean conservation while fostering heart connections to the sea."
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  Scripture Sunday: Invitation to the Thirsty

  "Walter Bruggeman has said that the task of the prophet is 'to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.' Here in Deutero-Isaiah, the Israelites who have been exiled are given a vision of hope, Isaiah is evoking a reality far different from what they know. In the previous chapter, God says, in one of my favorite verses, 'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you… My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed' (Isaiah 54:7-10). This is the climax of the second book of Isaiah, that God’s anger towards injustice and the consequences of it are momentary, but God’s compassion, love, and faithfulness are everlasting, something we can never be separated from. Isaiah 55 then flows into the specifics of that love. God’s invitation into divine care is one that freely gives water, food, and rest."
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  A Future We Can Love: How We Can Reverse the Climate Crisis with the Power of Our Hearts and Minds

  "Discover wisdom and guidance to face the climate emergency from the most influential spiritual and environmental leaders of our time, including the Dalai Lama, Greta Thunberg, Joanna Macy, Vandana Shiva, Paul Hawken, Katharine Hayhoe, and Matthieu Ricard. When the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg spoke for the first time in January 2021, millions of people around the world took notice. “It is encouraging to see how you have opened the eyes of the world to the urgency to protect our planet, our only home,” the Dalai Lama wrote to Greta before their meeting. A Future We Can Love shares the words of these two great figures, generations apart, bringing them into dialogue with dozens of visionary scientists, activists, and spiritual luminaries. These include indigenous scholar and artist Lyla June, medical biochemist and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger, climate scientist and Zen teacher Kritee Kanko, interfaith environmental leader Dekila Chungyalpa, Buddhist teacher Willa Blythe Baker, Rabbi Steve Leder, and many more. Through this world-changing conversation, readers embark on a four-part journey toward active hope in the face of the climate crisis: from knowledge of climate science, through the capacity for change, and to the will that is needed and the actions we can take."