climate justice
With a proven strategy for affecting change, members of Climate Hope Affiliates are developing ongoing relationships with members of Congress, the local media, and the broader community. Our immediate focus is to prevent the dismantling and defunding of the EPA.
Sign up to learn about Climate Hope Affiliates on either:
Thursday, November 13th at 12 pm MST or
Wednesday, November 19th at 5 pm MST
Read MoreFrom our friends at Arizona Interfaith Power and Light:
If you think Arizona should prioritize clean energy, now is the time to speak to the Arizona Corporation Commission!
For 20 years, Arizona utility companies have been intentional about incorporating renewables into our state energy profile because they have been required to. However, the ACC is currently looking to get rid of this requirement. So, we’re asking you to share your opinion on the matter, speak out against this proposal to repeal renewable energy standards, and show the ACC we're paying attention to how utilities are responding to the climate crisis.
In this article, you'll find background information, effective ways to take action, optional talking points with resources to learn more, and people you can reach out to for any questions.
Read MoreLast weekend, the launch of the seventh Climate Hope Affiliate was celebrated in Atlanta, Georgia. Affiliates address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice by developing ongoing relationships with Members of Congress, local media, and others in the broader community. Let us know if you are interested in starting an affiliate where you live.
Read MoreThe UCC is currently launching its first chapters of the UCC Climate Hope Affiliates program in Allentown (PA), Hanover (NH), Framingham (MA), and Freemont (CA). The goal is to create the political will to address the twin, intertwined crises of climate change and societal injustice. Chapters will take monthly actions to develop long-term relationships with their members of congress and local media.
Let us know if you are interested in starting a chapter where you live.
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Over and over again, the Bible tells of prophets who confronted rulers and the rich with an eye toward justice. Today, the ultra-rich hold enormous political power in the United States, and the implications are many, especially when it comes to the pursuit of climate justice. As the world’s richest man and as someone once hailed as a climate savior, Elon Musk has told the President that “we don’t need to rush” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As people of faith, what are we to make of this situation in which a small number of wealthy individuals have a tremendous influence over the future well-being of humanity and all of God’s creation? More importantly, what are we to do? Join us as a panel of speakers helps us address these questions.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register today!
This webinar is at 11 am AZ/NM/EP time on Wednesday, February 12.
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The next UCC Climate Action Assembly will feature Cora Wynet, who is the Senior Director of Research at Rewiring America, the nation's leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes and communities. She will help us further the UCC's commitment to electrifying our churches and the homes of our members.
Every two months the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly to further collective efforts on three endeavors launched this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC. Register to join us!
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On June 18th, the UCC will launch its second Climate Hope card collection campaign that will build upon the success of the more than 8,000 postcards we delivered to the senior officials of the EPA last year. This year the art of 12-year-old Charlotte from Glenside, Pennsylvania will be on the cover of our Vote for Climate Hope Pledge Cards. Between now and November 1st, UCC churches from across the country will be collecting the pledges of those committed to voting their values in November. We know people are more likely to vote when (a) it is connected to a cause they care about, (b) they make a commitment to others vote, and (c) they get a reminder to vote near the time of the election.
Learn more at our online kickoff event on June 18th at 3 pm ET!
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From Rev. Talitha Arnold, Senior Pastor of The United Church of Santa Fe:
I’m writing to share an invitation from Sr. Joan Brown of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light to a special program (and breakfast) on "Faith, Climate, and Creation Care" next Tuesday, April 10, 8-10 am at First Presbyterian, ABQ. (If coming in person isn't an option, you can tune for the presentation piece at the link below).
Bishop Michael Hunn from the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande and I will share our reflections and invite conversation on questions around religion, climate, and religious leadership in our challenging times.
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The UCC Council for Climate Justice is convening a Climate Action Commissioning Service as our members across the country launch into advancing climate justice in 2024. The preacher for this event will be Nellis Kennedy-Howard who once worked alongside Winona LaDuke as the Co-Executive Director of Honor the Earth in addition to later working as the Sierra Club’s Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
Sign up to join us for this online event on Wednesday, January 3rd at 1 pm ET (11 am MT)
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Five years have now passed from when Greta Thunberg and others launched a movement that reverberated around the world. The movement continues as organizers prepare for the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City on September 17th.
This webinar will feature faith-based organizers and activists who will reflect back on the movement and where we are today. Speakers will include Rev. Jim Antal, Aly Tharp, and Gabriela Martinez.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on September 13th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
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The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) created the largest climate and clean energy investment America has ever made. These bills provide federal funding for energy and climate resiliency improvements that can be used in houses of worship and our individual homes.
Join us for a briefing on July 18th with the U.S. Department of Energy to learn more about direct pay, the tax credits, the programs, and the role faith communities can play in helping our country address the climate crisis and ensure that all communities are supported.
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The coming months at the EPA present a significant opportunity to save thousands of lives, address societal inequalities, and put the United States on a path to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. The next Creation Justice Webinar will discuss this opportunity and how communities of faith can make the most of it. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on June 14th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
PS: This webinar provides helpful background for churches that are engaged in the the UCC's Climate Hope Cards campaign. Churches from across the country are gathering signed petition postcards to deliver to the EPA. Download cards, get a toolkit, and register your congregation to get updates.
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As one of the main perpetrators of climate disruption and pollution, the United States has a responsibility to address the devastating effects of climate change at home and around the world. Congress can make our nation a leader in addressing climate change in a manner that will have an impact, and your voices are needed to ensure that they take meaningful action.
Read MoreImagine 12 youth and young adults from across the country engaging in a dynamic fellowship program next year! Paired with a mentor and supportive UCC community, each fellow will participate in a project that will grow their understanding of environmental justice and nurture their leadership skills. Your gift to Climate Hope Summer will inspire these young leaders to advance one of our most important social justice causes.
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As we continue to see the effects of climate change globally through drought, fires, floods and other weather-related disasters, it is crucial that President Biden and the U.S. lead by example by taking bold pro-climate actions and making serious and ambitious investments to reduce our carbon emissions.
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Walk, roll, run, jog, advocate, or spiritually sprint wherever you are! You may choose to do the dash with your neighbors, friends, family, church, or on your own. You’re encouraged to do the 5K anytime between August 1 and August 31, 2022.
Make plans to join us today! Register now.
Check out the daily action calendar, too.
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We must continue to demand that all our leaders take immediate and bold action to address the climate crisis. They must pass legislation that transitions us fully to a renewable energy-fueled economy so that we can reduce our emissions by 2030. This should be done by including the climate change investments in the reconciliation bill. Congress must also ensure environmental justice while doing so and pass the Environmental Justice For All Act (H.R. 2021).
Now is the time for us to come together and lift our collective voice to hold Congress to account to meeting the needs of the people. We must also call on our neighbors to join us. There is simply no time to waste.
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Mission Dash is a virtual 5K that you can complete any time during the month of August. We encourage you to run, walk, roll, or spiritually sprint while raising money for our global partners working on climate justice projects. In addition to the 5K, we will also have a daily action calendar of just a few things you can do at home, in your community, in our country, and around the world to support climate justice. Not every person will be able to do every action, but we hope you will take the actions you can during August and then turn those actions into habits.
Read MoreThe time has come to pass the Environmental Justice for All Act. You can help make this happen. Contact your members of congress to see that this Act is finally passed. Together, we can ensure that all God’s people have access to a healthy environment where life can flourish and thrive.
Read MoreIn this webinar, we will hear from the following international climate policy specialists who will discuss the conference as it is happening: Kelly Stone from Action Aid, Chloe Noël from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, and Ruth Ivory-Moore from the Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1 pm ET on Wednesday, November 10th, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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