We need your help to take action to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts.
Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor One of the best ways to ensure that the spotlight on saving the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is to express to your local and regional media that you care. Please consider writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed about what the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts mean to you and why it’s important to protect them. We've included what local and regional media has said about the decision. We also encourage you to check out this resource for writing an op-ed. To see how some faith leaders have spoken out on the decision made by President Trump, check out our press release. See national news clips on this issue on our national toolkit page. Please see the following resources for helping to craft and pitch an op-ed. If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected] Connecticut News Clips: Governing Like a Disney Villain - The Day (6.14.20) Conservationists Mull Lawsuits as Feds Roll Back Ocean Protections - Public News Service (6.9.20) Sign and Share Our Petition Build momentum! Sign our petition for the faith community on why the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are so important. And once you’ve signed, share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - wherever you show up in your community! Link to share petition: https://creationjustice.salsalabs.org/canyonsandseamounts Contact Your Member of Congress Call your members of Congress to tell them why protecting God's marine creation matters to you and your community, and that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument needs strong conservation protections. Call the Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Here's a script you can use when making these calls/emails: Hello I'm ______ (name) with ________ (faith community affiliation) in ___ (city). I would like to leave an urgent message for the Member's communications staff. On World Environment Day, President Trump rolled back vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Faith communities worked hard to win this historic and vital biodiverse, climate resilience sanctuary for God's marine creation. I am appalled. I respectfully request the member publicly rebuke the President's action, then take further action to uphold and strengthen conservation protections for all national monuments, including this marine national monument. If you would like to follow up with me for next action steps on this issue, my contact information is __________. Thank you. Connecticut Congressional Delegation Updates ![]()
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We need your help to take action to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. We ask that you take action in these three ways. Please see details/resources within this document for more information.
Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor One of the best ways to ensure that the spotlight on saving the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is to express to your local and regional media that you care. Please consider writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed about what the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts mean to you and why it’s important to protect them. We've included what local and regional media has said about the decision. We also encourage you to check out this resource for writing an op-ed. To see how some faith leaders have spoken out on the decision made by President Trump, check out our press release. See national news clips on this issue on our national toolkit page. If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected] Rhode Island News Coverage Point Judith Fishermen Optimistic as Restrictions Lifted (6.13.20) Sign and Share Our Petition Build momentum! Sign our petition for the faith community on why the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are so important. And once you’ve signed, share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - wherever you show up in your community! Link to share petition: https://creationjustice.salsalabs.org/canyonsandseamounts Contact Your Member of Congress Call or set up a virtual visit with your members of Congress to tell them why protecting God's marine creation matters to you and your community, and that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument needs strong conservation protections. Call the Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Here's a script you can use when making these calls/emails: Hello I'm ______ (name) with ________ (faith community affiliation) in ___ (city). I would like to leave an urgent message for the Member's communications staff. On World Environment Day, President Trump rolled back vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Faith communities worked hard to win this historic and vital biodiverse, climate resilience sanctuary for God's marine creation. I am appalled. I respectfully request a forceful public statement rebuking the President's actions. If you would like to follow up with me for next action steps on this issue, my contact information is __________. Thank you. Updates from Rhode Island Congressional Delegation
We need your help to take action to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. We ask that you take action in these three ways. Please see details/resources within this document for more information.
Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor One of the best ways to ensure that the spotlight on saving the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is to express to your local and regional media that you care. Please consider writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed about what the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts mean to you and why it’s important to protect them. We've included what local and regional media has said about the decision. We also encourage you to check out this resource for influencing the media. To see how some faith leaders have spoken out on the decision made by President Trump, check out our press release. See national news clips on this issue on our national toolkit page. If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected] So far, we have not found any New Hampshire-specific media coverage. Please help change this! Sign and Share Our Petition Build momentum! Sign our petition for the faith community on why the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are so important. And once you’ve signed, share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - wherever you show up in your community! Link to share petition: https://creationjustice.salsalabs.org/canyonsandseamounts Contact Your Member of Congress Call, snail mail or email your members of Congress to tell them why protecting God's marine creation matters to you and your community, and that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument needs strong conservation protections. Call the Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 or check out this website to find your representative's websites! Here's a script you can use when making these calls/emails: Hello I'm ______ (name) with ________ (faith community affiliation) in ___ (city). I would like to leave an urgent message for the Member's communications staff. On World Environment Day, President Trump rolled back vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Faith communities worked hard to win this historic and vital biodiverse, climate resilience sanctuary for God's marine creation. I am appalled. I respectfully request a forceful public statement rebuking the President's actions. If you would like to follow up with me for next action steps on this issue, my contact information is __________. Thank you. Comments by New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Tweet by Senator Shaheen (5.6.20)
We need your help to take action to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. We ask that you take action in these three ways. Please see details/resources within this document for more information.
Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor One of the best ways to ensure that the spotlight on saving the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is to express to your local and regional media that you care. Please consider writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed about what the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts mean to you and why it’s important to protect them. We've included what local and regional media has said about the decision. We also encourage you to check out this resource for writing an op-ed. To see how some faith leaders have spoken out on the decision made by President Trump, check out our press release. See national news clips on this issue on our national toolkit page. Please see the following resources for helping to craft and pitch an op-ed. If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected] Massachusetts Media Response: In Another Step to Remove Environmental Regulations, Trump Moves to Allow Fishing in New England Conservation Area By: David Abel, Globe Staff “Why the New England Aquarium is Fighting Back Against the Trump Administration” By Nik DeCosta Kilpa, Boston.com staff “Trump gutted protections for the Atlantic’s only marine monument — now what?” Op Ed By Miriam Goldstien in the Boston Globe Statement on Trump Administration’s rollback of protections for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument New England Aquarium Sign and Share Our Petition Build momentum! Sign our petition for the faith community on why the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are so important. And once you’ve signed, share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram wherever you show up in your community! If you’re a faith leader, consider adding the petition to your newsletter or website. To see how other faith leaders have spoken out on the decision made by President Trump, check out our press release. Link to share petition: https://creationjustice.salsalabs.org/canyonsandseamounts Contact Your Member of Congress Call, snail mail or email your members of Congress to tell them why protecting God's marine creation matters to you and your community, and that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument needs strong conservation protections. Call the Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 or check out this website to find your representative's websites! Here's a script you can use when making these calls/emails: Hello I'm ______ (name) with ________ (faith community affiliation) in ___ (city). I would like to leave a message. On World Environment Day, President Trump rolled back vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Faith communities worked hard to win this historic and vital biodiverse, climate resilience sanctuary for God's marine creation. I am appalled. I respectfully request you do what you can to uphold and strengthen national monument conservation protections, including this important marine monument. If you would like to follow up with me for next action steps on this issue, my contact information is __________. Thank you. What MA Decision-Makers Are Saying
We need your help to take action to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. We ask that you take action in these three ways. Please see details/resources within this document for more information.
(6.5.20
We need your help to take action to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. We ask that you take action in these three ways. Please see details/resources within this document for more information.
Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor One of the best ways to ensure that the spotlight on saving the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is to express to your local and regional media that you care. Please consider writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed about what the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts mean to you and why it’s important to protect them. We've included the statements made so far from congressional members as a great starting point to respond to, as well as what local and regional media has said about the decision. We also encourage you to check out this resource for writing an op-ed. To see how other faith leaders have spoken out on the decision made by President Trump, check out our press release. If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected] Maine Media Response: “Trump Didn’t Save Maine’s Fishing Industry” Editorial Board of The Bangor Daily News (6.5.20) In Maine. Trump rescinds protections on marine national monument off Cape Cod News Center Maine (6.5.20) Trump Opens Atlantic Marine Monument To Fishing During Maine Roundtable Maine Public Radio (6.5.20) Trump opens marine monument to fishermen, promises trade relief Portland Press Herald (6.5.20) Opinion: Trump Rights a Wrong by Opening Monument to Commercial Fishing Portland Press Herald (6.10.20) Suit Claims Trump's Decision to Open Up Seamounts Unlawful Maine Public Radio (6.17.20) Environmental Groups Sue Trump (6.17.20) What The Maine Delegation Has Said So Far: Chellie Pingree: Representative, District 1 Link to official statement June 5, 2020: “President Trump spent much of his roundtable saying he could fix trade policies that have hurt Maine fishermen with the stroke of a pen, but it is his failed trade policies that caused China to retaliate with a lobster tariff. The congressional delegation wrote to him last June to help our fishermen and he did nothing.” “President Trump had four years to meet with Maine fishermen who have been devastated by his reckless trade and commerce policies, but did not. When Congress approved $300 million in COVID-19 relief money for the fishing industry, the Trump Administration dragged its feet to release that money. Forget the fact that the President doesn’t have explicit legal authority to unilaterally open up a national monument for commercial fishing, this will be tied up in the courts for years. This move will not provide economic benefits to the fishing industry at a time when markets have been lost, the global supply chain in shambles, and boats are tied up at the dock.” Jared Golden: Representative, District 2 Link to statement “While I’m glad to hear that the president will also hold a roundtable with representatives of Maine’s fishing industry while he’s in our state, I have to ask: where has he been for the past four years? Lobstermen have been raising the alarm with the White House for some time, and I have been asking for help from the Trump Administration since I came to Congress. Last July, I led the Maine delegation to formally request that the president intervene to block his own administration’s proposed regulations on the lobster fishery. Nearly a year later, we still haven’t received a response or seen any action against these harmful regulations. I genuinely hope the president commits the full power of the presidency to protecting Maine’s lobster industry, and I am ready to work with him — as I have been for some time now — if he will commit to taking action. This debate has been going on throughout his presidency. We are long past the time for roundtables — Maine lobstermen need action.” – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) (6.4.20) Members of Maine’s congressional delegation panned the decision. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat from the 2nd Congressional District, said the policy change would mostly benefit fishermen in Massachusetts. (Bangor Daily news 6/5 article) Angus King: Senator, Independent “The President’s decision today to roll back the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument designation won’t improve the prospects for our fishermen a fraction as much as reconsidering the tariffs that have wiped out years of time, toil, and energy invested by our seafood industry in developing new markets around the globe. To make matters worse, while other agricultural producers, who are suffering similar losses as a result of these trade wars, receive significant support – financial and otherwise – Maine’s seafood industry has largely been left to weather this storm alone. If the President truly wants to take action to help Maine lobstermen, I’d urge him to start with those tariffs.” Maine Senator Angus King (6.5.20 in News Center Maine) Susan Collins: Senator, Republican “I have worked closely with Maine fishermen, lobstermen, and industry leaders on the most pressing issues they face, which include addressing trade barriers with China and the E.U., ensuring the impending right whale regulations are based on sound data and do not impose an unfair burden on Maine’s lobstermen and women, and providing direct financial relief to help offset the economic harm caused by COVID-19. The federal government should direct its focus to resolving these challenges rather than reopening the debate over this national marine monument.” ~ Maine Senator Susan Collins (6.8.20 in Bloomberg Law) Sign and Share Our Petition Build momentum! Sign our petition for the faith community on why the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are so important. And once you’ve signed, share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - wherever you show up in your community! If you’re a faith leader, consider adding the petition to your newsletter or website. Link to share petition: https://creationjustice.salsalabs.org/canyonsandseamounts Contact Your Member of Congress Call your members of Congress to tell them why protecting God's marine creation matters to you and your community, and that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument needs strong conservation protections. Call the Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 or check out this website to find your representative's websites! Here's a script you can use when making these calls/emails: Hello I'm ______ (name) with ________ (faith community affiliation) in ___ (city). I would like to leave a message. On World Environment Day, President Trump rolled back vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Faith communities worked hard to win this historic and vital biodiverse, climate resilience sanctuary for God's marine creation. I am appalled. I respectfully request you do what you can to uphold and strengthen national monument conservation protections, including this important marine monument. If you would like to follow up with me for next action steps on this issue, my contact information is __________. Thank you. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shantha Ready Alonso, Creation Justice Ministries 202-618-2501 (mobile) [email protected] Washington, DC --- Today, the US Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422) with a strong bipartisan 73-25 vote. This bill, for the first time, will permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with $900 million annually. The bill also will create a five-year fund to reduce the current $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on federally managed public lands. Now, the US House of Representatives must pass the companion bill, so a final version can be signed into law. Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha Ready Alonso commented on the passage of the bill, “Religious communities strongly support increasing peoples' access to parks. Faith communities know first-hand that in this time of a pandemic and profound reckonings with our country’s racism, we are all in desperate need of the physical and mental healing power of God's creation. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is particularly suited to provide much-needed access to safe, well-maintained parks in communities of color, and it is long past time to rectify disparities in access to outdoor recreation opportunities. I look forward to a near future when park planners can leverage these new resources to prioritize recreation spaces in under-served communities.” Religious communities know much is at stake for their local communities to benefit from public lands funding. In years leading up to the bill’s passage, religious communities have shown support, most recently with a letter from 50 Arizona clergy to Senators Kyrsten Synema and Martha McSally which stated, “Beloved places such as South Mountain Park, Cortez Park, Sahuaro Ranch Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, and Veterans Memorial Park have benefited from LWCF, and this must continue.” Organizer of this letter Rev. Katie Sexton of Arizona Faith Network said of the Senate Bill's passage, "As people of many faiths, we are grateful that our Senators recognize the sacredness of creation and have worked to protect it. In these anxious times, God's creation helps to heal our wounds. Today's vote brings us one step closer to ensuring God's creation continues to endure as a place of Sabbath, refuge, and joy for generations to come.” Religious communities are responding pastorally and practically to economic distress from the pandemic, and also welcome the job opportunities that will come from this legislation. The bill will put tens of thousands of people back to work and deliver real, enduring benefits to our public lands and the US economy. Research on the impact of the LWCF shows that $1 spent generates $4 in economic value from natural resource goods and services alone. A just-released economic analysis shows that every $1 million invested in LWCF could support between 16.8 and 30.8 jobs. Alternative uses of the funds would create fewer jobs - for instance, the oil and gas industry would support half as many jobs per $1 million investment. ###
Creation Justice Ministries is a membership organization that represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of 38 Christian denominations, communions and fellowships from Orthodox, Mainline Protestant, Baptist, Peace, and Historically Black church traditions. Through its members, it serves approximately 100,000 congregations and 35 million people. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2020 Contact: Shantha Ready Alonso [email protected], 760-408-0688 (cell) Creation Justice Ministries Rebukes Decision by Trump Administration to Rollback Protections for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Washington, DC - Today, President Trump rolled back protections on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. This decision comes on World Environment Day, and on the fifth day of National Ocean Month. Christians strongly support upholding national monument protections, and many specifically urged President Trump to uphold the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. New England-based faith-based organizations including the Rhode Island Council of Churches and Inter-religious Eco-Justice Network of Connecticut strongly backed the national marine monument proposal throughout 2016, having offered a public prayer service, a teach-in with scientists at Save the Bay in Providence, delivered supportive sign-on letters, published opinion media pieces, a Massachusetts kids’ ocean conservation art campaign, and participated in stakeholder meetings leading up to the monument designation. Interim Executive Minister for the Rhode Island State Council of Churches Rev. Chontell N. Washington offered the following response: “The Rhode Island State Council of Churches (RISCC) is saddened to hear the announcement that President Trump is rolling back vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. We worked very hard with many other faith-based and environmental organizations to enact legislation that protected this vital marine life area. As God’s stewards of this beautiful planet, we will continue to stand with Creation Justice Ministries and all others fighting the rollback of this monument as well as loss of protection for this diverse and important marine habitat.” Pastor of New Roots African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts Rev. Mariama White-Hammond said of the decision, "President Trump's rollback of conservation protections for our Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument stifles our communities' climate justice and biodiversity needs. Underwater sanctuaries are necessary for God's creation to be resilient and regenerate. We depend on God's marine creation for food, for spiritual sustenance, and for half the oxygen we breathe. In a week when the words 'I can't breathe' have been ringing in our ears, Trump's violation of our marine sanctuary protections is yet one more example of how anti-life his actions continue to be." Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts & Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas remarked on her experience of Trump’s actions this week: "Like many Christians, I am appalled that President Trump seems intent on desecrating all things sacred. Just days ago, he deployed armed law enforcement officers to forcibly clear a crowd of non-violent protesters exercising their First Amendment rights and calling for justice for Black lives. The officers used tear gas on some of my fellow Episcopal priests outside a church where they were offering hospitality to peaceful protesters, all to make way for the President to have a photo taken, in which he used a Bible and the Episcopal church as a prop to lend moral legitimacy to his violent rhetoric and actions. Today is World Environment Day and the fifth day of Ocean Month, yet President Trump saw fit today to roll back conservation protections for this underwater sanctuary for God's marine creation. We treasure this monument, which, like Noah’s ark, protects and shelters a precious diversity of life, including endangered species. People of faith and conscience see through these callous actions, and we vigorously oppose them." Ocean protection efforts are supported by 95% of Americans. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was historic as the first national monument in the Atlantic Ocean, and the first marine monument designated for scientists to learn how to support climate resilience. Many scientists now agree that to prevent widespread misery and catastrophic biodiversity loss, we must provide strong conservation protections for the natural world, starting with at least 30 percent of marine and terrestrial natural world by 2030. Today’s decision was a setback on that goal. Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha Ready Alonso said of today’s decision, “It is deeply frustrating to see our community’s historic conservation victory that was the fruit of years of organizing efforts un-done in an announcement in which President Trump seems to barely understand the implications of his action. Unless we change course quickly and dramatically, our children will look back at our short-sighted squandering of God’s creation and ask us: ‘How dare you let this happen?’” Creation Justice Ministries represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of 38 Christian communions, including Baptist conventions, mainline Protestants, Historically Black Churches, Peace Churches, and Orthodox communions. By Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha Ready Alonso ![]() “I can’t breathe.” These were the heartbreaking recorded words spoken by George Floyd and Eric Garner in their last moments before being murdered at the hands of police officers. Jogger Ahmaud Arbery was out to breathe some fresh air when he was murdered by white supremacist vigilantes. Yesterday, many Christians observed Pentecost, the day a great rushing wind -- the life-giving breath of God -- called the Church into being. Today, we begin Ocean Month, and remember with gratitude that approximately half the oxygen we breathe on God’s good Earth comes from marine photosynthesizers, like phytoplankton. To be Church, we are called to rightly share and sustain the life-giving breath of God that flows through each person, and animates all of creation: both spiritually and materially. We have a moral responsibility to end conditions contributing to so many Black people being forced to breathe their last breath before their time has come. White supremacist vigilantes, police, and the prison system are continuing to regularly perpetrate horrific violence against Black people. African Americans are perishing from COVID-19 at approximately twice the rate of the general US population. Generations of environmental racism and economic inequity compound other life-threatening forces. Black bodies bear the health burdens that come from disproportionate exposure to pollution and inequitable distribution of healthy food. Black communities also disproportionately labor in unsafe work environments and need access to quality healthcare. Communities of color have received fewer emergency preparedness resources and less disaster relief from the government, which has proven to be a deadly under-investment. In everyday interpersonal interactions, discriminatory exchanges in workplaces, neighborhoods, parks, the media, commerce, and public policy forums take their toll on chronic stress levels as they repeat over and over. Now is the time to act with urgency to restore breath to the people, affirming that Black Lives Matter, too. ![]() The Creation Justice community has a unique role to play in upholding reverence for Black lives: We must end environmental racism. We cannot rest until Black communities have equal access to safe air, water, and soil. We will support Black food justice. We will hold government accountable for just climate resilience planning, and equitable disaster relief. We will support Black workers calling for protections from exposure to toxins. We will demand government stakeholder processes for environmental decisions that truly include the guidance of Black communities that will be impacted. We will defend opportunities for Black communities to benefit from the healing power of God’s creation. This means the outdoors are accessible, welcoming places that not only uphold Black safety, but also foster Black wonder, Black Sabbath rest, Black heritage-sharing, and Black joy. We begin the June "Ocean Month" Creation Justice Actions by centering Black lives, so all can BREATHE. In addition to our usual bulletin insert, education and action resources, we have included in our Action Center a round-up of ways our members are upholding reverence for Black lives, which we will continuously update as resources are posted. We support the efforts of the ecumenical community in seeking justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and too many others. We also uphold the efforts of our members on policing reform, as well as transforming our broken criminal justice system. By Creation Justice Ministries board member Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). (Based on Acts 2:1-40 and current events) Fire and smoke.
And desperation. Hope and fear and expectation. A mighty wind from heaven. Like the deepest sighs of God. A different language spoken. An older world-view broken. Crowds. Bewilderment. Amazement. Astounded and perplexed. Mocking. Confusion The meaning unclear. What will happen next? But then—they stood up. They stood up and addressed the crowds. Listen to the message! Women. Men. Daughters and sons. Visions. Dreams. And prophesy. Listen to the message! Blood and fire and billows of smoke. What, then, shall we do? they cry. What, then, shall we do? The speaker calls out in reply, “Repent! Turn around! O Change your wicked ways! Judgment and fire are speaking truth. Turn around now and be saved. Listen to the message! My body will dwell in hope. Because my soul is not abandoned. I will sit at the right hand of the Lord, with the enemies of life underfoot. Listen to the message! Come, Holy Spirit, Come! And set all people free! ** This message originally appeared in the April 2020 Alliance of Baptists Newsletter. The Alliance of Baptists is an active member of Creation Justice Ministries ** ![]() Here we are on the threshold of Faith Climate Action Week and the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the world has been turned upside down by the novel coronavirus. Some argue that this is not the time to ask people to think about climate justice, but as a Christian, I believe that this apocalyptic (revelatory!) moment is a Kairos moment, a time for us to help people connect the dots on many levels. First, there are clear links between the pandemic and climate crises.
The difference between a pandemic outbreak and climate change is the speed with which they are unfolding. The climate catastrophe has already had devastating effects on vulnerable human populations and our other-than-human neighbors, but many of us who have had the benefit of various kinds of privilege have remained unscathed. The novel coronavirus has torn away the veil of privilege and given many of us a direct experience of how billions of people in the world live every day with the stresses of food, housing, health, education, and job insecurity. These are all matters of justice and of faith. As we emerge from the pandemic, faith communities have a special responsibility to remember its lessons and to apply them to the slower, but inexorably unfolding, climate crisis. Here’s the good news. Climate activists have been calling for years for a World War II-scale response to climate change in order to prevent catastrophe, but that response has been dismissed as impossible. Yet when faced with a pandemic, the U.S. alone came up with over two trillion dollars almost overnight. If that is possible, then it is also possible to address climate change, even to make a clean energy transition central to restructuring an economy that includes everyone without destroying God’s creation. Some version of a Green New Deal, one that includes racial, gender, economic and creation justice is possible.The #JustRecovery movement can succeed. For a people who proclaim the Easter reality of resurrection and the profound love of God for the world, those are possibilities we need to proclaim prophetically and join the Spirit to bring to birth. The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is a good time to begin. FAITH CLIMATE ACTION WEEK AND EARTH DAY OPPORTUNITIES Visit Creation Justice Ministries’ April Action Center. Tips and tools to make a difference for God's creation this Earth Month include: ● 2020 Earth Sunday toolkit: "The Fierce Urgency of Now" ● April 2020 "Care for Creation" bulletin insert ● Link to Virtual Earth Day worship at The National Cathedral, Sunday, April 19, at 2:00pm ET ● Ecumenical Advocacy Days virtual advocacy opportunity for legislation in Congress April 27 at 1:00pm ET ● Action Alert: Support the 30x30 Resolution to Save Nature Interfaith Power and Light’s Faith Climate Action Week 2020: “Love Made Visible” ● Get a free kit from Interfaith Power and Light that includes a ritual for planting a tree on the grounds of your congregation as part of its “For the Love of Trees” campaign, and other resources. Download it here. ● Join IPL's Love Made Visible Climate March online! Out of our love and care for our neighbors, and to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, IPL invites you to share your climate march sign on social media during Faith Climate Action Week April 17-26 to continue bringing awareness to the climate crisis. ● The feature film for this year’s Faith Climate Action Week – The Human Element – is being offered for free online by Earth Vision Institute during Faith Climate Action Week to all Interfaith Power & Light congregations, organizations and individuals.Sign up here to receive the link to view on April 17, good through April 26. Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 ● Earth Day Sound the Call - An invitation from the Jewish community to interfaith partners for an online blowing of the shofar, shofar app, or other instrument on Earth Day. Find out more at https://bit.ly/2WQpN2R. ● Join the global Earth Day prayer at noon here . ● Attend the webinar for faith communities, The Earth Is the Lord’s at 1:00 with the Rev. Dr.Benjamin Chavis Jr., who coined the term “environmental racism.” The webinar will focus on the role of faith communities in resisting those powers that seek to rule and desecrate what is not theirs ucc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9UN745tnROynNLCuDpasbQ ● April 22-24, Earth Day Live. Young people and adults will come together for a three-day livestream event focused on climate action: Earth Day Live. With training sessions, performances, and appearances from scientists, celebrities, politicians, and youth activists, this 72-hour livestream and online mobilization will engage people across the country and around the world in collective action to protect their communities and the climate. RSVP for Earth DayLive . ● Find more digital Earth Day actions and events at https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/ ,@earthdaynetwork, where every hour there will be a new way for you to demand action and drive change. Then sign up to continue taking action at EARTHRISE earthday.org/earthrise/ ![]() The Rev. Betsy J. Sowers serves as the Minister for Earth Justice at congregational partner Old Cambridge Baptist Church. She is a member of the Alliance of Baptists Creation Justice Community Steering Committee. |
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