climate justice

UCC Webinar: Elon Musk, Oligarchy, and Climate Justice

January 25, 2025 in Faith In Action

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.

Climate Action Assembly on June 26th

June 08, 2024 in Faith In Action

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!

Vote for Climate Hope Campaign Kick-Off!

June 08, 2024 in Faith In Action

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!

Invitation to "In Uncharted Times" on Faith, Climate, Creation: Tuesday, April 10 (NM Interfaith Power/Light)

April 06, 2024 in Faith In Action

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.

UCC Event—Climate Action Commissioning Service

December 09, 2023 in Faith In Action

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)

UCC Webinar—The Climate Strike Movement 5 Years Later

August 26, 2023 in Faith In Action

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.

Climate and Energy Resources for Faith Communities: A Briefing with the U.S. Department of Energy

July 08, 2023 in Faith In Action

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.

Register Here

UCC Webinar—Seizing an Opportunity: Strengthening EPA Protections in 2023

June 09, 2023 in Faith In Action

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.

Tell Congress: Invest in Equitable Climate Solutions

November 19, 2022 in Faith In Action

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.

Climate Hope Now! Save the Date

November 12, 2022 in Faith In Action

Imagine 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.

Sign Interfaith Power & Light's letter to President Biden

September 12, 2022 in Faith In Action

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.

Click here to sign the petition to President Biden calling on the U.S. government to lead by example by committing to bold and just climate action.

Join the Global Ministries Mission Dash 5K!

July 30, 2022 in Faith In Action

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.

Time is Out. We Demand Climate Justice NOW.

July 23, 2022 in Faith In Action

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.

Act Now for Climate Justice

July 23, 2022 in Faith In Action

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.

JPANet: Honor Earth Day and Fight Environmental Injustice

April 21, 2022 in Faith In Action

The 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.

UCC Webinar—The UN Climate Conference through a Moral Lens

October 30, 2021 in Faith In Action

In 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!

Invitation for faith leaders to sign climate methane letter

September 04, 2021 in Faith In Action

New Mexico folks: Barb received this letter last week from Sr. Joan Brown, Executive Director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light and offers it for your consideration. Pass it on to anyone in your congregations that might be interested. View the letter here. To add your name, please send your name, faith affiliation or position and city to joan@nm-ipl.org.

Climate Solutions Film Festival - Streaming all LABOR DAY WEEKEND

August 27, 2020 in Faith In Action

Sep. 3, 7:00 p.m. - Sep. 8, 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with ADVENTURE, MUSIC, ANIMATION, SCIENCE, STUNNING IMAGERY AND INSPIRATION!! Presented by Tucson's chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, AFN, and others.

Produced by Wild & Scenic on Tour, the festival includes 20 short films and special guests UA's Dr. Joellen Russell and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero! This series is a benefit to send AZ student climate activists to Washington DC to learn more about climate science, policy solutions and lobby Congress.