Americans must connect the dots between the earth’s climate crisis and the resurgence of Christian nationalism and white supremacy, according to activist and theologian Brian McLaren. But they must do so without falling into defeatism or complacency, he added. “The…
Interfaith Power and Light honors Durley with climate champion award
Civil Rights leader Gerald Durley is this year’s recipient of the Faithful Climate Champion award from Interfaith Power and Light. Interfaith Power and Light is a national climate organization that mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take action on…
Surrounded by trees: An Earth Day celebration and lament
One of the many blessings of my current home is its location. No matter what direction you look, you will see trees. And not just a few in our yard, but a forest. We are surrounded by majestic pines, maples…
How evangelicals promoted, then abandoned environmental stewardship
Rising temperatures made 2023 earth’s hottest year on record. Climate scientists say human activity increases heat-trapping gasses that contribute to weather-related disasters, which in 2022 forced more than 3 million Americans from their homes and cost the world $360 billion…
‘Sustainable’ houses of worship are missing their best chance to save the planet
Today, fewer Americans belong to a house of worship or attend services regularly. The decline in religious participation offers challenges — and opportunities — for congregations determined to pursue environmental sustainability. The teachings of most religions and denominations encourage, if…
Little Rock church named church of the year for innovative creation care
Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, Ark., has been named “C3 Church of the Year” for 2023 by the Christians Caring for Creation board of directors. Caring for creation has been a longtime emphasis at Second Presbyterian, going back to…
My five book recommendations for 2024
No 1. Saving Us, by Katherine Hayhoe I attended an event in Charlotte in early spring hosted by numerous environmental groups motivated by faith and/or science. I asked an attendee, Karen, who writes a weekly blog titled “Unheating,” what is…
What about China?
I have a friend who regularly hijacks my social media posts about climate change with a statement like, “There’s no point in investing all this money to transition away from fossil fuels unless China, India and Russia do the same.”…
New Climate Fellow aims to get churches talking about creation care
If your church’s community garden didn’t fare well in this summer’s excessive heat or flooding rains, it’s time for the congregation to talk about how to deal locally with the global climate crisis. That’s the first message from Becca Edwards,…