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Photo credit: Senate Democrats, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reached an agreement to introduce the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. $369 billion of the proposed $739 billion Act addresses energy security and climate change. Senate Democrats say the Act promises to "bring down consumer energy costs, increase American energy security, while substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The combined investments in the FY2022 Budget Reconciliation bill would put the U.S. on a path to roughly 40% emissions reduction by 2030, and would represent the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far." While climate change activists focus on measures to reduce carbon emissions but $300 billion of the Act deals with deficit reduction measures; 3 years of Affordable Care Act subsidies; prescription drug reform; and tax reform. The business-leaning National Law Review frames the Act as a "reinstatement of the full investment tax credit (ITC) rate of 30% and the production tax credit (PTC) rate of 1.5 cents per kWh (subject to inflationary adjustments) for projects on which construction begins before January 1, 2025." The conservative National Review points out that 'negotiations are likely incomplete" with Arizona senator Kyrsten Sinema and New Jersey senator Bob Menendez yet to indicate their positions on it, From Citizen Climate Lobby: Citizen Climate Lobby is strongly encouraging constituents to "ask your Democratic Reps to vote “yes” on the Senate version of budget reconciliation when it comes back to the House. We are only calling Democratic Representatives because Republican Representatives are not involved in budget reconciliation discussions. If you have a Republican Representative, you can skip ahead to the next step: spread the word." "If you live in southern Oregon please call Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley and ask that they support the budget resolution and its strong climate provisions. Senator Jeff Merkley: 202-224-3753 Senator Ron Wyden: 202-224-5244 "Please take action now! The Senate could vote on this bill with in the week! https://citizensclimatelobby.org/senate/ Then, follow the instruction to enter in your address to find your Senators. Once complete, the site will immediately follow up with a request to then call your Senators and leave a similar message. Calling is easy and powerful. It takes 1-2 minutes and you don't need to say more than you are comfortable with. You can also call our Senators directly at the numbers below, but we would prefer that you submit calls using our form so we can track how popular carbon pricing is." "I'm an Oregonian and climate change is a priority issue for me. I'm calling to urge you to support the Inflation Reduction Act and its strong climate provisions." You can learn more about the legislation on the CCL website: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/ You can also read this Politico article. After calling, please share with your friends! Thank you for advocating for our planet!

Amid all the discouraging reporting from mainstream media there are still "Signals of Hope" about climate change if you look for them: DailyClimate.org "pushes good journalism and science into public discussion and public policy on environmental health issues, including climate change." MIC.com "amplifies the stories that really matter" such as Climate Change Good News. EuroNew.green reports Positive News such as All the Positive Environmental Stories from 2022 So Far. GoodGoodGood.co reports 12 Good News Stories About Climate Change (2022) Positive.News publishes What Went Right This Week: Signs of Climate Progress. PBS NewsHour noted that over 1,900 local TV meteorologists are now regularly addressing the impacts of climate change in their weather reports due to service called Climate Matters which provides a weekly package featuring the latest vetted climate science, along with broadcast-ready graphics. Wired reports some positive news about climate change. World Wildlife Federation offers Good News About Climate Change. With and investment of $1.1 billion from John and Ann Doerr, along with gifts from other philanthropists Stanford University will launch a new School of Sustainability in September 2022. In 2021, with almost $2.5 billion in new pledged support, Climate Investment Funds launched two major new programs: Accelerating Coal Transition and Renewable Energy Integration. in 2021 President Joe Biden reintroduced the U.S.A. back into the 2015 Paris Climate accord. The Biden administration launched the National Climate Action Taskforce. Last year's $1.2 trillion infrastructure package has billions for climate tech, and new rules on offshore wind development, worker heat protection standards and vehicle fuel economy. In February 2021 Jeff Bezos committed $10 billion to address climate change. In February 2021 Bill Gates wrote How to Avoid a Climate Disaster and the Gates Foundation began funding research into various technologies that could aid in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In April 2021 Elon Musk announced he is funding a $100 million X-prize for carbon removal technology. In May 2021 shareholders of Exxon Mobil elected two board members nominated by by investors who pledged to steer the company toward cleaner energy and away from oil and gas. In 2021 at COP26 in Glasgow countries came back and made commitments to limit deforestation, methane and overseas coal finance. At COP26 144 countries made commitments to stop deforestation and $19.2 billion was pledged to that end. In 2021 155 countries submitted new NDCs; 83 countries announces net-zero targets; G7 + China committed to halt overseas finance for coal according to the World Resources Institute. In 2021 1,000+ cities committed to net zero. In 2021 2,000+ companies have set science-based targets; climate tech investments reached $43 billion. There is exponential growth in electric vehicles and transportation accounts for 24% of energy-related CO2 emissions. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought us closer to understanding the impact of zoonotic spillover caused by deforestation, wildlife trade and population growth and there is a shift from reaction to prevention. Frontline communities, particularly in lower income countries and among BIPOC people most effected by climate change, are increasingly raising their voices about climate justice and taking local actions. There is a shift in framing the problem not just about carbon but on loss, damage and people.

Watch a sample Blessed Tomorrow Ambassador Training on YouTube July 26, 2022 - Join Order of the Sacred Earth at 4 p.m. PDT for their monthly OSE Council Meeting exploring regenerative networks while learning ways to participate within the OSE network and beyond. This week Tom Watson will explore Hylo, "an online community platform for people on a mission. Hylo allows community members to collaborate locally within a global network. and is designed to support collaboration, resource sharing, and direct actions within and between communities." To join the OSE group on Hylo click here. July 27, 2022 - SOCAN Monthly Meeting – Hydrogen: Useful Tool or Fossil Industry Ruse? at 6 p.m.PDT. Registration: bit.ly/SOCAN-Hydrogen July 27, 2022 - from Richenda Fairhurst: The Price of Water: Sustainable Solutions Through Advocacy, from Cornel University, moderated by Food and Water Watch. 10 a.m. PDT Register and more info here. July 27, 2022 - from Richenda Fairhurst: The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement's liturgy is set for publication soon, alongside a July 27 opportunity to share worship planning in community July 28, 2022 - Join the Sierra Club and partners at 4 p.m. PT for a zoom webinar entitled Save the Planet: Focus on the 2023 Farm Bill. Click Here to Register August - From Richenda Fairhurst: How to start a Climate Cafe in your church, faith community, local community, or organization. Jess Pepper, founder of the Climate Cafe Network, will be on Multifaith Climate Cafe.. Date to be announced. September 1, 2022 - from Richenda Fairhurst: The Season of Creation comprises 5 Sundays, and for 2022 starts on September 1st. The Season began as an Eastern Orthodox day of prayer and has become an ecumenical effort of the World Council of Churches to bring a full season of liturgy that honors the creation to the church . September 13, 2022- Multifaith Climate Cafe. will host a conversation about water with a water scientist at the USGS, more details upcoming. 11:00 a.m. PT. Register here October 4, 2022 - Multifaith Climate Cafe. welcomes an International Human Rights Attorney to speak to the impact of climate change on women and social stability globally, more details upcoming. at 11:00 a.m. PT. Register here.. Anytime - Become a certified Blessed Tomorrow Climate Ambassador, The free, four-hour, on-demand training and resources will empower and equip you to inspire clergy, congregants, your workplace, community and policymakers to action on climate change that makes a difference. Click here to Register

On September 17, 2018 Medford Congregational United Church of Christ made application to become a Creation Justice Church. They outlined the context and drafted a Creation Justice Covenant: Creation Justice Church Context for Medford United Church of Christ "As we write this application to become a UCC Creation Justice Church, the members of our church community have been living inside a thick haze of wildfire smoke through most of the summer. Our county and the surrounding counties are filled with some 40 fires that started in July and more that started in August from lightning strikes and human causes. We listen every night to the fire report on the local news to learn what areas have been issued evacuation notices and the air quality alerts. During the day, we hear helicopters and airplanes flying overhead carrying water and retardant to fight the fires. Our condition stems directly from climate change. Fire season in Southern Oregon has been starting earlier and earlier and lasting longer and longer year by year. Winters bring us less rain and reduced snowpack which creates summer drought conditions, diminished water supplies, hot dry weather, warming temperatures in our creeks and rivers, and impacts on wildlife, including our iconic species of salmon. Other impacts: Ranchers and native tribes all depend on water levels for irrigation and traditional salmon catches, which results in ongoing fights over water rights. Illness increases from air pollution among vulnerable populations. Cooling centers for homeless population in summer are as important as warming centers in winter. Police do crackdowns on our creekside greenway to empty homeless camps where several fires have started. Economic impacts from smoke on our economy include downtown businesses, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Britt outdoor concert venue, Rogue River sports, hiking, camping, and fishing. Dry conditions increase disease in forest trees, forest fuels, and dry soils. Over 10 have died this summer from fire including a homeless man living on Bear Creek Greenway, residents in Northern California, and several firefighters. Climate change and environmental impacts have become a daily challenge to the entire population of Southern Oregon. Our faith requires us to pay attention and act together for creation justice." Creation Justice Covenant "We the members of the Medford Congregational United Church of Christ affirm our connections to God, each other, and the world around us. We all depend on our earthly home, yet there is an injustice in the distribution of environmental burdens and benefits. We commit ourselves to confront the human abuses of creation which increasingly cause human and other living species to suffer and many to die. We pledge to stay awake and aware of our responsibilities as God’s stewards of Earth and to act in ways that protect and respect it. Therefore, with God’s help as individuals and as a congregation, we enter this Creation Justice Covenant." A Green Team may be formed in a church congregation as part of becoming a Creation Justice Church or simply because there is a core group concerned about how to best care for God’s creation. The United Church of Christ offers Five Tips for Starting Green Teams in Congregations: Find Co-Conspirators - Find kindred spirits who show a noticeable passion for the environment. Discern "the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." ~ Frederick Buechner Make Creation Justice Part of Your Church’s DNA - the goal is for every committee and ministry to have caught the environmental bug so that they are taking actions to care for creation.. Focus on Sending Your Ripples Outward. God calls us to the larger world beyond the walls of the church. Research local and regional environmental injustices. Give attention to socioeconomic factors such as race and class. Once you have done your research, discern how you can make a difference. Discern what organization would be your best partner in making a difference.- local environmental justice organizations that can connect congregations to nearby struggles led by those most affected by environmental harms. Rev. Kate Mosley of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light also has an informative YouTube video on How to Start a Green Team in Your Church. Green Teams frequently focus on making changes to church buildings and ground to make them more energy efficient or on changes that individual congregants can make in their personal lives such as recycling plastics, changing light bulbs, etc. However, we are reminded that the notion of "carbon footprint" was promoted by the fossil fuel industry to intentionally shift responsibility from corporations to individuals. Less frequently do green teams focus on directly confronting the systems that support the fossil fuel industry most responsible for causing our impending global climate crisis. Climate justice also requires that the church give voice and support to those most affected climate change. In 2015 the UCC Council for Climate Justice resolved to: "go beyond a focus on individual behaviors to collectively address institutions and systems—ie., the oil industry; to develop a pervasive prophetic culture within the Church, advancing a perspective rooted in progressive theology and scientific understandings to address the root causes of climate-related pollution as it relates to factors such as race, class, and global inequality." The UCC Council for Climate Justice does their work by: "sharing best practices for educating and organizing congregants, cultivating collaborative endeavors with ecumenical, interfaith, and secular partners; and articulating the values that motivate people of faith to action through the framework of the UCC’s Three Great Loves initiative which lifts up Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation. In partnership with Blessed Tomorrow, the UCC produced Three Great Loves and Climate Action: A Guide to Getting Started. "This guide focuses engaging one’s congregation and community in responsible energy use and just environmental practices, so that our children, our neighbors, and all of creation might thrive more fully. Download the PDF to learn more about how churches can turn love into action. Engage Congregants: Create a Green Team. Incorporate creation care into worship through prayers, liturgy, sermons, hymns. Educate your congregation about the sources of local energy and whether pollution from those sources has a disproportionate racial or economic impact on particular communities. Highlight benefits of your Green Team activities (e.g. utility bill savings) in your newsletter. Put creation care on your church home page. Engage Other Congregations: Encourage other congregations to join you in caring for creation. Share ideas and resources. Engage Our Community: Host a community presentation to inspire others. Participate in a community solar program. Create a community garden/host a community dinner. Collaborate with other ecumenical partners and faith traditions to share information and best practices. Engage Society: Let our elected officials know you want policies that expand your clean energy choices. Encourage members to take the Creation Care Voter Pledge so that they consistently vote and prioritize caring for creation. Write letters, op eds, engage in social media. There are a number of ways to connect with the broader movement for change Join forces with environmental groups like GreenFaith, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Sierra Club, the Sunrise Movement, or 350.org. Other UCC Resources: How It Works: The UCC’s Creation Justice Churches Program Sign up for The Pollinator: (the UCC’s Environmental Justice blog) Follow Brooks Berndt, the UCC’s Environmental Justice Minister Sign up for monthly Creation Justice webinars Ideas, Tools, and Messages: Blessed Tomorrow Interfaith Power and Light: network of people of faith Carbon Neutral Web Resources for Congregations Energy Efficiency Tools and Initiatives: EPA Energy Star Program In 2020 Brooks Berndt published Ten Ways to Mobilize. We are living in a Kairos moment in world history. calling the church to action for 10-Years of Church Mobilization on Climate and Inequality.

Join the Sierra Club and partners for a zoom webinar next Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 4 p.m. PT entitled Save the Planet: Focus on the 2023 Farm Bill. Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_9FRzfMoOSoCsbCXTxSt3jA "The Farm Bill impacts almost every facet of the nation’s resources and operations, including food, water, air, public health, national security, the US economy, its workforce, the agricultural sector, and the lives of farmers and farmworkers—those who are the backbone of the industry. " KisstheGround.com says "The Farm Bill at present prioritizes conventional agriculture models first set in motion in the 1930s, allocating only 1% of the budget for educational, renewable, and regenerative solutions." "With a $428 billion 6-year budget, the 2023 requested budget summary requested only $21 million to support key climate priorities within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (this includes the only mention of establishing soil health)." The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition explains: What the Farm Bill covers Who in Congress writes it How much the Farm Bill costs How the Farm Bill process works

The Unitarian Universalist's General Assembly 2022 in Portland, OR included a workshop entitled "Ecological Civilization: Earth, Religion and the Human Future," organized by UUs for a Just Economic Community, UU Ministry For Earth, and Cedars UU Church, in Bainbridge, WA.. The talk in June 2022 by David Korten,, now found here on YouTube, calls for systemic changes to address our ecological and climate crisis. He advocates that we: "embrace our crisis as an epic opportunity to actualize our human potential and desire to love and care for one another and the earth relieve ourselves from forms of consumption that are ultimately self-destructive rely on circular local supply chains rather than long, linear supply chains that best serve corporate interests rethink the three P's: purpose, power and procreation provide all people with material sufficiency and a spiritually abundant life experience support the well-being, beauty, regenerative health of and creative unfolding of living earth's community of life refocus power to reside in communities of place that empower people to fulfill their responsibilities to and for themselves, one another and the earth support life's continuous, regenerative procreation care for the living systems by which earth regenerates air, water, and soils while maintaining climate stability manage our human numbers and distribution by assuring that every child is a wanted child who receives the essential support of a loving family and community" "We can choose with conscious, collective intention our culture, our institutions, our technology and our infrastructure. Can we do it with the required speed? We will know only if we try." Check out the workshop's Discussion Guide for Reflection and Conversation.

In 2018 the Institute for the Future (IFTF) and Climate Investment Funds (CIF) joined forces to forecast new trends, barriers, and actors in climate change. This study was launched at the Global Climate Action Summit held in San Francisco as A New Story to Spark the Future of Climate Action The study identified opportunity zones for climate action over the next decade —including artificial intelligence, digital engagement, youth movements, and the new climate economy - that can accelerate progress toward a low-carbon world. The joint study forecasts trends that will mold the climate action landscape by 2030. Their analysis concludes, among other things, that disruptive technologies like blockchain and the rise of “solastalgia,” (the wistfulness one feels about terrains lost to climate change), will be increasingly powerful drivers of global and community-level change. “The problems of climate change may seem intractable, yet there are areas where constructive action is not only possible, but already happening, We’ve identified numerous signals that positive change are happening now—from an increase in women leaders who are more likely to take action on climate change, to the use of ‘good bots’ to initiate climate action globally.” ~ Marina Gorbis, executive director of IFTF IFTF’s climate action framework is designed to stimulate thought and action on climate issues by describing hopeful signs of change happening now, asking provocative questions, pointing out areas of friction and providing positive scenarios for the future for stakeholders to consider as they ponder the actions they might want to take. According to the report, governments, manufacturers, investors, and individuals can accelerate climate action in a variety of ways, including: Understanding that climate change is an economic opportunity. Climate action has investment potential in the trillions of dollars, and the ability to ramp up innovation, clean industries, and green jobs. Turning to women as climate leaders. Women are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change, but if fully empowered, they can be effective climate advocates as policymakers and community leaders. Deploying bots as a force for good. Internet bots, a technology better known for dividing public opinion, have the potential to spur climate activism at scale. Download the full map and read the new framework here.

From Imogene Drummond via Facebook: The International-Big History-Association is hosting a free zoom webinar on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 9 a.m. PT on The Big History of Consciousness with Carl Calleman, a doctor of physical biology from the University of Stockholm. Click here to register. "What is consciousness and what is its role in the large scale evolutionary history of the universe that we call Big History? In this webinar Carl Calleman will argue that if we shift our perspective to be based on the evolution of consciousness, "Big History" can become a powerful discipline that will contribute significant results to our understanding of the universe and the “big” questions of what its purpose may be." "Members of the IBHA are committed to the widest possible availability of this presentation; it is open at no cost to all over Zoom. To support the programing of the IBHA and participate in our association, please consider joining and in making a donation." #Consciousness #BigHistory #QuantumTheory #evolution

July 12, 2022 - from Richenda Fairhurst Climate Cafe Multifaith: From the UK we welcome Melanie Nazareth with Christian Climate Action, the Christian group with Extinction Rebellion. Christian Climate Action as an Extinction Rebellion. July 12th,11:00am Pacific Time / 2:00pm Eastern Time. To Register click here July 12, 2022 - CCL Training: Preventing Burnout as a Climate Advocate. Climate work can be emotionally challenging and overwhelming. This training is an opportunity to recognize and make space for the fullness of your experience through connecting with others, sharing authentically, listening deeply, and exploring opportunities for building personal resilience. To register click here. July 13, 2022 - Third Act All-In Call We'll hear from Heather Booth, a lifelong organizer and one of our earliest advisors who is profiled in the current HBO special The Janes for her work for reproductive choice. We'll hear from Akaya Windwood about effective eldering. Bill McKibben and the team will share new tools to expand our Banking on our Future Pledge. To register click here. July 13, 2022 - Ashland Climate Collaborative presents Renewable Natural Gas: NOT a Path to Cleaner Energy. Panelists: Brian Stewart, Electrify Now; Melanie Plaut, M.D., Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility; and Kiki Velez, NRC Building Decarbonization Fellow. On Zoom 7-8:30 p.m. To register click here. July 14, 2022 - CCL Training: Trees and Forests as Natural Climate Solutions — Join Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator, for a training about removing and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, the role trees and forests can play, and the other benefits that those solutions provide. To register click here. July 19, 2022 - from Richenda Fairhurst: Social Transformation & the Climate Crisis: A Bahá’í View. Led by Gary Reusche--living currently in Kviv, Ukraine--we will dive into truth-telling about a world experiencing multiple crises. Reusche brings his experience at the center of agriculture, finance, climate change, and now the war in Ukraine, to talk about what social transformation could look like. July 19th,11:00am Pacific Time / 2:00pm Eastern Time. To register click here. July 26, 2022 - Summer Arts Series 2022: Listening to the World’s Edge: A Panel on Climate Change, Adaptation, and the Arts. In this panel discussion, The BTS Center will welcome the contributions of four individuals who are deeply engaged in climate justice work — through music, visual art, climate research, and education. Join what promises to be a rich conversation about adaptation, artistic process, and the beauty of our climate-changed world. 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Online ($10) For more information and to register, To register click here August 2022 - from Richenda Fairhurst: Start a Climate Cafe! We host Scotland's Jess Pepper, founder and organizer of the Climate Cafe network (date to be announced). We will have information about Climate Cafes, how to start one (easy) and how to connect with others. (This will be our only Cafe for August. Cafe's will resume with a conversation about water, reservoirs & drought in the American Southwest (and more) on September 13th. Details upcoming.) September 1- October 4, 2022 - Celebrated by more than two billion Christians around the world, Creation Season begins with the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation on September 1, and concludes with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, on October 4. How will your congregation mark Creation Season this year? To spark your thinking, consider the theme of the 2022 Season of Creation: “Listen to the Voice of Creation.” Its logo is the burning bush, which symbolizes both the devastating fires of climate crisis and the divine fire of the Holy Spirit. The fire that called to Moses affirmed that God heard the cries of all who suffered and would be with us as we followed in faith to our deliverance from injustice. Check Seasonofcreation.org to find downloadable resources for organizing events, leading liturgy, advocacy campaigns/asks, and more. September 15, 2022 - Preaching Climate Justice: A Conversation with Jim Antal and Margaret Bullitt-Jonas. Join a lively presentation by two religious leaders who are committed to encouraging climate preaching that is both pastoral and prophetic. There will be ample time for questions and conversation, as well as suggestions for how to preach on some of the texts assigned for upcoming Sundays in Creation Season. Participants are encouraged to read Bullitt-Jonas’ article, “Preaching When Life Depends on It: Climate Crisis and Gospel Hope” (Anglican Theological Review, Spring 2021) and Antal’s chapter, “Prophetic Preaching: Freeing the Pulpit from Fear,” in his book, Climate Church, Climate World. This event is open at no charge to all preachers, lay and ordained. 7:00-8:15 a.m. PT. Online (free) For more information and to register, click here. October 2-9, 2022 - Rev. Margaret will lead an online retreat on Saturday morning October 1st. Greenfaith International Network invites people of faith worldwide to plan actions from Sunday, October 2 through Sunday, October 9, which support addressing the climate crisis. Faiths 4 Climate Justice will lift up our moral values of reverence, justice, and compassion, and call upon our leaders to safeguard our future. The ten demands are listed here. For inspiration, watch the wrap-up video for Greenfaith’s recent event, Sacred People, Sacred Earth. Available anytime - Christians and Climate Change with Bill McKibben. In this new online course offered by ChurchNext, Bill McKibben shows us that we still have time to take climate action -- but not as much time as we once had, and not as completely as we once might have been able to manage. Bill's main messages: we need to act now, and we need to act in groups. Fortunately, faith communities are good at group activities and maintaining hope against the odds. Online ($10). For more information and to register, click here.

From June 13-15, 2022 Creation Justice Ministries hosted “Pastoral Care for Climate: Weaving Science, Theology, and Justice” at Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC. "Over 40 ministry leaders, theologians, and scientists came together to discuss the connection between science and theology for justice! Throughout the three days, attendees engaged in worship, outings, and deep, transformative conversation with each other around faith, science, justice, and the climate crisis. Their partners and sponsors include: Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke, Duke Divinity School, The BTS Center & Ormond Center!" On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3 p.m. PT Creation Justice Ministries will be having a zoom webinar: Protecting Our Democracy in 2022 . Join as a panel discusses "How Our Democratic Values Are At Risk Today" across the country with examples from Georgia, Michigan, and Texas. They'll share why and how people of faith and conscience can respond. To register click here. Guests: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, Sojourners Gayla Tillman, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light Leah Wiste, MI Interfaith Power & Light Bee Moorhead, Texas Impact Madison Mayhew, Interfaith Power & Light On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 3 p.m. PT Creation Justice Ministries will be having a zoom webinar: Building Community Climate Resilience: The Role of Faith Communities in Addressing Natural Hazards. Come gather ideas with Dr. Dawn Baldwin Gibson and Dr. Christy Miller Hesed on how your faith community can collaborate with others to build resilience! To register click here.

In February 2021, the Institute For The Future (IFTF) Vantage hosted a virtual public convening of climate experts as part of their annual research process. The above YouTube video of the keynote session with IFTF Distinguished Fellow Jamais Cascio explores the kinds of revolutionary changes needed over the next twenty-eight years to create a truly climate-positive future. Portions of IFTF Vantage's annual Map of the Decade research are made public one year after sharing it with their paying organizations partners so we can anticipate Building Climate-Positive Organizations will be released to the public in Summer 2022. The climate crisis will be perhaps the most critical force of the next several decades — and the decisions we make in the 2020s will be essential to our ability to shape our long-term future. The climate crisis demands that we act with urgency in a time of unprecedented challenge and complexity, and it means we must think in a longer-term timeframe than we usually do. ~ IFTF

Image from James Webb telescope - NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI The James Webb Space Telescope "will solve mysteries in our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it." Ions is offering until Friday July 22, 2022 a free replay of their video webinar Apollo 14 at 50: Celebrating Edgar Mitchell’s Epiphany, the Overview Effect, and the Mission of IONS Normally only available to IONS Members, they're making this webinar replay available to all for one week. No password required! Click to Watch the Video. "This special ConnectIONS Live webinar was held February 5, 2021 celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 14 Mission to the Moon. It was this very experience that sparked a life-changing epiphany for Captain Edgar Mitchell, and inspired his founding of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Our gathering featured thought leaders, scientists, and IONS champions who reflected on the profound legacy of Edgar’s epiphany and how it continues today — driving an expansion of consciousness around the world."

"We need to write a new narrative of climate change action. A narrative that compels, empowers, and attracts people across industries and geographies to think of climate change not as an intractable problem, but as a space for innovative solutions." ~The Institute For The Future In the Institute for the Future's New Story to Spark the Future of Climate Action they identify emerging "Zones of Opportunity" (levers) that open "new possibility spaces for reframing the narrative around climate change and accelerating climate action: Activated Youth Women as Climate Action Leaders Organizing Without Organizations Climate as a Growth Space Algorithmic Action Watchful Eyes Immersive News Media for Good" .The New Story "poses provocative questions to stimulate ideas for altering power dynamics rather than focusing on current prevention, mitigation, and adaptation efforts, and it predicts the frictions we may encounter as we work to advance climate action: Legacy Energy, Short-termism; Rise in Disposable Incomes; Attention Scarcity; Fact Resistance: and Protectionism." I have been impressed by the young women climate action leaders" at Rogue Climate and their activating youth as local "signals of hope" Rogue Climate is a non-profit founded in 2013 in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon with a mission "to empower Southern Oregon communities most impacted by climate change, including low-income, rural, youth, seniors, and communities of color, to win climate justice by organizing for clean energy, sustainable jobs, and a healthy environment." This sounds very much like "a new story to spark the future of climate action. Our climate emergency is a justice/moral issue about people and all living things; it's not just about physics. The Climate Crisis is not a science problem. It is a human problem. The ultimate power to change the world does not reside in technologies. It relies on reverence, respect, and compassion - for ourselves, for all people, and for all live. This is regeneration. ~ Paul Hawken Rogue Climate was instrumental in bringing communities together to stop the proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal in Coos Bay. They also participated in MRG Foundation's Rogue Valley Relief Fund along with Siskiyou Rising Tide, Rogue Action Center and SO Health-E, bringing relief to those impacted by the Almeda, South Obenchain, and Slater fires in 2020, .

Creation In Crisis is presenting Rev. Michael Dowd on July 7, 2022 at 1 p.m. PT, speaking on The Big Picture: What Every Earth Activist Needs to Know. REGISTER HERE He will be presening a second half of his talk on August 4, 2022  "What elements of “eco-mysticism” are most vital and which aspects of The Great Story are most relevant for staying sane, grateful, and on-purpose in these most challenging of times? And what special tools and gifts do those of us grounded in the Epic of Evolution and Creation Spirituality have to offer?" "Creation in Crisis gathers online on the first Thursday of each month "to consider the work and ideas of a notable presenter on themes of eco-justice, spirituality, sustainability, and adaptation to the consequences of rampant industrial development. TWO VIDEOS YOU MAY WANT TO WATCH For those wishing to prepare for this session, Michael considers these to be his two best short supportive videos... Beyond Hope and Fear: Clarity, Compassion, Courageous Love-in-Action New Serenity Prayer: Emotional Support for Climate Anxiety and Environmental Dread Rev. Michael Dowd was once called "America's Evolutionary Evangelist." His mission now is to convey an inspiring "deep-time" understanding of our place in the Universe, based entirely on the evidential resources of mainstream science. He is an "eco-theologian and pro-science, pro-future advocate" whose 2009 book, Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World, "was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum." Interestingly, Dowd now disavows that book because it portrayal is too optimistic and unrealistic. In 2014 he "came out" as "Rev. Reality" after being convinced of Overshoot: The Ecological Basis of Revolutionary Change.(1980). Watching the 2012 TEDx talk by David Roberts Climate Change is Simple was a turning point in his thinking. He has also conducted three online conversation series: The Advent of Evolutionary Christianity (2011): The Future Is Calling Us to Greatness (2015) Post-doom: Conversations exploring overshoot grief, grounding, and gratitude (2019-present) Dowd's current passion is "sharing a hope-free message (beyond hopeful or hopeless) of inspiration grounded in Big Picture evidential mysticism and Love-in-Action." His main website is https://postdoom.com. Rev. Dowd is controversial because of his views: i.e. his definition of God ("Reality with a personality" - not a person outside of reality); a "kin-centric" worldview; "Living, Nested Primary Reality"; Sustainability = Faithful; Life Centered, not human centered; Overshoot; criticism of "hopium addiction"; and the inevitability of civilization collapse. Critics say Rev. Michael Dowd "brings a progressive Christian spin to apocalyptic environmentalism," and ponder if he is perhaps best seen as a "Death-cult Environmentalist?" Dowd doesn't actually call himself a "Progressive Christian," but rather" an evolutionary ,Christian Naturalist, saying "I have no supernatural beliefs or other worldly beliefs at all, zip, nada, not one. I’m a Christian Naturalist.." Rev. Dowd delivers his polished messages reading from well scripted PowerPoints. He has the unwavering assurance and power of an experienced evangelistic speaker, leaving his audience with provocative doubts about the validity of their climate activism.

The July Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) general meeting scheduled for Tuesday July 26, 2022 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. will be dedicated to a discussion of the role hydrogen might pay in our energy future: Hydrogen: Useful Tool, or Fossil Industry Ruse? There is no charge for joining the ZOOM meeting, but to attend those interested must register at the link on the SOCAN calendar event: https://socan.eco/hydrogen. "What’s the deal with Hydrogen? We know we need to break our fossil fuel habit. But how do we do it? The answer seems to be renewable energy such as wind, water, and solar. There are two important challenges with renewables: how to store the energy when they aren’t available and how to use them in hard-to-electrify applications. A growing chorus is rising for using Hydrogen to meet those challenges. When we burn fossil fuels, greenhouse gases are released. Burning hydrogen, on the other hand, produces only pure water. In a world suffering the existential threat of a climate crisis induced by our use of fossil fuels, hydrogen is increasingly considered to have a valuable role to play." Renewable Hydrogen Alliance founder and former executive director Ken Dragoon, now with Obsidian Renewables LLC., will outline the many colors of hydrogen and its role in addressing the growing climate crisis. He will welcome all questions and concerns. For more information contact: Alan Journet, Co-facilitator, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN); alan@socan.eco 541-301-4107 Ken Dragoon, Director of Hydrogen Development, Obsidian Renewables, LLC; 503-545-8172 kdragoon@obsidianrenewables.com

Deep Adaptation "is a concept, agenda, and international social movement." The concept of Deep Adaptation was introduced in the 2018 paper "Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy" by University of Cumbria sustainability leadership professor Jem Bendell. It was updated in July 2020. "The conceptual paper was originally intended for an audience of people in the corporate sustainability field. The purpose was to provide readers with an opportunity to reassess their work and life in the face of what Bendell believes to be an inevitable near-term societal collapse due to climate change." In July 2021 the book Deep Adaptation was published with Rupert Reed co-editor.. On March 22, 2022 Jem Bendell, wrote in Resilience.org Toward Radical Responses to Polycrisis: a Review of Reviews of the Deep Adaptation Book. Find out more at Jem Bendell's blog "Deep Adaption presumes that extreme weather events and other effects of climate change will increasingly disrupt food, water, shelter, power, and social and governmental systems. These disruptions would likely or inevitably cause uneven societal collapse in the next few decades." "Climate change is not just a pollution problem, but an indicator of how our human psyche and culture became divorced from our natural habitat." "The word “deep” indicates that strong measures are required to adapt to an unraveling of western industrial lifestyles. The agenda includes values of nonviolence, compassion, curiosity, and respect, and a framework for constructive action." Bendell focuses on relinquishment, resilience, reconciliation and reconciliation, but others have added reverence. The R's ask us: Reverence: In what ways can we recognize and reclaim Reverence as a primary and trustworthy source of guidance? Relinquishment: Where in our lives can we give up certain assets, behaviors and beliefs in order to not make matters worse, or even to feel more free? Resilience: As changes increase or grow more severe, in what ways can we adapt then adapt aging... and again? Resilience = Applied Reverence Reconciliation: As part of the cause and the solution, with whom and what can I make peace to lessen suffering and live more livingly? Restoration: What traditional or ancient wisdom can we bring back (restore) to help us with the coming difficulties and tragedies? Project Adapt is a "collaboration of concerned individuals and organizations committed to interdisciplinary, relational ways of belonging. Project Adapt prepares local communities to become "centers of connected resilience" by embracing reverence for Earth, tending relationships and co-creating just, joyful and regenerative ways of being on the planet." . Lauren Van Ham, Climate Action Coordinator for United Religions Initiative (URI) also organizes Adaptive Circles as part of Project Adapt, which is a non-profit program of Canticle Farm in Oakland, CA.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. PDT Climate Cafe Multifaith is hosting a conversation about Food Justice and the Faith Community featuring Kelly Moltzen co-founder and convener of the Interfaith Public Health Network. Register. Interfaith Public Health Network (IPHN) was part of the inaugural planning team for the Faith + Food Coalition Food Systems Dialogues alongside the Center for Earth Ethics. Upcoming in July from Climate Cafe Multifaith: July 5, 2022 - Green Teams in Faith Communities: Building youth & BIPOC leadership & partnerships. Led by William H. Morris, now a Faith Organizer with GreenFaith working with the #PeopleVsFossilFuels Campaign. Tuesday July 5th, 11 a.m. PDT Register. July 19, 2022 - Social Transformation & the Climate Crisis: A Bahá’í View. Led by Gary Reusche--living currently in Kviv, Ukraine--we will dive into truth-telling about a world experiencing multiple crises. Reusche brings his experience at the center of agriculture, finance, climate change, and now the war in Ukraine, to talk about what social transformation could look like. July 19th at 11 a.m PDT. Register. The Climate Cafe movement started in 2015 in rural Scotland and is community led. Now sister Cafés are emerging around the world. Here you can learn about Climate Cafés, connect with others, find out how they work, as well as find support and guidance to start your own. Climate Cafe Multifaith is organized by Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, former minister at First United Methodist Church in Ashland, OR, who blogs about climate activism at Faiths4Future. This Multifaith community "began as an effort of faith leaders, clergy, lay people, leaders of different faith traditions, who recognized the urgency that we face, the impact that urgency will have or our communities, and the necessity of taking action at all levels. Many of who are part of Faiths4Future were trained by the Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps, and the Minister’s Trainings led by the Center for Earth Ethics." Climate Cafe MultiFaith is held on zoom every 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesday of the month, at 11 a.m. PDT. "It is an opportunity for faith leaders and clergy to get together to share experiences, and engage a discussion, with a short presentation & Q&A, around the subject of climate change, climate effects and climate solutions—hope!" Resources Richenda Fairhurst's Faith4Future offers good resources, timely boosts of important information and you may sign up for Richenda's newsletter here. Richenda Is Chair of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Creation Justice Committee and is affiliated with Interfaith Power and Light. Richenda also founded Creation Faith Future, a non-profit operating in Oregon and Washington states. “People of faith have a vital role to play as truth-tellers and hope bringers in addressing the climate crisis.” ~ Rev. Richenda Fairhurst

The Tuesday, June 28, 2022 monthly meeting of SOCAN from 6-7 p.m. will include a presentation by Cherice Bock, Creation Justice Advocate, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Oregon Interfaith Power & Light on Interfaith Work on Climate Change. "All over the country, faith communities are increasingly getting involved in climate action. These efforts are varied, ranging from concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to providing support to frontline communities, framed from an ethical or spiritual perspective." Hear an overview of faith-based climate action underway in Oregon and elsewhere and discuss how Southern Oregon climate activists may help stimulate additional faith-based action in our region. There is no charge for joining the ZOOM meeting, but registration is required. Details, including registration - SOCAN Calendar

The annual General Assembly meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations is from June 21-26, 2022 in Portland Oregon. UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) will have several projects at the GA this year; click here for details. "The theme this year, “Migration is Beautiful,” highlights the essential movement and change inherent in our Web of Life, and the intersectionality of climate justice for indigenous communities, immigrants, endangered and threatened species, and land and water. The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP27, will be the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from 6 to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It will concern adaptation, mitigation, loss, and damage. Working Group II to the 6th Assessment Report of the IPCC provides a vital framing and the scientific basis for this and the following years’ adaptation agenda. As the report underlines, the window of opportunity for adaptation and mitigation action is closing rapidly which poses risks to sustainable development for all. In this context, Parties called for urgent action on and support for adaptation and the transition to a decade of implementation. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report assesses the impacts of climate change, looking at ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global and regional levels. It also reviews vulnerabilities and the capacities and limits of the natural world and human societies to adapt to climate change