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Jefferson Center (Salon Series), SOCAN Ashland Climate Action Project, and Ashland Climate Collaborative are co-hosting a Zoom presentation/discussion on “The Future of Water in the Rogue Valley” on May 22, 2022 at 4 p.m. To join the Zoom event, please register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf-uvqDwiG9MPlpu0dtMi6CLqN6CJaB-0 "The program will feature Julie Smitherman and Cody Scoggins from Medford Water, with Joseph Graf from the Jefferson Center." "This program will address: Where does Rogue Valley water come from? How is that water being used? What threats do we face? Discussion will focus on what citizens and government agencies, especially local ones, can do to provide water in our area and distribute it fairly." "This event is part of the Salon series at The Jefferson Center, a Rogue Valley non-profit focused on critical thinking using secular humanist values to understand and engage with issues important to our community. Co-hosts for this event are the SOCAN Ashland Climate Action Project, which works to ensure that climate action is a top priority in Ashland, and the Water Action Team of the Ashland Climate Collaborative, a hub for community collaboration on climate solutions."

The Shift Network is sponsoring a free online event with Matthew Fox on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 5:30 p.m. PDT: Sacred Earth, Sacred Self: Harmonize With Nature & Reconnect to the Human Community Through the Wisdom of Eco-Prophet Thomas Berry. Register free HERE "In this free online event, you’ll: Find that when you take action to save the Earth, and connect to Source, you are taking steps to save yourself and future generations Discover humanity’s most basic flaw — and its resulting consequences Explore why embodying a sense of sacredness is a vital element of human survival — emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and environmentally Discover why academic barbarism (when the left brain devours your values by overpowering the right brain) leads to the destruction of the planet by prioritizing profits over respecting the sacredness of the Earth Experience a Tai Chi breathing and movement exercise to invite you to breathe in and embody Earth consciousness The event website is HERE

Corvallis Interfaith Climate Justice Committee (ICJC) is comprised of 10 area faith-based groups in Corvallis, Oregon including: First United Methodist Church Corvallis First Congregational UCC Corvallis Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis First United Methodist Church of Corvallis Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, Corvallis Corvallis Interfaith Climate Justice Committee has 35 individual members who have been communicating through Gourps.io since 2016 Corvallis ICJC) currently serves as the Steering Committee for the Corvalis Climate Offset Fund (CCOF). The CCOF is an official Community Project of the City of Corvallis Climate Action Advisory Board and the Imagine Corvallis Action Network. The Board oversees the implementation of the Corvallis Climate Action Plan. The Network provides a framework and integrates public-government relationships to establish and reach for the goals of the future. Brian C. Lee is the principal visionary and architect of the CCOF. Corvallis ICJC is a partner organization of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and the Corvallis Climate Action Alliance. The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition had a successful Town Hall in 2019. It has liaison with 350 Corvallis and the Eugene- Springfield Interfaith Earthkeepers.

Eugene/Springfield Interfaith Earthkeepers is a coalition of Eugene communities of faith in Eugene, Oregon who: celebrate the beauty of land, sea and sky speak up for the powerless and endangered participate in the repair and regeneration of every place activate communities of conscience to serve and keep our sacred Planet Interfaith Earthkeepers offers a website, Facebook Page, Twitter posts, monthly meetings on zoom, meeting minutes archives, news blog posts, podcasts, videos, links to related organizations, lifestyle strategies, recycling solutions, local healthy food resources, funds to offset carbon footprints and more. Representatives from member communities connect Earthkeeper work to action teams in their home faith community. Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The 13 member faith communities take turns hosting, Central Lutheran First United Methodist St. Mary's Episcopal Central Presbyterian Unitarian Universalist Resurrection Episcopal United Lutheran First Congregational UCC First Christian Eugene Friends Meeting Eugene Mennonite Unity of the Valley Westminster Presbyterian The Call: "The health of human communities is dependent upon the health of every interlocking piece of creation: the forests, plains and oceans and all the creatures that inhabit them. Let us go forward to live in right relationship with the whole of creation." Eugene also has an active 350Eugene.org group.

Brian Ettling, in his excellent blog review of Michael E. Mann's 2021 book The New Climate War: the fight to take back our planet says: "I can’t stress this enough as a climate organizer, PEOPLE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO TAKE CLIMATE ACTION." Fossil fuel companies have waged a thirty-year campaign to deflect blame and responsibility and delay action on climate change. Part of their marketing strategy has been to place inordinate emphasis on individuals making changes to their behavior rather than focusing on the producers making necessary systemic changes. "Meanwhile, they've blocked efforts to regulate or price carbon emissions, run PR campaigns aimed at discrediting viable alternatives, and have abdicated their responsibility in fixing the problem they've created." As concerned citizens we need to: Force our governments and corporations to wake up and make real change. Vote out of office those who do not support or oppose effective solutions to our climate emergency. Not allow the enormity of the challenge be so overwhelming that we don't take action Keep positive conversation going among our friends, community and institutions, stressing urgency and agency about our climate challenge Be clear about priorities and impacts of change without oversimplifying a complex situation. Tell others what they can do. Debunk the false narratives and arguments that have worked their way into the climate debate and driven a wedge between even those who support climate change solutions Inspire awe, wonder and love of nature/mother earth and responsibility to future generations Take appropriate individual actions, but not expect that they will be sufficient without systemic changes Yes, taking small, visible actions are important as they raise community awareness and conversation leading to systemic changes. An example is for faith communities in Rogue Valley to let their lawns go brown this summer in response to climate change caused drought. Brown is the New Green.

Medford Water Commission and other organizations throughout North America are observing Drinking Water Week, May 1-7, 2022. "To commemorate the week, water utilities, water organizations, government entities, environmental advocates, schools and others throughout North America and beyond are encouraging consumers to learn more about the importance of water and water infrastructure, especially in times of crisis." Medford gets its potable water from the Rogue River watershed, which include the Big Butte Springs Watershed (see map above.). Lost Creek Lake, which captures Rogue River water primarily for flood control and fish habitat, has reached 72% of capacity. This means that recent rains will allow release of sufficient cold water from the Lake to preserve fish habitat and provide drinking water to those in the service area.. Meanwhile, farms in the Rogue Valley are preparing for a very dry summer, particularly those served by the Talent Irrigation District in the Bear Creek Watershed. Emigrant Lake is only 20% full; Hyatt is 21% full; and Howard Prairie is only 15% full. At the TID Board of Directors regular board meeting held on May 3, 2022 "there was lengthy discussion on the water supply and potential start date for the irrigation season. The water supply is approximately 3,000-acre feet below where it was on this date last year. The total water supply is at 19,201-acre feet, or 17% of capacity. We currently have a little over 30 days of water in storage to deliver this summer." The extended drought in Rogue Valley, is visible evidence that the climate is changing due to global warming. This has prompted some in Ashland to propose a "brown lawn movement" When it comes to yards, green isn’t always green (for the environment). Turf grasses are the most irrigated crop in the U.S. so as the climate changes and droughts continue, brown lawns will become more common. The LA Times reported on April 22, 2022 "Southern California residents are bracing for less water and many brown lawns as drought and climate change leave a large swath of the region with a growing water shortage. In a remarkable indication of drought severity, officials with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California have declared a first-of-its-kind action limiting outdoor water use to one day a week for nearly 6 million residents." New restrictions take effect June 1, 2022. In addition to heavy water usage, lawns are also problematic for those of us concerned about mitigating global climate change because of lawn maintenance practices (usually involving use of polluting two and four stroke mower engines and the heavy use of fertilizers and chemical weed control.) But even better than allowing lawns to turn seasonally brown is the notion of replacing turf with native plants, better adapted to a warming climate. Some are even planting vegetable gardens in their front yard. There are many inspiring stories of people who believe that humans can fight climate change and help repair the world right where they live. “People need something more: To reconnect with nature and experience the sort of spiritual transcendence he feels in a forest, or on a mountain, or amid the bounty of his own yard. It’s a feeling that, for him, is akin to feeling close to God... People have to love the Earth before they save it,” So love is the key. We don’t do doomsday stuff.” ~ Bill Jacobs A No-Mow Movement is a conservation initiative intended to create a healthy and sustainable ecosystem,. There is a new Interfaith Climate Action Team forming in Rogue Valley under the leadership of Bob Morse. If you are interested in participating contact Bob at morse@mind.net The group is encouraging places of worship in the Rogue Valley take action this summer regarding lawns: "Brown is the New Green." by stopping watering and let their turf turn brown.

Oregon Humanities is sponsoring The Conversation Project "to bring people together to talk about their beliefs and experiences around timely and important issues and ideas." Their objective is to help Oregon resident learn to plant and facilitate "reflective conversations" about vital issues and questions across differences, beliefs, and backgrounds, though online and in-person training They are now accepting registration for in-person trainings in June and August and an online training in October 2022. Read more. To partner with Oregon Humanities and host a Conversation Project an organization or groups first takes a look at their catalog, then applies to host up to three events at a time. They’ll notify you of approval within two weeks. Apply Now Their Conversation Catalog lists The Meaning of Climate Change with David Osborn Portland State University instructor will lead a discussion exploring different meanings of climate change and how our understanding of meaning relates to action. "We live in a time of tremendous transformation as the reality of climate change and its effects on our communities become more apparent with every passing year. While there is still much that can and must be done to mitigate the range of impacts climate change might have, we are confronting the certainty of a crisis that will continue to unfold no matter what we do. What is the meaning of this extraordinary moment in human history? The meanings we construct about climate change affect how we think about it, our feelings about it, and our willingness to take action. ~ David Osborn" David Osborn is interested in "how we construct meaning in relationship to ecological and social crises as well as how we might apply wisdom traditions and contemplative practices to further community-based social change."

Join Joanna Macy, author of Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in Without Going Crazy (to be released June 12, 2022) and Jonathan Gustin, founder of Purpose Guides Institute for a live, free* Video-Zoom gathering on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. PDT. Click here to Register. Note: this event has been rescheduled twice from May as first Jonathan and then Joanna contracted Covid-19. Both are now reportedly recovering well now.. "A powerful and unlikely spiritual teacher has arrived, sweeping everyone into the shadows of its cloak. This teacher has begun to interrupt life as we know it, showing us the impermanence and fragility of our lifestyle and our way of seeing the world. This teacher goes by the name of Climate Change." "You are invited to join in imagining a new future together. In this special gathering you will discover your authentic place in the world and prepare to offer your soul-level purpose as a gift of service to life in this time." Tentative Schedule for Tuesday June 14, 2022 (Times are in PDT) 12:00-12:15 Talk Part 1- Climate Change as Spiritual Practice 12:15 - 1:00 Grief Council - Meeting our Climate Change Fears Together 1:00 - 1:10 Talk Part 2 - From Disheartenment to Empowerment 1:10 - 1:40 Personal Action Exploration: A Guided Soul-Inquiry Meditation 1:40 - 2:00 Collective Action Debrief - Share What You are Called to Do BONUS - Register Now And Receive Up To 5 Free E-Books On Climate Change! Joanna Macy, PH.D, is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. A respected voice in the movements for peace, justice, and ecology, she interweaves her scholarship with five decades of activism. The author of more than twelve books, including Active Hope and Coming Back To Life. She is the root teacher of the Work That Reconnects. She is 93. Jonathan Gustin, M.A, MFT, is a purpose guide, psychotherapist, and meditation teacher in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 27 years. Jonathan is the founder and lead teacher of the Purpose Guides Institute and Green Sangha. He has taught purpose discovery at San Quentin Prison and also serves as adjunct faculty at John F. Kennedy University. *NOTE: Registration for the gathering is free, but the organizer will request a $20 donation request at the conclusion of the event for those who are able to contribute. Jonathan and Joanna are doing this event on a gift basis.

Loretta J. Ross wants to build a world that "invites people in instead of pushing them out." Instead of being angry at those with whom one disagrees and treating them as an enemy, seek to become friends with those who are open to agree. In other words, don't criticize, villify and attack, as many politicians do, but offer an alternative worldview based on shared values. This is not easy and I often fail, but it seems like a better way to build a positive social movement. Jonathan Haidt in his book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion references Dale Carnegie and his classic book How to Win Friends and Influence People: "Carnegie repeatedly urged readers to avoid direct confrontations. Instead he advised people to " begin in a "friendly way," to smile," to"be a good listener," and to never say "you're wrong. The persuader's goal should be to convey respect, warmth, and openness to dialogue before starting one's own case. Calling out or "cancel culture" presumes that if someone had done something wrong they should be held accountable and punished for it. But blaming and shaming just invites others to a fight, not a conversation, because you are publicly humiliating them. We are encourage to be brave and speak truth to power. If something feels unfair should be be silent or speak out? "A call-in is a call-out done with love. If you calmly respond "that's an interesting viewpoint, tell me more" you've invited them into a conversation instead of a fight. Doing so reaffirms your optimism and hope that you can make a difference in the world. “Fighting hate should be fun, It’s being a hater that sucks.” ~ Loretta J. Ross Note: TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy.

PBS FRONTLINE examines the fossil fuel industry’s history of casting doubt and delaying action on climate change. This three-part series traces decades of missed opportunities and the ongoing attempts to hold Big Oil to account. "The docuseries traces that history across 40 years and multiple presidential administrations, investigating the lengths to which the industry went to cast doubt on the science, influence public perception and block action from the 1980s to the present day." Part 1 Denial aired April 19, 2022 find on the Frontline YouTube channel Part 2 Doubt aired April 26, 2022 Michael MacCracken, A Government Scientist Warned About Climate Change in 2001. Exxon Mobil Sought to Have Him Removed. Part 3 Delay aires May 3, 2022 at 10 p.m. on Southern Oregon PBS

The next Creation Justice webinar on May 11, 2022 at 10 a.m. PDT is entitled Climate Migration: Responding with Faith, Care, and Equity. Register now! "According to a recent UN climate report, 20 million people have been displaced each year since 2008 due to extreme weather that is often exacerbated by the climate crisis. There is much we can do as people of faith in responding with deeply held values to this critical situation." To inform and guide us, this webinar will feature Drocella Mugorewera from Bridge Refugee Services, Tomas Matom Ramirez from the Indigenous Maya Ixil people, and the Rev. Irene Hassan from the UCC’s Minister of Refugee and Migration Services. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time still sign-up, and Brooks Berndt will send you a recording.

Voters ballots are due May 17, 2022 for Oregon's midterm primary election. Much of the past action addressing our climate emergency came from Governor Kate Brown's executive actions, because of a stymied legislature. That reality makes this race for the Governors office is particularly important. Fifteen Democrats are on the ballot for Governor, but The Oregonian says that House Speaker Tina Kotek and state Treasurer, Tobias Read "were the winner and runner-up in a straw poll of party faithful at Oregon Democrats’ 2017 summit" and "a recent survey commissioned by Read showed the two Democrats in a tight race, with Kotek in the lead and more than 50% of likely primary voters undecided." Kotek says she "voted to put Oregon on a path to 100% clean electricity." Read says "he’ll accelerate our investments in clean energy to battle climate change and prevent wildfires." Click here for a list of climate related actions Kotek proposes; Click here for Read's priorities regarding climate change. Oregon Republican voters must choose from among 19 candidates for governor. The Statesman Journal says that "six have set themselves apart with their fundraising success, each raising more than $500,000 this election cycle, according to state campaign finance records:" Christine Drazan, Bob Tiernan, Bridget Barton, Mayor Stan Pulliam and Jessica Gomez. Christine Drazan is explicit in proposing to "end the costly cap-and trade program - In March of 2020, Governor Brown signed an executive order establishing a cap-and-trade style program in Oregon. This overreach is going to harm critical industries like timber, manufacturing and trucking and result in price increases across the board for Oregonians. I will repeal Governor Brown’s climate scheme on my first day in office." The websites of Bob Tiernan, Bridget Barton, Dr. Bud Pierce , Mayor Stan Pulliam and Jessica Gomez focus entirely on other issues - they may mention forest management and wildfires but do not specifically address climate change as a major issue. Voters will elect Oregon's next Governor based on multiple factors even though climate change poses an existential issue. There are many other issues: gun violence/gun ownership rights; safe streets/homelessness; criminal justice reform/supporting police; mental health/drug abuse; women's reproductive rights/anti-abortion, right to life; wildfires; education; jobs; housing, health care....

On Thursday, April 28, 2022 International artist, and filmmaker Imogene Drummond shared how her growing awareness of our integral connection with the Universe influenced the development of her art in diverse media, including film, video installation, and an educational program that combines self-worth, creativity, and the Cosmos. Watch part 1 here. Watch part 2 here Due to her painting expeditions around the world, Drummond was invited to join the Society of Woman Geographers (for women who know not boundaries), whose membership includes explorers of ideas as well as geography, among them Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, and Jane Goodall. Her experience, talent, and vision converge in Art Sparks. Her article Options for the Future; is the closing piece in the thought-provoking 2006 anthology The Rule of Mars, on patriarchy. Drummond's work has been influenced by Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim. Her review of her Options article in Deeptime Network applies this evolutionary perspective to: Art, Current Issues, Ecology/Sustainability, Education, Government, Law, Other (Cultural Transformation), Religion/Spirituality and Social Justice. "Real social change can flourish only when we understand that our primary context is not political, racial, religious, gender or other identification. but the universe." ~ Orla Hazra

The announcement of Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter has caused a firestorm of debate about free speech and misinformation. Will conservatives who have been banned from Twitter find a more friendly platform? Will Donald Trump, who told Fox News that even if Musk lifts his ban follow through he will "not go back to Twitter" and stay with Truth Social* (Trump's new social media site)? Will Twitter continue with "pre-bunks" (hubs of credible, authoritative information, available in the Explore tab, Search, and Trends.)? Will Twitter "ban climate misinformation in ads" as Google said it would in October 2021? Joseph Winters of Grist's The Beacon writes: "Just days before the announcement that Elon Musk would purchase Twitter for $44 billion, the platform announced new steps to address the escalating urgency of the climate crisis. In a statement on Friday [April 22, 2022], the social media giant said it will ban ads that “contradict the scientific consensus on climate change.” Tristan Harris, of Center for Humane Technology's Your Undivided Attention Podcast says "Now the opportunity is, if Elon were to take the company [Twitter] private, to make it no longer beholden to these quarterly earnings reports and having to grow each quarter to the public market." Sean Boyle, Twitter's Director of Sustainability, wrote in the Twitter blog about Accelerating our climate commitments on Earth Day "Tackling the climate crisis requires meaningful, sustained collaboration. Through #AdsForGood grants, on-service support, trainings, and more, we’re partnering with organizations committed to environmental conservation and sustainability.:" Earth Day Network United Nations (UN) Environment Programme UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Development Programme Greenpeace Voice for the Planet Let Me Breathe WWF 350.org FridaysForFuture We Don’t Have Time Climate Reality Project and others. It's not easy to find the truth. Since we live in a culture of disinformation Rev. Roger Wolsey wrote Church Members Need Help Navigating Our Rapidly Changing World saying "before you share information, search (“Google”) to see if those claims have been verified or debunked." Here are some fact check sources: https://www.reuters.com/fact-check https://apnews.com/hub/ap-fact-check https://www.usatoday.com/news/factcheck https://www.snopes.com https://www.politifact.com https://quoteinvestigator.com Be sure to watch PBS Frontline's three-part series which premiered Tuesdays, April 19, April 26 and May 3, 2022 The Power of Big Oil, Part One: Denial It examines the fossil fuel industry’s history of casting doubt and delaying action on climate change. "What the geniuses of the PR firms who work for these big, big fossil fuel companies know is that truth has nothing to do with who wins the argument. If you say something enough times, people will begin to believe it.” ~ John Passacantando *Interestingly, Elon Musk tweeted on April 27, 2022 "Truth Social (terrible name) exists because Twitter censored free speech... Should be called Trumpet instead!"

Listen to GreenState the 04/22/2022 podcast: Environmental Justice in the environmental and conservation movements and at DEQ. Check out the podcast and show notes here. "To celebrate Earth Day/Week/Month, Lauren and Dylan are talking about environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion - not just in general, but how this conversation is evolving at DEQ specifically. They are joined by three DEQ staff integral to this work: Natalie Nava, DEQ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Chamille Hartman, Northwest Region Water Quality, also involved in the environmental justice work group Ximena Cruzcueves, Cleanup Program Coordinator, also involved in the BIPOC affinity group, on the DEI Council, and leading the environmental justice work group "This conversation touches on the history of racism in the United State and Oregon have created structures that impact even efforts seen as progressive, like the environmental and conservation movements. Institutions have been undoubtedly influenced by this history, and DEQ has begun work to re-imagine how the agency can protect the environment in a way that represents the experiences and responds to the needs of everyone who lives in Oregon." Listen to the podcast on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Creation Justice Ministry's theme for Earth Day 2022 was Weathering The Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience. Click here for stories of resilience and action steps. "We need to be like Noah and use the solution of 'pitch' symbolically, spreading the word about the climate crisis inside and out of every place where God's people gather. We must 'waterproof' everyone and everything that we meet, to enable them to weather the storm of climate change." ~ Rev. Dr. Betty Holley On Monday, February 28, 2022 the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on climate impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. We took away from the report these three points: 1. Further delay in action will miss the small window to secure a livable future. 2. Climate change is most affecting communities least able to adapt. 3. Urgent adaptation & resilience might prevent widespread suffering. Click here for Creation Justice Ministries response to this IPCC report.

Sacred Trust: Our Children’s Right to a Livable Future is a program of Interfaith Power and Light during Faith Climate Action Week from April 22 to May 1, 2022. There will be two zoom screenings and discussions of Youth v Gov, a climate change ‘superhero’ movie, in Medford, Oregon during Faith Climate Action Week. You are invited to a Zoom showing of the movie YOUTH v GOV: When: Apr 29, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) You must register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-qrrjMsHdA9US0ZDngtMT-MeRgeLIjM After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.. “Exercising my ‘reasoned judgment,’ I have no doubt that the right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society.” ~ U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken From Wikipedia: "Juliana, et al. v. United States of America, et al. is a climate-related lawsuit filed in 2015 by 21 youth plaintiffs against the United States and several executive branch officials. Filing their case in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, the plaintiffs, represented by the non-profit organization Our Children's Trust, include Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, the members of Martinez's organization Earth Guardians, and climatologist James Hansen as a "guardian for future generations". Some fossil fuel and industry groups intervened as defendants, but were later dropped at their request following the 2016 presidential election. They assert that the government has knowingly violated their due process rights of life, liberty, and property as well as the government's sovereign duty to protect public grounds i.e. the Public Trust Doctrine by encouraging and permitting the combustion of fossil fuels. The plaintiffs call for the government to offer “both declaratory and injunctive relief for their claim—specifically, a declaration of the federal government's fiduciary role in preserving the atmosphere and an injunction of its actions which contravene that role.” The case is an example of an area of environmental law referred to as "atmospheric trust litigation", a concept based on the public trust doctrine and international responsibility related to natural resources. In January 2020, a Ninth Circuit panel dismissed the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue. On February 10, 2021, the en banc Ninth Circuit issued an order without written dissents denying the appeal. As of December 2021, the case is awaiting the district court's ruling on plaintiffs' motion for leave to amend their complaint." Take Action Now - Click here for a list of 13 things you can do to to support the work of Our Children's Trust. The IPL Sacred Trust program (outlined below from their website) examines our responsibility to safeguard our Earth for generations, and how our faiths call us to respond with bold and just solutions. Our faith traditions call us into a holy covenant of Sacred Trust to care for one another in a relationship of mutual accountability. One way we care for one another is to care for our Earth, our common home. Intergenerational climate justice calls us all to a sacred duty to care for the Earth and preserve our common home so that future generations may thrive. For instance, the Seventh Generation Principle is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) philosophy that we should consider how today’s decisions impact those seven generations from now. Many faith traditions speak of honoring future generations with equity and justice. Abrahamic scripture places each generation in relationship with past and future generations; in genealogies, histories, and prophecies. This outlook expressed in Genesis 17:7, “I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” implies responsibility of the believers to maintain this continuum. Working to ensure a safe and stable climate for future generations is foundational to the mission of Interfaith Power & Light. Intergenerational injustice, racial injustice, and climate injustice converge to have a disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, communities of color, and low-wealth communities. These communities are suffering the most from climate change impacts that will only worsen with time. To ensure a livable climate for the next seven generations and beyond, we need to advocate for equitable systems that care for these communities who are on the forefront of climate change. "Our children have a sacred right to a livable future – to air they can breathe, water they can drink, land they can grow food on, and a stable climate. This future is being threatened by our climate crisis – with more extreme floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires – our air, water, and land becomes more polluted, less resilient, and less capable of sustaining life. It is our responsibility to respond to the call of our faiths and ensure a healthy environment for those who come after us." ~ Interfaith Power & Light Learn Our children not only have a moral right to a safe and livable climate, in the United States. We have legal provisions that protect the rights of future generations to a healthy environment. The “public trust doctrine” calls the government to protect certain natural resources for the public good. A U.S. District Court judge ruled that this principle applies to the atmosphere, “Exercising my ‘reasoned judgement,’ ... I have no doubt that the right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society.” The Bill of Rights of our constitution protects our “fundamental right to life, liberty, property”. Climate change poses a threat to these rights, destroying lives and property with extreme weather events such as floods, wildfires and heat waves, or incremental changes such as sea rise. Our government has knowingly taken action to cause climate change through such actions as subsidizing fossil fuels, even after the scientific evidence became clear that the burning of fossil fuels drives climate change. There is precedent for our court system initiating broad societal changes. For instance the Brown vs. Board of Education court decision successfully ordered desegregation when other branches of our government failed to provide an equal right to education to people of color. Learn about the role of courts to address climate injustice by hosting a screening and discussion of the film, Youth v Gov. It follows the landmark lawsuit that 21 youth have filed against the United States government for its role in causing climate change and violating their rights to life, liberty, and property, while also failing to protect essential public resources. Historically, young people have led social and political change movements: civil rights, anti-war, immigration, and now climate change. Even very young children are speaking out for a livable climate. We must seek young people out, invite them to lead, work with them, and support them. Resources See this list of additional resources compiled by IPL that includes resources for worship, sermons or talks, climate study for youth and adults, short films, Joanna Macy’s intergenerational exercise, and more. Click here: bit.ly/resourcesIPL For example, the series of short films from Our Children’s Trust, based in Eugene OR, feature motivations of the young people who are the plaintiffs in the case Juliana v United States, such as 11 year old climate activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, of Aztec heritage, who speaks articulately of the devastation wildfires have caused in Colorado, and Nelson Kanuk, a native Yup'ik Eskimo from Alaska who speaks movingly of the melting ice and rising sea levels threatening his village’s homes and hunting way of life. Check out their Facbook page: https://www.facebook.com/youthvgov ACT Let your actions be interactive and intergenerational - youth and adults learn and act together. However, know that the voices of young people have an outsized impact when they speak about how climate change imperils their future. So be sure to make space for them to speak, and remember they need the support of their adults to find their voice and ensure a positive experience. Consider these three options for your congregation... 1) Educate Learn about climate impacts in your area on future generations, communities of color, and low-wealth communities. Consider a field trip to see local climate impacts such as flood damage. Work with people in that area who want to share their story, and consider taking action with that community to help solve the problem. For example MN IPL took youth to visit the Line 3 pipeline resistance camp to learn about the struggle and how they could participate. Organize a field trip to see climate solutions like a solar installation or take a ride in an electric car. Offer a safe space for children and youth to integrate what they are learning. Answer their questions truthfully but with care. Climate change is an existential threat, but solutions are at hand. Reassure them you are working on it and will support them in working on it. Together we can. 2) Respond IPL invites youth and children to respond to the theme of Sacred Trust, the film Youth v Gov, or local environmental issues by imagining a beautiful, livable Earth that we want to see in the future. Watch this video, Imagine the Future, by climate activist Xiye Bastida bit.ly/3wBYOYL with your youth and children, then make art to submit to the #imagineIPL campaign by posting the art to IPL’s Facebook (honoring your family’s or community’s social media protocols). Paint, draw, write a poem or a story, create a meme, a short movie, write a new song and film it, etc. OK for adults to collaborate with children on a project, but be sure the childrens’ voices are heard. 3) Support Help the youth in your congregation identify a local grassroots climate action to take part in, being mindful that their participation is a positive activist experience. Take part with them. Build relationships with this grassroots effort, don’t try to take it over. Connect with your state IPL affiliate to learn about local or state opportunities. bit.ly/yourIPL Here’s one idea: Help your youth and children present to their congregation, school board, or city council with the moral call to act on climate. It doesn’t have to be heavy on science or solutions, just kids asking grown ups to make a plan to reduce emissions. See this short film on how kids and adults worked together to pass a local plan to address climate change. ourchildrenstrust.org/short-films Bless them in your congregation’s worship service before they head out to take part in climate action (see enclosed blessing). Preach or give a talk about intergenerational climate justice, the efforts of youth and children in your congregation acting to heal the earth, the court case Juliana v United States, or the case in your state. Find sermon/talk resources here: bit.ly/resourcesIPL and here: bit.ly/worshipIPL Encourage youth by sending supportive messages in letters, in announcements during worship services, in congregational newsletters. Express your appreciation for their efforts to care for our common home. The bond of sacred trust between generations is strengthened as we work together to create a livable future for all our children, grandchildren, and future generations. We are nurturing new leaders and demonstrating our commitment to ensure a stable climate where people live in right and just relationship, interconnected with a healthy and thriving natural world. Add your public events to the national calendar to show the world that as people of faith and conscience we are all doing our part: faithclimateactionweek.org/host-an-event/ For more information contact programs@interfaithpowerandlight.org Quotes “People of color, indigenous communities, low- income communities and young people face a significantly higher risk of experiencing the impacts of climate change.” ―Vic Barrett, plaintiff in Juliana v. United States “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” "No voice is as morally powerful and persuasive as that of youth. One of the most important acts a pastor or youth minister can take to address our climate is to hand over the microphone and the pulpit to a climate prophet of the younger generation." ~ Brooks Berndt, UCC, Environmental Minister “It is in our nature to want to fight for the health of the planet. This life is a gift and it is our responsibility to respect and protect that which gives us life.” ― Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, hip hop artist and former youth director of Earth Guardians“We youth are going to fight for our future. You have to be there to support us, to be allies, and to make sure our voices are not being stepped on” ~ Aniya Butler, Youth v the Apocalypse "When the Earth is hurting, human beings are hurting as well. It's important to act on that interconnectedness." ~ Noa Gordon-Guterman, Jewish Climate Action Network "You're never too young to take action. You're never too young to be involved," ~ Alexandria Villaseñor, Fridays for Future “The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves its children.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer "Our government makes profit a priority over protecting our right to a sustainable future. My generation, without voting rights, hasn't been fairly represented in making decisions that will affect our lives." ~ Nathan Baring, Fairbanks, Alaska, plaintiff in Juliana v. United States “We often think of future generations when talking about climate, but my generation is already feeling the impacts of climate change. If we want a livable planet for all, we need drastic action now.” ~ Sofia Gilani, Climate Action Advocate, Green Muslims

University of California Davis' Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy is offering a Zoom webinar: Air Quality Impacts of the Proposed Expansion of Oregon's Clean Fuels Program on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT Here is the UC Davis Webinar Invite – please use this link to register in advance for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. "As part of a state-wide effort to reduce carbon emissions, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is considering an expansion of the state's Clean Fuels Program (CFP). Adopted in 2015, the CFP sets a state-wide target for the average amount of carbon intensity (carbon emissions per unit) for transportation fuels. This target declines over time, and creates an incentive for fuel suppliers to bring cleaner, renewable fuels, like electricity, biodiesel, renewable natural gas, or ethanol, to the Oregon market. In addition to being lower-carbon emissions, these fuels also typically reduce emissions of other air pollutants, like particulate matter, and chemicals that contribute to the formation of Ozone or smog." Researchers from the University of California, Davis, have modeled the air quality impacts of the vehicles and fuels that could be used to meet an expanded Clean Fuels Program in Oregon. This webinar will discuss the methods used for modeling, as well as the results of this research, and give community members an opportunity to speak with members of the research team. Additional Information To learn more about this rulemaking in Oregon you can view the rulemaking web page at: Clean Fuels Program Expansion 2022. If you want to receive future email notices about this rulemaking, you must sign up at: GovDelivery. You can also obtain more information about this rulemaking by contacting: Cory Ann Wind Cory.Ann.Wind@deq.oregon.gov 503-869-1326

The theme of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) 8th Greening Ramadan Campaign 2022 is "Raising Earth Care." to encourage Mosques and Islamic Centers to participate.