NewingtonUCC Green Church Blog

Green Team Climate Change Awareness Education Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 01:51:00 +0000

Thanks to all who filled out a survey!

Here are the results from the survey:

Livestream of Bill McKibben’s talk at Yale Tues. 10/10/2017

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:49:00 +0000

Bill McKibben, award-winning and world-renowned author and environmentalist, will give the next Chubb Fellowship Lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

His talk, titled “Simply Too Hot: The Desperate Science and Politics of Climate,” will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Woolsey Hall, corner of College and Grove streets. It is free and open to the public. The event will also be livestreamed on Yale's YouTube channel.

For more on Bill McKibben:

https://news.yale.edu/2017/10/01/noted-environmentalist-and-author-bill-mckibben-visit-chubb-fellow

Earth Knows

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 16:14:00 +0000

Earth Knows

by Lynn Johnson

Earth knows how to heal herself,
if we just let her.

She knows how her worms
can turn newspaper
into black soil.
She knows how her trees
make a canopy of shade,
bring oxygen to the ones that breathe it
in exchange for carbon.
She knows how leaves that fall
fertilize the ground beneath
if we just let them.
She knows how her tender grass
has the strength to crumble concrete.
She knows the heat of her Sun
could warm every home,
If we just let it.
She knows the power of her wind
could accomplish multiple tasks
If we would harness it.
All with no harm to her.
All with no harm to us.

If we don’t remove the poisons,
reduce the carbon
and let her heal,
If we don’t face the fact
that there are way too many of us,
using way too many resources,
way too fast,

If we don’t start following her lead;

She will shake us all off like a giant Mare shooing away flies

Source: https://irejn.org/blog-post/earth-knows/

CT Environmental Legislation Scorecard for 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Wed, 17 May 2017 18:13:00 +0000

CTLCV is tracking for our 2016 legislative scorecard

For sixteen years, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters has helped elect pro-environment lawmakers and hold them accountable for passing legislation to protect health, communities and the environment. The CTLCV publishes the annual Connecticut Environmental Scorecard which rates the actions of every state legislator on the state’s environmental priorities each year. The 2016 Scorecard is paid for by the CTLCV Political Action Committee. This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. Contributions to the CTLCV PAC of $5,000 or more were made by CTLCV, Inc and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's internet website.

Find out how your Connecticut General Assembly members voted on the environmental issues that matter to you!

For more info: http://www.ctlcv.org/2016-scorecard.html

For Scorecard:
http://www.ctlcv.org/uploads/6/2/0/1/6201942/2016_scorecard_sept_16c.pdf

Find how you State Senator voted:
http://www.ctlcv.org/uploads/6/2/0/1/6201942/2016_senate_votes_as_of_9.9.2016.pdf

Find out how your State House Representative voted:
http://www.ctlcv.org/uploads/6/2/0/1/6201942/2016_house_votes_as_of_9.9.2016.pdf

CT Environmental Legislation for 2017 - Status

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Wed, 17 May 2017 17:07:00 +0000

Many bills and funding priorities this session will greatly affect how our state protects the environment. CTLCV has created an "Environmental Watchlist" of bills we are tracking this session at the Connecticut General Assembly. Sign up to receive information as the session progresses by clicking the Get Action Alerts button on this page. Read background informationand CTLCV's testimony on key issues.

http://www.ctlcv.org/2017-legislative-session.html

Sign up to receive environmental action alerts from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. You’ll receive emails when there is an urgent action you can take on an environmental issue specific to your district, enabling you to call or email your state senator or representative about issues close to home. We’ll also keep you up to date with CTLCV events across the state.

https://act.myngp.com/Forms/2448495840080366336

Lazarus, come out! A Christian response to the climate crisis.

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Wed, 10 May 2017 20:55:00 +0000

Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 2, 2017, delivered by the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas at The Church of the Covenant, Boston, MA.

John 11:1-45 What a blessing it is to be here this morning and to join your Lenten exploration of “Fierce Love”! Thank you, Rob (Rev. Robert J. Mark), for inviting me to preach, and thank you for your steadfast witness to God’s love for the Earth and for all its communities, human and other-than-human. I was arrested with you last spring at an interfaith ...

Read the full sermon:
http://www.macucc.org/blogdetail/lazarus-come-out-a-christian-response-to-the-climate-crisis-7882341

Beyond Earth Day 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Wed, 10 May 2017 19:57:00 +0000

Here are several questions for reflection to consider as you move forward.

What do you care most about now? Why do you care about taking action? Take a moment to clarify for yourself. Consider writing it down.
What steps are you taking daily, weekly and monthly to show your support for the issues that matter most? Identify at least one action you can take.
How do you stay inspired, even in light of discouraging news? What practices can you weave into your life that will help you to maintain your energy and commitment?
What actions will you commit to in the next month that will move you toward your goals? Clarify. Invite others to join you.

Whatever you do after Earth Day and the marches, find ways to stay involved and engaged! As naturalist and writer Wendell Berry says, “The Earth is what we all have in common.” Let’s do our part to be the change we wish to see.

Behavior Change for Sustainability

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Wed, 10 May 2017 19:46:00 +0000

Behavior Change for Sustainability: Northwest Earth Institute's Approach!

Just published this month, in our new white paper NWEI's Director of Learning Lacy Cagle and curriculum designer Dr. Veronica Hotton explore how even though many people claim to care about environmental issues, their behavior often doesn't align with expressed environmental values. Behavior change research shows that making small changes or trying on new habits like participants do in NWEI's Discussion Courses and EcoChallenge can have a cascading effect on other habits and routines in your life.

http://nwei.org/assets/Behavior-Change-for-Sustainability_NWEI.pdf

We can reverse global warming... and we're doing it

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 07 May 2017 20:32:00 +0000

"Scientists have studied the impact of carbon emissions and they have made their projections for global warming. But nobody did a proper integrated analysis of the solutions. Until now. On April 18, a new book offering a strategy will be published—it’s titled Drawdown: The most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming. How to ‘drawdown’ the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is the mission of the book. Drawdown is a project of an international coalition of 70 researchers and scientists from 22 countries who—since 2013—have analyzed the data and projections of the world’s leading research institutions in fields from energy to food and from family planning to reforestation.

The result is a concrete map of where humanity stands today when it comes to climate change. And the conclusion is remarkably optimistic: Using a conservative approach based on current facts and technology it’s plausible that we can reverse global warming in the next 30 years."

Can Anything Good Come from Climate Change?

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Fri, 05 May 2017 09:58:00 +0000

Can Anything Good Come from Climate Change?

An Interview with Bill McKibben. Spring 2015

http://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/environment/can-anything-good-come-from-climate-change

https://youtu.be/fc8JyU1k4eA

Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Tue, 02 May 2017 22:49:00 +0000

Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change

How psychology can trick us into keeping Earth habitable.

For more details:
http://www.vox.com/videos/2017/4/19/15346442/humans-climate-change-psychology

Celebrate the People's Climate March

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Tue, 02 May 2017 22:40:00 +0000

Climate change was identified as the top issue the UCC as a church needs to focus on going forward based on two surveys (with 4,000 responding) that was reviewed at the March 2017 National UCC Board of Directors meeting.

UCC advocates show love for creation at People's Climate March in D.C.
http://www.ucc.org/news_ucc_advocates_show_love_for_creation_at_peoples_climate_march_in_dc_04302017

The Crossroads of Climate and Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Tue, 02 May 2017 22:29:00 +0000

Years of Living Dangerously Season 1: Bonus Footage - The Crossroads of Climate and Faith

Published on Apr 11, 2014 Don Cheadle talks to Katharine Hayhoe, an Evangelical climate scientist, about how she reconciles faith and science and how to speak about climate change with people of faith.

https://youtu.be/nY1HweENTeU

An interview with Katharine Hayhoe in early 2015: Climate for Change

http://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/discipleship/a-climate-for-change

Climate Change Awareness Education Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 04:40:00 +0000

WHAT: The Green Team is initiating an effort to increase the Congregation's awareness of the various aspects of Climate Change thru various forms of education.

WHY: We think this is very critical to do at this point in time in order to understand how to put our faith into action by understanding the impacts to current and future generations and to bring healing to all of creation.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VRQ97NP

Rise With Standing Rock and Native Nations

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 04:22:00 +0000

Rise With Standing Rock and Native Nations

More than 100 UCC folks from 26 states joined together in Washington DC to march in solidarity with Standing Rock and Native Nations in support of indigenous rights and environmental justice. The march started at the Army Corps of Engineers office building, paused at the Trump International Hotel, and ended at Lafayette park in front of the White House.

Pam Arifian, Director of the Northeast Regional Environmental Justice Center at Silver Lake, reports that it was: "An incredible day of unity, hope, love and respect."

See more photos

A Big City Voice on Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 04:14:00 +0000

A Big City Voice on Climate Change

Mayor Hidalgo of Paris on cars, pollution and the impact of women.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/us/a-voice-from-paris-on-climate-change.html

Anne Hidalgo, the Paris mayor, said she was “convinced that together, cities, businesses and citizens will save the planet. Their alliance is critical.”

Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, is also chairwoman of C40, a network of the world’s biggest cities committed to addressing climate change. As mayor, despite strong opposition, she has closed parts of the city — including along the bank of the Seine River — to traffic. Recently, I asked Ms. Hidalgo about her interest in environmental issues and why women are important to the solutions. Her answers have been edited and condensed.

Women’s Crucial Role in Combating Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 04:09:00 +0000

The link between climate change and women’s rights may seem baffling to some.

But for Zandile Gumede, the first female mayor of Durban, South Africa, they are inextricably woven together. She was elected last year in part on a promise to address environmental problems in the region, and engaging more women in the effort is crucial to finding solutions, she said.

Read more at: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/us/womens-crucial-role-in-combating-climate-change.html

People's Climate Movement Week of Action

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:59:00 +0000

https://peoplesclimate.org/week-of-action/

Opportunities

Live Climate Monday 4/24

1:00pm — Earth Week Climate Education Teach-InJoin ACE for a livestream teach-in on climate science and solutions. We’ll be playing trivia, watching videos from Our Climate Our Future, and taking Q&A with renowned climate scientist Scott Denning of Colorado State University and youth climate leader Maxine Jimenez of UC Santa Cruz. Click here to sign up

Wed 4/26

8:00pm — Chernobyl +31: From Nuclear Disaster to Renewable Energy Revolution
(This is a telebriefing event.) April 26 is the 31st anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster — one of the worst environmental catastrophes in world history, and one that is not and will not be over for many generations to come. But Chernobyl’s legacy is not only one of tragedy. The impact of Chernobyl convinced millions of the need to power the world with renewable energy, inspiring Germany’s Energy Transition, the foundation for the clean energy revolution we are building toward today. Join us for this live national briefing, to learn about Chernobyl, its legacy, and its relevance to the climate justice movement. Call: 712-770-4160 . Passcode: 723281#. Click here to learn more

May Day 5/1

May Day New Haven: General Strike, Solidarity and ResistanceMay 01, 2017 • 12:00 PMNew Haven GreenTemple StreetNew Haven, CT 06511
Get Details & RSVP

Eco-Justice Notes: Science, not Silence

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:58:00 +0000

http://www.eco-justice.org/E-170421.asp

Good read on March for Science and the issues.

Principles and Goals:

https://www.marchforscience.com/mission-and-vision/

How the Active Many Can Overcome the Ruthless Few | The Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:55:00 +0000

How the Active Many Can Overcome the Ruthless Few- the key to saving the earth in the 21st century

Nonviolent direct action was the 20th century’s greatest invention—and it is the key to saving the earth in the 21st century.

By Bill McKibben Twitter

https://www.thenation.com/article/how-the-active-many-can-overcome-the-ruthless-few/

42 tips on leading a zero-waste lifestyle.

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:21:00 +0000

YES! Magazine

April 7 at 9:00pm

Taking what he learned from his experiment, No Impact Man Colin Beavan offers 42 tips to move toward a zero-waste lifestyle.

http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/42-ways-to-not-make-trash

http://noimpactproject.org/

42 Ways to Not Make Trash

Here are some tips and tricks.

YESMAGAZINE.ORG

The religious case for caring about climate change

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:14:00 +0000

A great interview with Rev. Brooks Berndt, UCC Environmental Justice Minister, on the religious case for caring about climate change.

Brooks Berndt

April 19 at 10:00pm

Vox Media

So glad to have been interviewed by Vox about the contributions and roles faith communities can play in addressing climate change.
http://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/4/19/15271166/climate-change-religious-arguments

The religious case for caring about climate change

Talk about values, not just data: how this minister wants to inspire people to take action on protecting the environment.

VOX.COM

UCC Environmental Justice Center at SLCC

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:09:00 +0000

UCC Environmental Justice Center at SLCC

Environmental justice is the movement against environmental racism, which places our most polluting industries and sites disproportionately in low income and communities of color. This page serves as a way to activate and bear witness, to keep updated on all of the initiatives and happenings at Silver Lake as part of our efforts to be a model of sustainable living, and to educate about and advocate for major environmental issues and solutions. The CTUCC Environmental Ministries Team is hard at work on these issues, and we will be using this page to post updates and meeting notices too. We want YOU to be a witness too, and offer this page as a way to support your work as a responsible citizen of this earth! Thanks for all that you do!

About

Stay updated with what's happening at Silver Lake, take part in awareness and advocacy campaigns to support local, regional and global environmental initiatives, and share ideas about what a sustainable community looks like!

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeatSLCC/

Website: http://www.ctucc.org/environmentaljustice/

Equal Exchange is proud to launch our new Climate Justice Initiative!

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 22:57:00 +0000

As Vandana Shiva explains in her new book, Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis, the solution to climate change lies not only in our ability to exercise our collective will to immediately reduce the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases that we emit INTO the air, but in our willingness to support, and thereby benefit from, the regenerative capacity of small-scale, organic agriculture to actually pull existing CO2 out of the air - back into the soil.

Equal Exchange now joins an emerging movement of farmers, scientists, researchers, and activists who advocate this new perspective to combat climate change.

for more details on how to participate in:

Divest-Invest Campaign.
Invest in the solidarity economy and align your money with your values.

http://equalexchange.coop/climate-justice-initiative

Why the Green Team Sells Fair Trade Products

noreply@blogger.com (Church Webmaster) — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 22:49:00 +0000

Fair Trade Products are available for purchase every 3rd Sunday in Fellowship Hall after worship service (excl. July and August). Why do we sell these products?

Through the UCC Fair Trade (Coffee) Project, small farmers and their families gain more control over their lives, earn a fairer share of income, have access to credit and technical support, and gain a trading partner they can trust, a fair trade organization called Equal Exchange. By making this consumer choice, you support small scale farmers and workers throughout the world and encourage careful stewardship of God's creation.

For each pound of fairly traded coffee, chocolate, tea, and foods purchased through the UCC Coffee Project, 15 cents per pound from Equal Exchange goes to the Justice and Witness Ministries' Small Farmer Fund.

At fellowship coffee hour, you will be taking action in a spirit of love. We also include a small donation above the wholesale cost to help the coffee hour fund. Cash and checks accepted.

NewingtonUCC Green Church Blog

Green Team Climate Change Awareness Education Survey

Livestream of Bill McKibben’s talk at Yale Tues. 10/10/2017

Earth Knows

CT Environmental Legislation Scorecard for 2016

CT Environmental Legislation for 2017 - Status

Lazarus, come out! A Christian response to the climate crisis.

Beyond Earth Day 2017

Behavior Change for Sustainability

We can reverse global warming... and we're doing it

Can Anything Good Come from Climate Change?

Can Anything Good Come from Climate Change?

An Interview with Bill McKibben. Spring 2015

http://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/environment/can-anything-good-come-from-climate-change

Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change

Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change

How psychology can trick us into keeping Earth habitable.

Celebrate the People's Climate March

The Crossroads of Climate and Faith

Years of Living Dangerously Season 1: Bonus Footage - The Crossroads of Climate and Faith

Climate Change Awareness Education Survey

Rise With Standing Rock and Native Nations

A Big City Voice on Climate Change

A Big City Voice on Climate Change

Women’s Crucial Role in Combating Climate Change

People's Climate Movement Week of Action

Eco-Justice Notes: Science, not Silence

How the Active Many Can Overcome the Ruthless Few | The Nation

How the Active Many Can Overcome the Ruthless Few- the key to saving the earth in the 21st century

Nonviolent direct action was the 20th century’s greatest invention—and it is the key to saving the earth in the 21st century.

By Bill McKibbenTwitter

42 tips on leading a zero-waste lifestyle.

The religious case for caring about climate change

UCC Environmental Justice Center at SLCC

Equal Exchange is proud to launch our new Climate Justice Initiative!

Why the Green Team Sells Fair Trade Products

By Bill McKibben Twitter