Updates from the The UCC Northeast Environmental Justice Center of the UCC.
News from the The Northeast Environmental Justice Center of the UCC.
Environmental Justice News
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Are you hoping to start or deepen conversation and action in your church or community about environmental justice? I would love to help. Contact Pam to schedule a workshop at your church!
News to Celebrate!
Great news comes via the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs: TheCT Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3)voted unanimously to recommend a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 45% below 2001 levels by the year 2030.The GC3's analysisdemonstrated the need for a faster transition to a clean energy economy in order achieve the state's mandated goal of an 80% emissions reduction by 2050.
This new target for 2030 is one of the most aggressive interim targets of any state in the nation, and it will have a direct impact on state climate and energy policies: we'll need more renewable energy (including offshore wind!), more electric vehicles and mass transit, and more efficient buildings with electric heat pumps displacing oil & gas heat.
Implementing these changes will be very challenging, but the best news is that the GC3's economic modeling has affirmed the findings of the Roundtable's own jobs study: this faster transition will bring jobs and economic growth to Connecticut.
What's next? Translate this good news into action, starting with legislative action in the upcoming session:
Incorporate the new 2030 target into the Global Warming Solutions Act;
Witness Opportunity: Webinar & Pledge to Preach for #EachGeneration
In a landmark case called Juliana v. U.S., twenty-one youth are awakening our nation to the need for climate action by suing our federal government.
Upcoming Webinar: A Mother and Her Son Address Climate Change
Join a webinar on the evening of February 28th that will feature Kiran and Rev. Melanie Oommen. Kiran is one of 21 youth plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Melanie is his mother and a pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eugene, Oregon. They will share about their experiences with the case and the insights they have gained. The call will be co-hosted by Shantha Ready Alonso from Creation Justice Ministries and the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt from the United Church of Christ. A brief legal update will be given by Coreal Riday-White of Our Children's Trust. Register now to join this live event!
The Justice for #EachGeneration campaign is calling for more than a thousand sermons as an act of solidarity, and to help grow support. Youth are especially encouraged to preach. You can pledge to deliver a sermon during the coming months in your community of faith. Youth are especially encouraged to join this effort and raise their powerful voices! Click here for more information and to pledge to deliver a sermon.
Earth Prayers Service for Earth Day Weekend
An initiative of the InterReligious EcoJustice Network(that aligns nicely with the #EachGeneration initiative, above!): From Friday, April 20, 2018 to Sunday, April 22, 2018, congregations across Connecticut will be praying for and celebrating Earth during their weekly worship service. Resources to create your own service will be available online soon, so save the date!
"I am looking forward to having the world see the incredible power my generation holds." —Victoria Barrett, one of 21 youth suing the federal government over climate change
When it comes to the damage done to our climate, no voice is as morally powerful and persuasive as that of youth.
Join us for a weekend of community, learning, playing and planting at camp! Together we will learn how people of faith can work towards environmental justice for all of God's children, and have an unforgettable camp experience. Please share this flyerwith youth and bulletin boards in your church! For more information, read the articles about past years' retreats, or contact me!
YOU can help make this Retreat more accessible to all youth! Please make a donation to the Scholarship Fund by sending a check marked as such to the UCC Northeast Environmental Justice Center to 223 Low Road, Sharon CT 06069. THANK YOU!
