News from the The Northeast Environmental Justice Center of the UCC.
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Environmental Justice News
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"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?"
Micah 6:8 NRSV
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The CT Legislative Session has begun, and there are opportunities to make an impact during this short session! Here are a few:
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Ban Fracking Waste in CT NOW
Senate Bill 103 "An Act Concerning Hydraulic Fracking Waste in CT" needs your support!
Public Hearing
When: 11:00 am February 23, 2018 (arrive at 9am)
36 CT towns have passed ordinances banning fracking waste, and there are 15 more in the process. A permanent state ban is the best way to protect ALL of us. This may be our last chance to change state law to protect our public health and ecosystems from toxic, radioactive fracking waste.
Please submit your testimony ASAP. Write your comments, save as .pdf file, and email with "SB 103 testimony" in subject line.
Send as an attachment to email
to by 3pm on February 22.
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Climate Change Planning and Resiliency in CT
In last month's newsletter, I shared the wonderful news about the good work of the
CT Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3)
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which voted unanimously to recommend a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 45% below 2001 levels by the year 2030.
Now we need to work hard to get that target adopted by the legislature. The first step is to get it through the Environment Committee, which is co-chaired by Sen. Craig Miner. Sen. Miner was named to the CT League of Conservation Voters "Wall of Shame" and in 2016, he was a member of the
LCV's Dirty Dozen
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Protect our Ocean Ecosystems from Offshore Drilling
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Join the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast
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New Introduced Federal Legislation Needs Support
It's always great to know that our legislators are listening: "In response to concerns raised by local residents and officials in western Connecticut over the construction of a new, 1,100-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Dover, New York, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) introduced the
Notify Officials, Towns, Individuals, and Cities (NOTICE) of Electric Generating Facilities Act,
legislation to increase transparency in power plant construction." This important legislation could be a game changer!
Please call your legislators in your support for the NOTICE Act!
Click here for more information
on the Cricket Valley Energy power plant.
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Monday, March 26, 12:00 - 2:00pm
Boston State House
24 Beacon St, Boston MA 02133
Demand that Gov. Baker stop cooperating with fossil fuel interests and do everything in his power to stop the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the Commonwealth. After an interfaith ceremony at the State House, the group will proceed to the Back Bay, where a new pipeline project is slated to power luxury high rises with fracked gas.
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Witness Opportunity: Webinar & Pledge to Preach for #EachGeneration
Upcoming Webinar: A Mother and Her Son Address Climate Change
Join a webinar on the evening of February 28
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that will feature Kiran and Rev. Melanie Oommen. Kiran is one of 21 youth plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit for lack of action on climate change. Melanie is his mother and a pastor at First Congregational UCC in Eugene, OR. They will share 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 UCC. 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.
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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 CT 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!
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By Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt
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Every generation has its calling, and I believe this is ours. Yet, I can see how for some this calling might initially feel like one to resist. Who wants to add “save the planet” to their already overloaded to-do list? But I think there is another way of viewing our present situation, and it relates to this notion of love."
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Registration is Open!
for High-School Youth
May 18-20, 2018
Silver Lake Conference Center
Cost: $145 (limited scholarships available)
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!
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Registration is Open for Summer Camp in 2018!
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February 24, 2018
12 - 6pm
Elmwood Community Center
West Hartford, CT
Hosted by CT Sierra Club and 350CT. Experts and Activists Exploring Some of the Toughest Questions Facing the Climate Movement
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for youth in 7th-12th grades (and post-high).
April 7, 2018, 9am-4pm
Brookside Congregational Church
Manchester, New Hampshire
Be informed and inspired to effect positive change for your future by climate leaders from the UCC and beyond!
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April 22, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Faith Congregational Church, Hartford, CT
A dynamic worship service that will your renew your spirit. For all youth in grades 5 and up and their pastors, parents, or adult leaders. This year's Youth Revival is on Earth Day, and will have a special focus on environmental justice! Don't miss it!
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