Reflecting on 2022 & Looking Ahead
|
|
Dear friends
As we just passed the darkest day of the year and our small home planet tilts back toward the sun, I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to all of you who participated with us and in your own places in working toward a livable and just present and future for everyone. We've done a lot of great things together, and we have some exciting events and advocacy opportunities to look forward to in 2023.
|
|
In 2022, we advocated together at the state and federal levels, gathered virtually for Green Circles and our Interfaith Earth Summit, read Becoming Rooted by Randy Woodley together and visited Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice for Earth Day (in collaboration with EcoFaith Recovery). Many faith communities hosted film screenings of Youth v Gov, and together we hosted Our Children's Trust and youth plaintiffs for a virtual discussion of the film and the suite of climate lawsuits the film discussed. Through your advocacy joining with other Oregonians', we helped pass the Farmworker Protection bill and Emergency Heat Relief Package in Oregon. We spoke up for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act with strong environmental justice funding priorities at the federal level, as well as blocking Sen. Manchin's "dirty side deal" several times, refusing to weaken environmental protections, open up our planet to further pipelines, or permit new oil and
|
|
gas extraction sites on public lands. We submitted comments to Oregon's Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Transportation, letting them know that people of faith in our state care about environmental justice and strong and effective policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable communities. We participated in GreenFaith's global Faiths 4 Climate Justice actions this fall with our event, "Just Roads: Faiths 4 Climate Justice Teach-in & Vigil," in cooperation with Multnomah Friends Meeting and Youth vs. ODOT.
|
|
This year was filled to the brim with so many meaningful events, actions, education and advocacy opportunities, and other gatherings that I can't name them all here. Many of your faith communities, denominations, and green teams invited me to share with you about climate and environmental justice. It was fun to be able to visit your groups in person or virtually. I also had the joy of meeting some of you one-on-one to discuss what you're up to and how we can collaborate. I look forward to meeting more of you and visiting your communities in 2023. Please reach out to schedule a meeting or invite me to visit!
We truly appreciate all your collaboration and support—we couldn't do this crucial work without you! As you're considering your year-end donations, we would be honored if you would like to support our work to organize faith communities to care for our common home. You can contribute a one-time gift or sign up as a monthly donor. Thank you, and may your holidays and celebration of the New Year be meaningful and love-filled this season.
|
|
Cherice Bock
Creation Justice Advocate
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light
|
|
Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit: February 5, "Care for Our Common Home: Building Neighborhood Climate Resilience"
|
|
For this year's 10th annual Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit, we are experimenting with a hybrid format, with in-person gatherings in faith communities all over the state.
Mark your calendars to attend this event on February 5, 1:30–5:30pm, with the theme, "Care for Our Common Home: Building Neighborhood Climate Resilience." Part of the event will be live-streamed on Zoom, and the rest will be an opportunity to learn and build relationships with people of faith in your region who care about climate and environmental justice.
Would you like to host an event in your region, and/or participate in planning your local gathering? Sign up to host here by December 31. Register for an info session on January 16, 7–8pm, to learn more, and/or email us for a Host Handbook and other information. We will also hold a debriefing session for hosts and volunteers on February 9.
Individual registration will be available the first week of January. Be on the lookout for a special newsletter announcement including a registration link and site information. Registration will be $20 ($10 students, scholarships available), which helps cover speaker honorariums and other costs.
|
|
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light Advocacy Team
|
|
You will also receive regular action alerts by email with opportunities to write emails, meet with legislators with us, and attend or give testimony at (virtual) hearings. We will likely have a climate advocacy day in Salem during the session, and will have opportunities for people from parts of the state not close to Salem to meet with legislators by video conference.
We are helping organize and advocate for a number of bills related to climate and environmental justice this year including the Treasury Investment & Climate Protection Act, a resilience hubs bill, advocacy around just and sustainable use of transportation funds, more efficient building policies, and a bill targeting ecological resilience through natural and working lands.
Sign up now, and invite others from your faith community's green team or other people of faith from your legislative district to join you.
|
|
Teams interested in continuing to develop the neighborhood climate resilience ideas we learn about at the Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit are encouraged to join our Resilient Communities Cohort for Congregations, which will take place the third Tuesday of each month, February–June, from 6:30–8:30pm on Zoom. This cohort will be in place of Green Circles this year, and it's a bit of a pilot program that we will launch again in the fall. We are partnering with Sarah Loose, who is working on climate resilience as the Coordinator for the Oregon Synod Disaster Response & Preparedness Team, and others to create this cohort.
The first hour of each monthly gathering will focus on story, as we learn about resilience and impacts of climate change from members of immigrant and Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous communities in our region. During the second hour we’ll share practices we can use to build more positive resilience in our own communities.
A suggested donation of $100 per person will help us offer honoraria to speakers and defray administrative costs. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of ability to donate.
|
|
Take Action: No freeway expansion in I-5 Rose Quarter
|
|
The public comment period is open through January 4 to speak up about the I-5 Rose Quarter freeway expansion project. Though this project is in Portland, it is a statewide issue, as part of the Oregon Department of Transportation's budget for our Interstate freeway. To comment, you can:
|
|
Background: In November, we held an event, "Just Roads: Faiths 4 Climate Justice Teach-in & Vigil," where we learned from Youth vs ODOT and No More Freeways.
Research shows that freeway expansions
DO NOT reduce traffic jams. Instead, they increase the amount of vehicles using the road, and therefore freeway expansions increase greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air quality, and do not resolve traffic concerns.
The youth participating in Youth vs ODOT demand a full Environmental Impact Statement (rather than an assessment of whether or not a statement needs to be done, which is what has been done so far), no freeway expansions in the Portland metro area, and increased funding for public transit from the Federal Infrastructure Bill to go toward lowering emissions and making public transit more convenient, affordable, and emissions-reducing.
In addition to being a climate concern, this freeway expansion is also an environmental and racial justice issue: this project goes through the Albina neighborhood, which has been one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Portland, and which has borne the brunt of freeway expansion projects, pollution, and displacement for transportation and industrial projects for decades. It would also impact the air quality or potentially displace some of the most diverse schools in Portland.
|
|
Therefore, we encourage you to write a public comment to ODOT by January 4, including some or all of the following talking points, discussing why this topic is important to you:
-
Conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement on the I-5 Rose Quarter freeway expansion project. This should take into account neighborhood air quality, particularly at Harriet Tubman Middle School, which is next to the freeway.
-
No new lanes: due to the addition of tolling, ODOT's internal research shows traffic volume will not increase on the improved highway; therefore, more lanes are not a necessary expenditure, and there is no need to increase pollution and emissions in the neighborhood and the atmosphere.
-
Yes freeway caps: covering the roadway keeps the neighborhood more intact and improves local air quality.
-
Disclose to the public the complete plan, including freeway width, number of lanes, cost, on- and off-ramps, environmental impact, and complete plans for local schools potentially displaced by this project.
- Include a story about why this is important to you.
|
|
Save the Date: youth-led Sustainable Energy Education Conference (virtual), February 25
|
|
The youth of Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland are organizing their second annual Sustainable Energy Education Conference on February 25 from 10am–noon. This will be a Zoom webinar. Youth and adults are welcome to participate. Contact us to receive registration information when it's available, and look for more information in next month's newsletter.
|
|
Plan Ahead: Earth Month 2023
|
|
Consider holding an event, a film screening, or taking action together to care for the planet during April, which is Earth Month. Our partners at the national-level Interfaith Power & Light are creating an organizer kit on the topic, " Living the Golden Rule: a just transition to a clean energy economy," for use particularly during April 14–23. You can reserve organizer your kit today and it will be sent to you (by PDF or in the mail) in the coming months. Plan now to host a film screening and get it on your faith community's calendar.
Talk to your faith leader soon about holding an educational event, incorporating sustainability and care for creation into a worship gathering, and/or taking practical action toward a more just and sustainable neighborhood during April.
|
|
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
|
|
Stay Connected with EMO's Creation Justice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|