6/14 Creation Corner Column: More Environmental Leaders identified by TIME magazine

More Environmental Leaders identified by TIME magazine

In addition to the Christian Evangelical climatologist Katharine Hayhoe regarded as a “Pioneer” among TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” cover story of May 5/May 12 (noted in this column last month), these others are noted:

TITANS

Tony Fadell, 45, CEO of NestLab, is combining design, engineering and entrepreneurship to create “smarter homes.”

Aliko Dangote, 57, businessman/activist is “doing well and doing good for Africa” as an advocate for agricultural research, malaria control, and leadership on polio and other diseases.

Ertharin Cousin, 56, from Chicago, is an advocate with a goal to eradicate hunger in our lifetime as she heads the United Nations World Food Programme, bringing food to more than 100 million people worldwide yearly.

PIONEERS

Kathryn Sullivan, 62, former astronaut, is the scientist/new administrator of NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and thus “the world’s weatherwoman.”  With the planet suffering increasingly severe upheavals, at least partly a result of climate change (droughts, floods, typhoons, tornadoes, etc.) she is “the right person for the right job at the right time” according to John Glenn.

Tom Steyer, 56, an investor/environmentalist/fundraiser is seen as a “green game changer”.  His group, “NextGen Climate” mobilizes young voters, politicians and candidates for office to ensure that facts, not anti-science climate denial, have a better chance to be heard.  He is also profiled in a two-page article, entitled “Green Giant” in the June 2 issue of TIME. 

Jack Ma, 49, chairs the Nature Conservancy’s China program.

ARTISTS

Barbara Brown Taylor, 62, author and Episcopal preacher is seen as a “centering voice in the wilderness”.  Her latest book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, helps in strengthening our “mental environment”.

Yao Chen, 34, is a romance comedy actress with more than 66 million followers on the Chinese Weibo blog, where she writes about the disturbing by-products of the epic economic rise in China.

LEADERS

John Kerry, 70, U.S. Secretary of State, is said to have a commitment to address the dangers posed by climate change that is long-standing.

Jerry Brown, 76, Governor of California is cited as a wise steward of the state’s resources, focused on overhauling its broken water system, supporting America’s largest agricultural economy, and fighting climate change.

ICONS

Pope Francis, 77, Roman Catholic Pontiff, chose his name “Francis” after the Catholic saint of nature, and, because nature can be viewed as impoverished, marginalized, cast-out, he urges us to be moral leaders in word and deed, especially in our practice of environmental ethics.

Robert Redford, 76, actor, showcases environmental-theme independent films at the Sundance Festival and supports environmental causes such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Arundhati Roy, 52, writer/activist, is said to be the “conscience of India” with her essays on crony capitalism and environmental depredation, thus providing  “bracing ways of seeing, thinking, and feeling.”

Carrie Underwood, 31, singer/songwriter is an American Idol winner (2005) and animal rights advocate.

Alice Waters, 69, chef and activist on behalf of better eating habits, food (fresh and local), cuisine, farmer markers, and improved home economics courses for children (The Edible Schoolyard Project).

Note:

If my analysis is correct, and my count accurate, these persons represent sixteen percent of the total of the 100 named, thus reflecting a considerable number of persons with environmental concerns, and a considerable depth of environmental issues worldwide.

5/14 Creation Corner:TIME Honors Evangelical Climatologist Katharine Hayhoe/World Environment Day

Evangelical/Climate Scientist Honored by TIME magazine

TIME, in its "100 Most Influential People" issue of May 5 and 12, raised up evangelical Christian and Texas Tech University climatologist Katharine Hayhoe as a "pioneer."

The book by Hayhoe, "A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions", co-authored by her husband, a pastor, makes an effort to correct the disinformation (misguided views) on climate science some religious people have.

She advocates a transition to cleaner renewable energy sources.

"Because climate change disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable, the very people Christians are called to care for and love," she has said, responding to "climate change is not inconsistent with Christian values."

"When I look at the information we get from the planet," she has said, "I look at it as God's creation...telling us that it is running a fever."  And as her husband might add, thermometers are neither Republican nor Democrat.

Hayhoe is also featured in the recently-released series "Years of Living Dangerously," on the Showtime network.

"It's hard to be a good steward of the planet if you don't accept the hard science behind what's harming it, and it can be just as hard to take action to protect our world if you don't love it as the rare gift it is.  For many people that implies a creator," said TIME profiler and Showtime interviewer of Hayhoe, Don Cheadle.

 

"It's Our World: World Environment Day, June 5"

The World Environment Day is the principal way that the United Nations uses yearly to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment.

This year the theme for the June 5th event is "Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level" in an effort to mark the survival threat of rising sea levels, due to climate change, to Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The web site  http://www.unep.org/wed provides A-Z steps one can take; related links; blogs; articles; supporters and messages; activities; regional features; youth voices; multi-media (posters, banners, videos, music, podcasts, logos); past yearly themes, etc.

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April '14 Creation Corner Column

 The Ten Commandments of Environmental Responsibility, by Rev. Dr. Alvin Pitcher (1913-1996).

1.  Thou shalt begin each day with thinking about, praying with and for the universe.  Use a globe as a symbol for the universe or find a picture of the heavens with galaxies.

2.   Remember that 40,000 kids under five die every day from hunger and hunger-related diseases.

3.  Thou shalt save energy.  Cut your energy use at least 20 percent during the next 12 months.
----walk, bicycle, carpool, reduce number of shopping trips
----replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent mostly
----insulate
----buy a car that gets 50 miles per gallon

4.  Thou shalt recycle!

5.  Thou shalt listen to what God is saying to us through the scientists' descriptions of what is happening to the earth.

6.  Thou shalt choose to use less---less gasoline, less fuel for heat, less hot water, less meat, less food grown with chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides), less paper, give less material goods and more of self, buy fewer clothes, less purchased recreation, less traveling, less housing, less purchased entertainment, purchase fewer books, less purchased jewelry, less alcohol.

7.  Thou shalt be part of a group focused on caring for creation---a task force in your congregation, a group of students and faculty at your school, a group living on your block or in your apartment building.  This will include political activity.

8.  Thou shalt write people, especially your friends, send literature, subscribe to magazines for them and other people.

9.  Thou shalt expose yourself to the world of nature---to forest, mountains, rivers, lakes, marshes, to garbage dumps, feed lots, agricultural processes.

10.  Thou shalt be open to accepting the ecological crisis as a gift---as an opportunity for new experiences, new ways of being with and for each other.

Alvin Pitcher was a longtime civil rights activist in Chicago, and retired as a divinity professor from the University of Chicago.  In 1994 Pilgrim Press published his Listen to the Crying of the Earth:  Creating Creation Communities.  In 1965 he received the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Prize from the American Baptist Convention.

3/14 Creation Corner Column: Earth Day Sunday 2014 and Beyond

Creation Justice Ministries develops Earth Day Sunday
materials each year to help congregations celebrate and care for God's
Creation.  The 2014 theme is "Water, Holy Water" (see Job 5:10,
Psalms 104:10-13; Isaiah 43:16-21, Genesis 1:20, Hebrews 10:22, Exodus 17, Ezekiel 34:18, and over 700 other Biblical references to water).

Beyond a six-page introduction to the theme, the web site for 2014 and
topics for prior years offers adult and youth educational resources, sermon
starters, a bulletin insert (prayers and litany), and action steps for
congregations.

Materials for themes of prior years include climate change, energy and
faith, environmental health, food and farming, green building churches, land
and wilderness, and young adult fellowship.

Resources include those for biodiversity, the Chesapeake Bay, climate and
energy, environmental justice, faithful budgets and stewardship, analysis of
energy subsidies and poverty assistance programs.

Ecojustice includes all ministries designed to heal and defend Creation,
working to assure justice for all of Creation and the human beings who live in
it.

See http://www.creationjustice.org/earthday

Also in April:

1.  Soil and Water Stewardship Week, April 27-May 4, 2014, sponsored by your regional conservation district.  "Dig Deeper: Mysteries of the Soil" is the theme.  Educational materials for all ages and stewardship program insert/litany available.  Visit http://www.nacdnet.org/education/resources/digdeeper or call 1-888-695-2433 

2.  Earth Day, April 22, 2014.  "Green Cities" is the theme for over one billion people in 190 countries.  Sponsored by Earth Day Network (many partners).  http://www.earthday.org  

3.  Arbor Day, celebrated annually the last Friday of April, inspires people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.  http://www.arborday.org  

And, if you missed this at http://www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org, from Peter Bakken:

Sign Up Your Congregation Now for the Lutheran Energy Stewards Initiative!

ELCA congregations and camps can apply now (deadline is May 1, 2014) for the Energy Stewards Initiative (ESI), a one- to two-year national program beginning in June.

The program helps congregations track and reduce energy use, lower their carbon footprint, and free up funds for other ministries.

The first ten camps or congregations to sign up will receive a FREE copy of the EarthBound video series!

Learn more and apply at:

https://sites.google.com/a/lutheransrestoringcreation.org/www/Home/project-elca-cuts-carbon-emissions

You can also sign up for an informational webinar on March 25, 2014 (7:00 p.m. CT) at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5598175904190977281

 

 

Creation Corner Column: 2/14, Ten Commandments (environmental perspective)

The Ten Commandments: an environmental perspective

Exodus 20:1-17 (The Ten Commandments) reflected upon as nature is about to be reborn as Spring approaches. What can we do for God's Creation, the Earth?

1. Put God first, not the idol of your comfort, or economic materialism.
2. Do not worship nature.
3. Nature cannot be laid waste in God's name.
4. Honor the Earth. Seek to understand her, and work with her ways.
5. Avoid killing and poisoning the ecological system and its members.
6. Have a respectful regard for Creation; keep ourselves and the Earth good and pure.
7. Do not steal or make selfish use of forbidden fruit. If you do, the evolutionary balance God created will be upset, and nature will moan. We steal away the possibility of an inheritable earth, an inhabitable future, when we acidify the rain, deplete the protective ozone layer, add to global warming, lose species diversity, and cause deforestation.
8. Seeing the earth as our neighbor, we should speak well of her, defend her, explain her actions in the kindest way, overlook her weaknesses and mistakes, and speak only good of her. She is not to be betrayed or slandered or lied about. Nature is not to be challenged, exploited, or defeated.
9-10. When we do not covet anything of our neighbor's, we will not burn trash only to have our neighbor's space suffer its pollutants and wastes. We will not think we are wisely using earth's resources when we are actually leaving Creation poorer.

"The Earth is the Lord's": Thou shall not despoil it nor destroy the life thereon. That is a bold command. To set our attitudes and actions straight we should add: To preserve is worthy; to restore, divine.

The above was a Lenten meditation (March 16, 1994) by Lutheran layman Michael Ochs when he chaired the environmental task force of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lewisburg, PA. http://www.uss-elca.org/ .

Jan. '14 Creation Corner Column: Environmental Aphorisms, Quotes, Quips, etc. for the New Year

Environmental Aphorisms, Quotes, Quips, etc. for the New Year

Perhaps you are looking for some shorthand way to perceive God's good Earth, to motivate you on behalf of the integrity of Creation, or redeeming it. Consider the following in your search.

We've got to stop treating the Earth as dirt!

"The question is not what you look at, but what you see." Thoreau

"The children are our most endangered species." Daniel Berrigan SJ

Dilution is still pollution; it's no solution, merely delusion.

"The American people see themselves marching through wilderness, drying up marshes, diverting rivers, peopling the wilds, and subduing nature." Alexis de Tocqueville

"The earth is all we have in common. It is what we are made of and what we live from, and we cannot damage it without damaging those with whom we share it." Wendell Berry

"Food is the unifying fabric of humanity, connecting us to the earth and each other." Ed Kenney, chef

"If we do not permit the earth to produce beauty and joy, it will in the end not produce food either." Joseph Wood Krutch

If you can't spell it, or pronounce it, don't eat it.

"If economic growth and ecological health aren't reconcilable, which do we choose?" Jay Griffiths

"Our greatest problems result from the difference between how people think and how nature works." Gregory Bateson

"Anyone who thinks you can have infinite growth on a finite planet is either a madman or an economist." Quaker economist Kenneth Boulding

"We treat the earth like a business in liquidation." Herman Daly

"We are already fighting World War III, and I'm sorry to say we are winning it. It is the war against the Earth." Ray Dasmann

"What we most need to do is to hear within us the sound of the earth crying." Thich Nhat Hanh

"Zen is simple. Simple! So simple: Infinite gratitude to the past, infinite service to the present, infinite responsibility for the future." Goto, a Zen roshi in Japan

We are defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy.

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

"Leave the coal in the hole, the oil in the soil, the gas under the grass." unattributed saying

Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.

Renewable energy is homeland security.

One solution comes up every morning (the sun!).

Whenever there is a huge spill of solar energy, it's just called a nice day.

Renewable Energy: The Answer is Blowing in the Wind.

Renewable is Doable.

The climate is changing faster than we are.

Climate change is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of science.

"Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms." President Barack Obama

The Holy Land is Everywhere.

"There are no unsacred places. There are only sacred places and desecrated places." Wendell Berry

"Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain, for strip-mined mountains majesty, above the asphalt plains. America, America, man sheds its waste on thee, and hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea." George Carlin

I pledge allegiance to the Earth, and all the Life which it supports, One Planet, in our care, irreplaceable, with sustenance and respect for all. Unattributed

"Sing to the Lord, bless his name...Let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar...Let the fields exult...Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy." Psalm 96

"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain..." Romans 8:22

Blogger Michael Ochs lives in Williamsport, PA.

Dec. '13 Creation Corner: Holiday gift books on Ecology & Religion

For the secular environmentalist thinking religion has nothing to say about the Earth, or for the person of faith who is an environmentalist, or for yourself, consider these books for holiday giving.

The Bible and Ecology: Rediscovering the Community of Creation. Richard Bauckham.

The Blue Sapphire of the Mind: Notes for a Contemplative Ecology. Douglas E. Christie.

Consider the Birds: A Provocative Guide to Birds of the Bible. Debbie Blue.

Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics in a New Key. Larry L. Rasmussen.

God's Good World: Reclaiming the Doctrine of Creation. Jonathan R. Wilson.

Language of the Fields: Tilling and Keeping as Christian Vocation. Daniel G. Deffenbaugh.

Love Letter to the Earth. Thich Nhat Hanh.

Making Peace with the Land: God's Call to Reconcile with Creation. Fred Bahnson and Norman Wirzba.

Option for the Poor and for the Earth: Catholic Social Teaching. Donal Dorr (a revision of his 1992 text, Option for the Poor: A Hundred Years of Vatican Social Teaching).

Rebirth of the Sacred: Science, Religion and the New Environmental Ethos. Robert Nadeau.

The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder. William P. Brown.

Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision. Randy S. Woodley.

Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, editor (over 20 contributors to inter-faith essays).

Why Animal Suffering Matters: Philosophy, Theology, and Practical Ethics. Andrew Linzey.

Also of interest:

Carbon Fast (daily actions to reduce one's carbon imprint), free on-line at www.macucc.org/carbonfast .

The Peaceable Table: Journal of Christian animal concerns and compassionate eating. Free on-line at http://www.vegetarianfriends.net/ .