Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change
Responding to the urgent global and local needs of the current environmental crisis, the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, comprising more than 20 members appointed from across the diocese, is actively engaged in these priorities:
- Advocating for a better response in the U.S. to climate change priorities
- Educating diocesan congregations, schools, institutions, and individuals in addressing climate change
- Engaging General Convention legislation calling dioceses, congregations, and individuals to action
- Increasing preparedness for natural disasters and responsiveness when they occur
In addition, the Commission is bringing attention to intersections of food insecurity and racial justice; tracking of federal, statewide, regional and local legislation; and development of an anthology of online resources. The role of youth and young adults, together with local schools and seminaries is also key.
Impetus for launching the Commission in March 2022 includes Diocesan Convention’s 2021 Margaret Parker Lecture given by Mary Nichols, parishioner of St. James’, Los Angeles, and a former longtime chair of the California Air Resources Board, who spoke just after her return from the United Nations COP26 meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. View her lecture here.
The Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change offered its first annual Climate Change Summit at St. Paul’s Commons in Echo Park on Saturday, September 16th. The program featured presentations from Dr. Lucy Jones, Kate Varley, Steve Slaten, Rev. Daniel Tamm, and Lisa Markus. Read a full report on the summit here.
Click below to view the recorded program and to view initiatives that require urgent action:
Commission Chair
The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy | Contact: melissamccarthy@ladiocese.org
Commission Participants
In addition to Bishop John Harvey Taylor and The Rev. Can. Melissa McCarthy, commission participants include:
- Canon Robert Williams, diocesan staff liaison and canon for common life; parishioner at St. James in the City, Los Angeles
- Full List of Commission Members to come.
The commission meets virtually each month.
About the Commission on Climate Change’s Work
During the Episcopal Church’s 80th General Convention, the House of Bishop’s named the climate crisis an urgent concern that affects all issues of social justice. In a statement issued on the final day of the gathering, they proclaimed:
“As people of faith, we are not without hope, but the sustainability of God’s creation demands our action. Confronting climate change and environmental degradation has never been more urgent. As members of The Episcopal Church, we are committed in baptism to resist evil, seek God’s will, treat all people with dignity, and strive for justice and peace. Living into these promises, we must face the climate crisis for the sake of love of God and neighbor”
As part of this vital work, The Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change is committed to keeping congregations and communities of the Diocese of Los Angeles informed and inspired as we collaboratively respond to the developing climate crisis. The commission meets regularly to discuss developments, analyze priorities, and mobilize collective action.
Resource Guide
The Commission on Climate Change has compiled resources in key areas of interest and insight that will support parishes in the work of implementing sustainability and resiliency measures while connecting to the spiritual grounding that guides us in the work of creation care, Earth healing, and climate advocacy. Select a category to learn more about how you and your congregation can be involved.
To schedule an educational program, Climate Change 101: Hope is a Renewable Resource, for your congregation, click here.
For a general list of Climate Change resources including organization links, articles, books, practical and spiritual resources, click here.
Green Tips & Creation Care Commentary
Use in your church bulletin to nourish ecological faith in your congregation & community
May 1, 2024
Do you really need paper towels?
The production of paper towels can hurt the environment by contributing to deforestation, which in turn leads to habitat loss, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and, therefore, rising global temperatures.
Additionally, paper towels are single use, which means you use them once before immediately tossing them in landfill trash. According to the U.S. EPA, paper and cardboard waste, of which paper towels are a contributing factor, make up the largest percentage of waste materials in the U.S.
Paper towels also come wrapped in plastic, which we know is bad for the environment because plastic uses fossil fuels for production and ends up as non-biodegradable waste.
The good news is that paper towels are almost always optional. Viable alternatives will still help you wipe, dry, and clean without all the negative impacts on the environment. Choose cloth rags, old kitchen towels or T-shirts, and sponges for cleaning purposes instead. You can toss these in cold water wash and re-use them hundreds of times.
If these alternatives don’t work for your situation, choose more eco-friendly paper towels, like those made from 100% recycled materials. These types of paper towels don’t contribute to devastating deforestation and often forgo dyes, fragrances, and inks that can also contribute to pollution. Recycled paper towel production also requires less energy and less water.
Climate Change Updates from the Episcopal News
Climate change commission asks congregations to ‘ring out’ for Earth Day
[The Episcopal News] The Education Committee of the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has proposed that Earth Day 2024 be commemorated with the first annual “Ring Out for Earth.” The committee invites every parish, mission,...
As leadership changes, Seeds of Hope expands food justice ministry
[The Episcopal News] Steve Trapasso had just finished a food giveaway and cooking demonstration, turning fresh vegetables into nutritious cauliflower soup for residents of West Hollywood apartments, and was headed back to the Seeds of Hope storage hub. “Every Tuesday...
Lester Mackenzie, Episcopal Church rep to COP28, reports that church’s influence is growing – but so is climate menace
[The Episcopal News] The 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, included a first-time ever faith pavilion with an intentional focus on the voices of Indigenous people, but left the Rev. Lester Mackenzie...