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Resources & Response to the Wildfires

The following resources have been compiled to support all those impacted by the present crisis

Urgent Action Items
Community Liaisons

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 16, 2023. The program featured presentations from Dr. Lucy Jones, Kate Varley, Steve Slaten, the Rev. Daniel Tamm, and Lisa Markus. Read a full report on the summit here.

Click below for further resources and to view initiatives that require urgent action:

Commission Co-Chairs

The Rev. Payton Hoegh | Contact: pwhoegh@ladiocese.org

The Rev. Daniel Tamm | Contact: danieltamm@gmail.com

Commission Participants

In addition to Bishop John Harvey Taylor and the co-chairs, 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 can be viewed here.

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.

 

 

The Episcopal Church Creation Care Ministry
Sustainability & Solar Power Resources
Disaster Preparedness & Climate Resilience
Climate Change Educational Resources
Political Policy & Environmental Advocacy
Spiritual Formation Resources

 

Green Tips & Creation Care Commentary

Use in your church bulletin to nourish ecological faith in your congregation & community

Opt For Digital (Electronic) Receipts Wherever Possible

According to Green America, every year in the US, receipt use consumes over three million trees and nearly nine billion gallons of water. Receipt production creates nearly 300 million pounds of solid waste and emits the greenhouse gas equivalent to over 400,000 cars on the road each year. And most thermal paper receipts are coated with BPA or BPS, exposing those who regularly touch receipts to these toxic chemicals. When given the option, select digital receipts and encourage businesses to offer this option. For more information, check https://www.greenamerica.org/skip-the-slip.

Speaking of reducing paper waste, a polite reminder that we encourage congregants to bring a mobile device or tablet to services to reduce the need to print weekly bulletins, which are usually used and discarded or recycled immediately after services. Cutting down this need will reduce the need to cut down trees, with the added benefit of significantly reducing costs to the church.

Click Here to view our full Green Tip Archive

Many thanks to Gloria Sefton & Kathy Cartelli for graciously sharing these Green Tips as church bulletin resources for Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

Climate Change Updates from the Episcopal News