The Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change invite’s diocesan congregations, schools, institutions and individuals to commemorate Earth Day with bell ringing, prayer, or meditation for a symbolic 7 minutes, eight seconds (equivalent to 425 seconds); 425 represents the present level of CO₂ as parts per million in Earth’s atmosphere – the highest in millions of years.* As a significant greenhouse gas, scientists warn that this intense concentration of CO₂ has severe impacts on global temperature, sea levels, and is a key contributor to the climate crisis. 

By ringing our church bells in alarm and moving as an Episcopal community in prayer, meditation, and action, our diocese is responding to the charge of the House of Bishops during the 80th General Convention in 2022: “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…We, God’s faithful, are called to share the hope that will empower change.”

Download Ring Out for Earth resources including prayers and meditation guidance here. 

*CO₂ level as measured by the Keeling Curve, https://keelingcurve.ucsd.ed