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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:

2023 Climate Change Summit
Urgent Action Items
Education Opportunities

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.

 

 

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

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.

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