For the Love of Creation - A Faith-based Initiative for Climate Justice

Canadian churches and faith-based organizations have a long history of work in ecological conservation, environmental activism, and advocacy for climate justice. To mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we are coming together on a journey of reflection, dialogue, discernment, advocacy, and action on the issue of climate change. You are invited to journey with us.

For the Love of Creation - A Faith-based Initiative for Climate Justice begins today with the support of a growing list of national churches, Christian international development agencies, and faith-based organizations. We come together as people of faith in the hopes of making a meaningful contribution in the next decade towards a sustainable future for all life on the planet.

Never before has the interconnectedness of all humanity – all of creation – been clearer than it is right now. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has dramatically impacted every aspect of our lives. As is too often the case in times of difficulty, existing vulnerabilities are being exacerbated; many are dying and many more face economic ruin. The way we respond is of paramount importance.

Even before the emergence of COVID-19, we knew that we were entering into a crucial decade for climate action. Now more than ever, we see devastating economic, political, cultural, and social fissures. Indigenous peoples have long reminded us of the interconnectedness of all creation. Respecting this interconnectedness is critical for ecological and economic integrity, right relations with Indigenous peoples, and for holistic recovery from the pandemic.

For the Love of Creation aims to engage people individually and in community, as congregations and organizations, all across the country in a climate conversation centred on three themes: 

1.       Theological reflection. Together, we will create a space for collaborative responsive theology, exploring our relationship with the Creator and creation, and encouraging theologically grounded and relevant dialogue about climate justice and global warming.

2.       Local and congregational engagement. We will endeavour to increase dialogue and reduce polarization in the climate change conversation in Canada; to build consensus on the actions needed to build a sustainable future for all.

3.       Political advocacy. As people of faith, we will urge the government of Canada to meet and ultimately exceed our Paris climate commitments by investing in a just transition and establishing a fair and inclusive economy. Honouring the rights of Indigenous peoples and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and experience into any proposed solutions is essential to this work.

Our contribution will also respond to feelings of ecological grief arising from the loss of species and destruction of ecosystems as well as eco-anxiety stemming from the awareness of risks related to climate change impacts. This will be done through pastoral care and ceremony, building community resilience, and by taking collective action for climate justice.

For the Love of Creation will explore how we can work together to build healthy, resilient communities, and a better future for all beings in Creation. 

The churches and organizations listed below have committed to working together for at least the next eighteen months; beginning in the fall of 2021 participants will recommit on a year-by-year basis. 

We invite you to join us, For the Love of Creation.

For more information or to get involved, contact a member of the campaign coordinating committee:

Participants to date: The Anglican Church of Canada (Primate and National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop); Development and Peace - Caritas Canada; Canadian Religious Conference; Citizens for Public Justice; The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Faith & the Common Good; Global Catholic Climate Movement Canada; KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives; Mennonite Central Committee Canada; The Presbyterian Church in Canada; The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF); Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada; OMI Notre Dame du Cap; OMI Lacombe Province; Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie; Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception; Scarboro Missions; Our Lady’s Missionaries; Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.

 

 

50th Anniversary - Earth Day 2020

On April 22 1970 environmental fears mobilized 10 percent of American population, or 20 million people to demonstrate and demand from world leaders, a new strategy to save our environment.   Propelling this demonstration forward, was the unified response of ordinary people, who seized the opportunity/crises, from events such as the “oil spills, smog, river being so polluted that they literally caught on fire”.  To this day, solidifying a unified response to this problem, from world leaders, has been slow and ineffective. 

Perhaps some of the resistance is due to the fact, we live in a mechanistic age, lacking in “creativity, innovation, ambition and bravery, to meet our climate crises and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future.”  In these turbulent times a new vision for the future is imperative, as we work together towards transformative change, in ourselves and our entire world.  However, it is imperative we maintain hope for progress leading to solutions against global warming.   

Currently, I want to imagine, that the coronavirus sweeping the world will be like a “thin edge of the wedge”, to open the door for a more unified response to our global environmental crises. Deep in our bones and DNA, we know that not addressing climate change, endangers not just the lungs and life of people, but of all creation, above, below, in the oceans, earth, and high into the stratosphere of our beautiful sky, mountains and solar system.  

Let us follow the example of former TV news anchor Walter Cronkite.  He kept a photo of the earth taken from space, “Earthrise” from Apollo 8, on his desk, to remind him of “The Earth’s Fragility”.  Art is of value, because art has the ability to shift consciousness, to help the viewer wonder and see things in new ways. It is my belief we will evolve with greater intimacy and commitment to mother earth. By changing inconsistent patterns and using our imagination, we are capable of finding a creative new global agreement. We can. We will. We must.

Visit www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/ and discover activities happening on Earth Day in your neighbourhood,  around our world, and also the history of Earth Day.

- Sister Patricia St. Louis, csj

 

 

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Blue Community Update

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EARTH DAY EVENTS

Earthrise Screening Party with Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee

“Earthrise" tells the story of the first image captured of the Earth from space in 1968. This iconic image had a powerful impact on the Apollo 8 astronauts and the world. Told 50 years later, "Earthrise" compels us to remember this shift and to reflect on the Earth as a shared home. There will be time after the screening for a live discussion with Emmanuel and a moderated Q&A with the audience.

When: Apr 22, 2020 3:00 PM

Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HyUfD50sQ_CUbycTEw6bwQ

New 90 minute film: OUR WATER

Four friends kayaked around Lake Superior to help raise awareness of the pristine waters and landscapes they behold. Sharing stories and values of what makes our backyard to important to us and those that live with it. Ryan Busch will be live on Facebook to answer questions.

When: April 22, 2020 from 7:00-8:30 pm EST Watch the film and engage with the makers at: https://www.fourthewater.com/

ENCOURAGING NEWS

Council of Canadians Announcement In an email from Vi Bui (Blue Communities Coordinator for the Council of Canadians) announced:

I’m writing today to bring to you some good news. A few weeks ago, Vancouver City Council voted to become the second largest Blue Community in Canada… That means that one in four residents in British Columbia live in a community that has committed to protecting water as a human right, banning bottled water, and saying no to privatization of water and wastewater services.

See more here.

When youth carry the weight of the world

These young activists have proven to their communities and the world that there is no time like the present to make a change.

  • 11 year-old Stella Bowles wanted to swim in the river near her home in Bridgewater, N.S. but it was contaminated. She took action. After a couple months, Bridgewater officials announced they would be funding $15.7-million to clean the rivers and remove the 600 straight pipes that were contaminating the waters.

  • In her final year of high school, Emma-Jane Burian from Burnaby, B.C. plans climate justice strikes on the first Friday of every month.

  • Known as a water protector, Makaśa Looking Horse is from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and fights for water rights – especially against Nestlé’s bottled water permits.

    Read the full story

Watch on Netflix/In the News

  • Canadian actor Ellen Page brings attention to the injustices and injuries caused by environmental racism in her home province, in this urgent documentary on Indigenous and African Nova Scotian women fighting to protect their communities, their land, and their futures. From the TIFF website.

  • The CSJ Blue Community project sponsored the documentary, There’s Something in the Water, for a Peterborough community screening. Now you can watch it on Netflix whenever you like.

  • In related news, this CBC article updates us about the recent closure of a mill that polluted Pictou Landing for decades. This story is featured in the above documentary There’s Something in the Water. Read the full story

  • While not specific to water issues, the privatization of long-term health care has dire consequences for the quality of care for society’s most vulnerable. Read the full story that is also playing out across Canada during this COVID-19 virus crisis.

PROJECT UPDATES

Public Health & the Right to Clean Water – a new blog post. The recent spread of COVID-19 across the world shows the gaps in our collective preparedness and many systemic and social inequalities. For instance, how do people wash and disinfect their hands without access to clean and affordable water? Read more