The Climate Crisis & Empowering Hope - Conference 2023
Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) is a national eco-justice network that cares for God’s creation by connecting, equipping, and inspiring Presbyterians. “The Climate Crisis & Empowering Hope” was held at Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center in Virginia, Sept. 20-23, 2023 and at satellite gatherings in Arkansas, Minnesota, and California.
Program for the Sept. 22 Berkeley Presentations
• Spiritual Care for Young People in a Climate Crisis, The Rev. Talitaha Amadea Aho, author of In Deep Waters
• Christian Based Approaches to Environmental Communication and Hope, Dr. Ron Amundson, Professor of Soil Science, UC Berkeley
• Ubuntu Philosophy & Ethics – We Are All Siblings from Mother Earth, Fr. Fikiri Deogratias, Jesuit priest from Republic of the Congo
• Eating and Living for a Healthy Planet, Dr. Suzanne Jones, Co-Author of Climate Friendly Cooking-111 Recipes to Help Save the Planet
• The Twin Crisis of Biodiversity Loss, Dr. Cherie Holcomb, PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology, UC Berkeley; retired in 2017 to do Climate Activism
• Witnessing Typhoons, Seeking Justice, A.G. Sano, renowned and multi-awarded Filipino artist & environmental activist who has painted over 1,000 murals in 16 countries, including the longest peace mural in the world.
• Carbon is Changing Our Planet: Consequences & Actions, Dr. Jefferey A. Reimer, Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Award, UC Berkeley; Dr. Reimer has won every teaching award given at UC Berkeley.
o visit the Conference website go to
https://presbyearthcare.networkforgood.com/events/57058-2023-pec-hybrid-conference
Check out these links for more information:
With a little help from our Community, here are more links ...
- From elementary students, "Guide to Going Green at Home"
Earth Justice Week 2022
• Saturday 4/22 ... 4pm Earth Day
Greening our Lives: The BPMH Community invites partner congregations to join them on Earth Day on Ashby Avenue at Regent during rush hour, (between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.) to promote life style changes that decrease the use of fossil fuel and promote other changes that mitigate the effects of climate change and contribute to the reversal of the climate crisis. Bring your signs, your families and your passion!
• Sunday 4/24 ... 10am
The Reverend Sally Juarez Preaches on Earth Justice
at St. John’s Presbyterian Church 2727 College Ave – Berkeley, CA 10:00 a.m. & on Zoom:
• Monday 4/25 ... 3:30pm - on Zoom
The Climate Crisis: Overview and Update
There have been major developments around the climate crisis in the last year. Art Paull and Gordon Gilmore will update us. We will hear a summary of how climate change works and why it is such a growing threat. We will learn more about a potential global “ tipping point“ and we will also begin to understand the concept of “feedback loops“ and how they work. We will discuss the huge and growing impacts of climate change on the global majority (the developing world). We will also hear a summary of the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We will also touch upon the role that specific factors - such as deforestation, transportation and air travel - play in this crisis. This will include some suggestions about what we, as individuals, can do to reduce these impacts.
Gordon Gilmore, PhD candidate in Philosophical Theology, a concentration in the Theology and Ethics department at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.
Arthur Paull, MSW , MTh and graduate of the Pacific School of Religion. 35-year career in the field of forensic mental health. Art is currently the President of the BPMH Board of Directors and a member of Montclair Presbyterian Church
• Monday 4/25 - 4pm - on Zoom
Spiritual Care For Our Younger Generation in the Climate Crisis
Most generations living on earth right now have a complacent attitude towards the looming climate crisis. - For the most part, we think, it won’t affect our lives in any serious way. But the younger generations do not have that luxury. - The existential threat of climate change hangs over them, resulting in an unprecedented crisis of spirit as these generations try to imagine what their future might be like in such an unstable world. This presentation will address how we minister to the younger generation as they grapple with the spiritual questions that emerge when contemplating the climate crisis.
Rev. Talitha Amadea Aho serves as a pastor at Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland, California, where she is responsible for children's and youth programming. She has been in ministry to the young since she was old enough to qualify as a chaperone at PC (USA) camps and churches. She holds an MDiv and an MA in biblical studies from SFTS and the GTU. Her forthcoming book, “In Deep Waters: Spiritual Care for Young People in a Climate Crisis” guides faith communities to address the spiritual crisis facing young people today.
• Tuesday 4/26 ... 4 pm - on Zoom
The Principle of Interconnectedness and Interdependence: A Call to Empower Youths, Victims of Environmental Degradation
The environmental crisis affects all the creatures on the earth. It is destroying present lives and threatens the existence of future generations. Youths are the most affected by climate change, and they will still endure the ecological sin and debt of this generation. Their future situation and well-being demand that they should neither be considered as helpless victims in need of support, nor as mere beneficiaries of gifts and empty promises. Instead, they should be allowed to use their capacities, talents, and abilities to be part of the solution and empowered to a level where they will build personal confidence to respond to the climate crisis. There are many ways of empowering youth to respond to the environmental crisis; however, for the purposes of this presentation, we will focus on eco-education, cultural formation, and ministerial/pastoral activities that instill responsible action and create ecological ambassadors.
Fr. Fikiri Deogratias SJ is a Jesuit priest from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is studying master's programs in theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara/ Berkeley. Prior to coming to the United States, he worked with university students in Congo-Kinshasa and Kenya-Nairobi, where he worked with youths on restoring the dignity of nature and the environment. His background studies have been in education, teaching, and philosophy. He is doing some research on environmental degradation that forces youths to migrate.
• Wednesday 4/27 ... 4pm - on Zoom
And Indeed, It Was Very Good
Did you know that we a have twin existential crisisthat is intertwined with, but distinct from, the climate emergency? Do you have any idea what it might be? Racial injustice? Toxic pollution? Natural disasters? Moral decay? In fact, it is something you might be unaware of, and yet it is recognized as so important to human survival that there is unified public policy to address it on the global, national, and California state levels. It is not often that we encounter this! The policy is referred to as “30 by 30”. The crisis is one of biodiversity loss: roughly one third of the world’s species are in danger of extinction due to human activity. We are busily “uncreating”. Choices about how we use our private and public lands and what we eat have profound repercussions. This workshop will introduce you to the causes of biodiversity loss, its intersectionality with the climate crisis and racial justice, explain “30 by 30”, and give examples of what we, as individuals, can do to partner with the divine in the keeping of God’s very good creation.
Dr. Cherie Holcomb has a B.S. degree in Cell Biology from the State University College system of New York, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Cellular Biology from the University of California at Berkeley. Post postdoctoral studies and a career in developing diagnostic tests and an automated system for use in tissue matching and detection of disease followed. Cherie retired to devote her time to environmentalism and activism with a focus on raising awareness of the twin crises of climate emergency and biodiversity loss. She believes we must take care to heal earth’s people with equity and give special attention to those who have been historically exploited and intentionally disadvantaged. Cherie focuses on living out this calling as a person of faith both within the church and while engaging in organizations outside of it. She currently leads a Creation Care and Climate Justice group at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley.
• Thursday4/28 ... 4pm - on Zoom
Do it All for the Glory of God: Eating for a Healthy Climate
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Most are aware that our combustion of fossil fuels is the dominant cause of climate change, but did you know there is another, largely hidden source responsible for as much as one-third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions? Scientists have shown us that even if fossil fuels were eliminated immediately, remaining emissions from the global food system alone would make it impossible to limit warming enough to prevent catastrophic climate change. Suzanne’s presentation will explain how our food system is contributing to the climate emergency, and offer science-based guidelines for reducing our climate “foodprint”. By being mindful of the environmental impact of our diets, our meals can become a joyful expression of our Christian values, honoring the right of children and all Creation to a safe climate and a livable future, all for the glory of God.
Dr. Suzanne Jones, Montclair Presbyterian Church: Suzanne’s greatest passion is working to leave today’s young people and all of God’s Creation a healthy and livable planet. As a member of Montclair Presbyterian Church (MPC), she helps lead the Earth Care Committee’s Climate and Food Team and recently co-authored MPC’s new cookbook, Climate Friendly Cooking—111 Recipes to Help Save the Planet. Suzanne founded and directed two open-space-protection organizations (in Richmond and Moraga) to encourage informed public participation in the land-use permitting process. She has represented environmental concerns in testimony and written comments on scores of land-use issues throughout Contra Costa County, and works closely with environmental groups and public agencies to protect natural habitats from over-development. She was a science-policy analyst in nuclear disarmament and arms control at Princeton University, and later in climate-change and energy policy at U.C. Berkeley. She holds a Master’s degree in physics from Stanford University and Ph.D. in particle physics from Cornell University.
• Friday 4/29 ... 4pm - on Zoom
The Science of Why We Don’t Believe (Climate) Science
During the past 30 years, social scientists have learned much about the unique connection between culture and human cognition, particularly concerning how we all selectively filter and chose information consistent with our values, and those of our cultural tribes. In the past decade, this cultural bias has become politically magnified, and impinges on a number of environmental issues, particularly the human causes of global climate change, and how to contend with it. Climate change is what policy analysts call a “Wicked Problem”, one with enormous complexity and numerous contributors. Simply, there are no simple solutions (such as the Green New Deal). While it is fair to say that clear pathways to the solution of Wicked Problems, and overcoming cultural opposition, is only in its infancy, some strategies have emerged as possible avenues:
1. Rebrand the problem (climate change) into an issue more consistent with the interests and values of present day opposition. For example, the “climate” problem is essentially an “energy” problem, and strategies to employ things like market-based approaches, nuclear energy, and national energy independence offer ways to contend with climate from multiple dimensions.
2. Find the appropriate messenger. Al Gore, AOC, etc. are never going to be successful messengers or people who succeed at cross-cultural partnerships.
Dr. Ron Amundson, Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley. Ron is a professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley. He specializes in soil chemistry, and recently has been engaged in the science and policy of soil carbon management as a proposed means of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the challenges to the earth.
• Friday 4/29 ... 5pm – on Zoom
The Gospel of Earth Justice – Some Good News!
The final words of our week of Earth Justice learning are positive. There are things happening all around the globe that can change the doomsday scenarios of which the scientists are warning. We will hear from members of the BPMH Creation Care team about these hopeful signs during the final 15-minute closure of our week together.
• Saturday 4/30 ... 12 Noon -2pm - In Person
Children’s Garden Planting
This year the BPMH Organic Community Garden will be replanted with and for our children. All of our children will be provided with seeds to plant and will be given instructions and supervision for the planting. They will be assigned their own personal tiny gardening space, which will be labeled with their name and the vegetable they planted and they will be listed on the watering schedule to take a turn to keep the seedlings watered and weeded. The planting of the Children’s garden will be undertaken with both agricultural and spiritual teaching moments!
To register for the programs of "Earth Justice Week" ... contact Rev. Sally Juarez
Earth Justice Week is co-sponsored by BPMH and the Mission & Justice Commission of St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Youth vs Gov, a Documentary
Directed by filmmaker and scientist Christi Cooper, YOUTH vs GOV is the story of America’s youth taking on the world’s most powerful government. In 2015, twenty one young plaintiffs, ages 8 to 19, filed the lawsuit Juliana vs the United States, asserting the U.S government is making a willful violation of their constitutional rights in creating our climate crisis. If they are successful, they will not only make history, they’ll change the future. The documentary tells the story of their ongoing journey.Watch the Trailer: https://www.youthvgovfilm.com/
Faith Climate Action Week: April 19-23, 2021
• Monday, April 19, 7pm PDT
Berkeley Presbyterian Mission Homes Global Faith Leaders on the Climate Crisis
A panel discussion of BPMH faith leaders on how climate change is impacting their countries and how/if their governments, environmental groups and the Church is responding. What will these faith leaders teach/model about the climate crisis when they go home.
PANELISTS
• Johnny Kashung, North Eastern India: Manipur
• Bright Singh David, Southern India: Kerola
• Linna Gunnaway: Indonesia La Hkawng: Myanmar
• Alice Kabaganwa: Rwanda
• Lucina Lopez Perez: Mexico
• HeeWon Jin: Korea
• Tuesday, April 20, 4pm PDT
Faith Perspectives on Climate Change: A Roman Catholic/Christian Perspective
Beginning fifty years ago Roman Catholic Church Leaders worldwide have called attention to the ecological issue as a crisis stemming from ill-considered exploitation of nature, a crisis which threatens our existence and alienates us from the world we live in. In May 2015, drawing on this developing awareness and in view of the planned United Nations December Paris Summit Conference on the Environment, Pope Francis issued a major Document, Laudato Si’, addressed to “every person living on this planet” inviting “dialogue with all people about our common home.” He invited leaders of other religious communities to do the same.
This presentation explores considerations that prompt religious attention to the climate crisis: (1) the inter-connectedness of the created order; (2) recognition of human beings as embedded in an evolving cosmos; (3) the need for a spirituality that flows from an integral ecology; (4) appreciation of the climate impact on the most vulnerable of the earth; (5) the moral responsibility of inter-generational justice; (6) the need for new economic models for sustainable development. It also provides a summary of the projections of climate scientists that undergird scientific and theological concern.
George Griener, S.J., Professor Emeritus of Historical and Systematic Theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Santa Clara and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. After a Bachelor of Science in Physics in Alabama, graduate studies in theology at the Toronto School of Theology, and a doctorate in theology from the University of Tübingen, Germany, Dr. Griener has taught at Loyola University New Orleans, and now at the Jesuit School of Theology since 1989. Several of his international doctoral students have focused on responses to the climate crisis, and he is Chair of the Climate Justice Committee of the Jesuit School of Theology. His recent research is on the interface between Christian Anthropology, Evolutionary Theory and Neuroscience.
• Wednesday, April 21, 4pm PDT
Laudato Si
Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical on the environment, advances magisterial Catholic Social Teaching to include interests and concerns of the environment. In other words, this document lays out the official Catholic social justice response to the climate crisis. Catholic Social Teaching, from 1891 until 2015 primarily focused on the rights of the most marginalized, especially the poor. This document expands the circle to include the natural world, a long-neglected moral concern for Christians.
This lecture will address special concerns relating to Pope Francis’s encyclical, including its methodological process of writing, the social conditions of our “technocratic paradigm,” a new understanding of “sin,” and the challenge of moving toward an “ecological conversion.” Pope Francis’s encyclical, addressed to all men and women of good will, demands a new orientation toward sister earth in line with the vision of the Pontiff’s namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi.
Levi Checketts, PhD is an adjunct professor of religious studies and philosophy at Holy Names University and an adjunct lecturer of Catholic Social Teaching at Santa Clara University. His research focuses on how new technologies change the world we live in and demand new moral responses. He has previously sat on the GTU’s Doctoral Council and is the 2018 Charles Townes Fellow at the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences. He is an associate youth pastor at Jesus Love Korean Methodist Church in Cupertino and is currently researching the hegemonic influence of AI and how it threatens the dignity of the poor.
• Thursday, April 22, 4pm PDT
Voice of the Future: Youth Climate Activists Speak Out
A Sustainable Diet is a presentation exploring the global food system and the consequences our diet can have on it. How do our dietary choices affect other countries and the lives of thousands of workers? How do our dietary choices affect underwater aquifers and global waterway systems? Every food item we buy is transported from somewhere and takes a certain amount of water, land, and energy to grow; the responsibility is handed to the consumer, to us, to make the right choices.
Karim Dergal is a high school senior in Miami, Florida. He is the co-founder of an educational outreach program at his high school. For two years, he, along with his peers, goes to different schools and hosts presentations on different environmental issues to raise awareness within the youth community. His passion for environmental science and advocacy has influenced him to pursue Environment and Sustainability in his coming years at Cornell University, among a group of the most brilliant and environmentally conscious student body.
Environmental Racism is a presentation which dives into the social injustices that occur which are related to the environment. The coming climate crisis presents many issues for the future, all of which are easily dealt with for people with wealth. The people who are already affected, and will continue to be affected, are marginalized minorities with little say in the matter. Only through educating the public and educating voters can we enact policies that can right these wrongs.
Corey Robinson is a high school junior in Miami, Florida. Having been involved in environmental activism since his first high school years, he has developed an affinity toward educating the public. He strongly believes in educating the public in environmental conservatism, because he states the environment is a resource which we have to use wisely. He has been involved in local government lobbying against environmentally damaging policies. Corey Robinson wants to pursue political science or mass communications in college to be able to reach wider audiences the right way.
• Friday, April 23, 4pm PDT
Homo Oikos Sacralis: Human Beings in the Environmental Crisis
Climate change is changing the world we live in and how we as humanity will live on planet earth. It becomes more and more obvious that climate change is a socio-environmental crisis that raises the question who we are as human beings. Myoung-ho Sin will suggest that the biblical creation story can offer an anthropology to see each other as members of the same household.
Myoung-ho Sin was born and raised in Germany as a child of Korean immigrants. After studying engineering, he decided to enter seminary in Korea where he was ordained. He continued his studies at the GTU and has successfully defended his dissertation last February. As a German he knows that every generation has its historical responsibility. As a European he believes that diversity can be a strength if we learn to work together. As a Korean who grew up in Germany he knows that minorities can contribute to make a society more just and promote peace. He and his wife Anna has been with BPMH since August 2019. They are expecting their first child, a boy, in August.
Saturday, April 24, 4pm PDT
Honoring Our Own Sacred Space
We will hold a masked and socially distanced ceremony for groups of 10 at a time outdoors on Saturday between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Presbyterian Mission Homes, 2918 Regent Street, Berkeley, to pay homage to the Ilone Tribe on whose land we live, to plant a new tree and to bless the new Community Garden. Everyone is invited! (The time for the St. John’s ceremony to be announced in separate email)
In preparation for this day and these plantings, you are asked the watch the film Kiss the Ground, available free by registering through Interfaith Power and Light, or through YouTube or Netflix. You can view this film anytime during the week that is convenient for you. If you have already seen the film, you may ignore the email.
* * *
The garden is rich with diversity
With plants of a hundred families
In the space between the trees
With all the colors and fragrances.
Basil, mint and lavender.
God keep my remembrance pure,
Raspberry, apple, rose,
God fill my heart with love,
Dill, anise, tansy,
Holy winds blow in me.
Rhododendron, zinnia,
May my prayer be beautiful
May my remembrance O God
Be as incense to thee
In sacred grove of eternity
As I smell and remember
The ancient forests of earth.
– Chinook Psalter