Guest Column: Faith leaders in Michigan are ready for climate action

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(Note: Faith leaders around the country are speaking out for our government to take concrete actions to address climate change. Here is an excerpt of a guest column by Father Charles Morris in the Michigan Advance newspaper on July 29).

Even as we turn the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, a feat that President Joe Biden himself came to Michigan over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate, many in our state still find our faith challenged by the ongoing climate crisis.

Severe flooding trapped drivers in Detroit and prompted emergency rescues last month, while other parts of our state are now gearing up for wildfires as exceptionally dry, hot conditions continue. All these climate catastrophes are made more frequent and severe by climate change, and it is clear something must be done.

Faith leaders from across the country have united in their call for a bold recovery and an infrastructure package that will help us rebuild in a way that makes us stronger than ever before. The clean energy transition is the future, and we’re counting on Congress to turn this vision into a reality. Faith leaders – across all denominations – are calling on members of Congress to support passing this monumental legislation to help families get back on their feet, protect our public health and preserve our beloved environment.   Read Full Article

 

Sister Joan Presents at Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap Webinar

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Sister Joan Brown was one of several international guests invited to present at the Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap Webinar on Monday, July 26. The purpose of the webinar was to discuss

  • the Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap, commissioned by the International Energy Agency (IEA),
  • the State of Maine’s groundbreaking legislation to divest from fossil fuels
  • a pathway for Catholic community to end fossil fuels globally and in the countries of a Global South and shift every Catholic institution onto a renewable and low carbon path.

Here is the whole program on YouTube.  Sister Joan’s presentation starts about minute 57.

The Tree-Planting Legacy of an Activist, Friend and Mentor

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May be an image of 3 people, people standing and outdoors“We are honored to partner with the City and to contribute to your plan of planting 10,000 trees a year for the next ten years. You may be pleased to know that at the Nov. 12 event Joan Brown of Interfaith Power and Light and Rachel Sternheim from Congregation Albert expressed interest in planting trees through interfaith efforts. We plan to follow up on this and would like to meet with the City when I am back from India in early spring next year,” Manjeet Kaur Tangri wrote in a letter to Mayor Tim Keller in November 2019.

The local Sikh community made the commitment to plant trees locally as part of the 550 birthday celebration for  Guru Nanak’s 550 Gurpurb, founder of the Sikh tradition.

Manjeet, who was very influential in the creation of NM-IPL’s Forest of Bliss tree-planting campaign, passed away this past week surrounded by loving family.

“As president of the board of the Albuquerque Sikh Gurdwara, her leadership–and her work as an activist, friend, and mentor–will be sorely missed by all that knew her. She was dedicated to social justice, peace, sustainability, and protection of the environment, among other issues. The Forest of Bliss tree-planting project will continue in her memory,” said Ahiran Singh, community liaison for the Albuquerque Sikh Gurudwara.