Climate and Energy Initiatives
Why is the faith community concerned about global climate change?
It is a matter of justice.
Brief History:
Since our founding in 2002, Voices for Earth Justice has worked with individuals, faith communities, and Michigan's environmental community, to promote clean energy, energy conservation, and public policies that lower carbon pollution. In 2006 we distributed "Toward the Common Good: An Energy Charter from Michigan's Faith Communities" to the MI State legislature and many other policy makers and congregational leaders.
We offer presentations, workshops, and retreats on climate and energy from a faith perspective. Call us at 248-351-9001 or mailto:[email protected] to request a presentation tailored for your group.
It is a matter of justice.
- Justice for poor people who will be most severely impacted by changing weather and rising seas, and who have the least capacity to adapt.
- Justice for future generations who will inherit an unstable climate and potentially catastrophic rises in sea level, migration of tropical diseases, and disrupted agricultural production.
- Justice for all of Creation that is threatened by climate change.
Brief History:
Since our founding in 2002, Voices for Earth Justice has worked with individuals, faith communities, and Michigan's environmental community, to promote clean energy, energy conservation, and public policies that lower carbon pollution. In 2006 we distributed "Toward the Common Good: An Energy Charter from Michigan's Faith Communities" to the MI State legislature and many other policy makers and congregational leaders.
We offer presentations, workshops, and retreats on climate and energy from a faith perspective. Call us at 248-351-9001 or mailto:[email protected] to request a presentation tailored for your group.
In the school year 2007-2008, with the support of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, we distributed CFL bulbs to 5,000 fifth graders in 48 private and public schools in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, as part of "Change a Lightbulb, Change the World". The students were taught a simple message of environmental stewardship by retired teachers. Their classroom teachers also received a lesson plan packet to continue the discussion.
Voices for Earth Justice began the Detroit Youth Energy Squad in 2008, with the assistance of WARM Training, Detroit, a leader in energy efficiency training in Michigan. The Detroit Youth Energy Squad (D-YES) empowers individuals, especially youth, to make their communities more energy efficient and become leaders in Michigan’s green economy.
In 2010, D-YES transitioned to WARM training, now known as Ecoworks, where the program continues to grow in service to young people and the community.
The Catholic Climate Covenant provides prayers, speakers, educational materials, and video (see video below) for Catholic schools, parishes, campuses and many other groups. Contact Patty Gillis, an ambassador for the Covenant at 248-351-9001.
"Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude." ---Pope Francis, May 21, 2014
"Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude." ---Pope Francis, May 21, 2014