October 26–28, 2020 | Durham, NC

Abstract for Session 2D: Monday 4:00–5:00

Session 2D
Creating a Carolinas Faith Leaders Network Towards an Adaptive and Resilient Future, Part 2
SENATE

Convened Session  Creating a Carolinas Faith Leaders Network Towards an Adaptive and Resilient Future

Rev. Michael McClain — Creation Justice Ministries
Marilynn Marsh-Robinson — Environmental Defense Fund
Tim Judson — Nuclear Information & Resource Services
Chris Carnevale — Southern Alliance for Clean Energy


[Continuation of Session 1D]

The “Carolinas Climate Resilient Faith Leaders Network” was recently established as a coalition working with faith communities to identify and implement positive, hope-filled responses to climate change as a moral imperative.

In 2017 the directors of NC Interfaith Power & Light, Sustaining Way, and Kingdom Living Temple came together to discuss our programs on-going challenges and frustrations in not being able to accomplish what we know we could if we just had the appropriate level financial support to implement our community -based initiatives. This led us our three organizations to jointly apply for support through U.S. Climate Action Network’s grassroots and collaboration grant program. Working together the coalition made possible a re-launch of SC Interfaith Power & Light that now operates as a part of Sustaining Way. In 2018 the coalition expanded by bringing in four additional organizations: Creation Justice Ministries, Nuclear Information & Resource Services, Environmental Defense Fund, & Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Our various “Faith in Action” campaigns support lay and ordained faith leaders to develop their individual faith voices to apply to appropriate local and state-level energy and climate issues, with goals to develop relationships with elected officials, and participate in constructive and collaborative ways to influence energy policy and foster local and state-wide resilience.

Although motivating congregations to implement adaptation strategies is a major target, we know that many of our constituents have not yet made the connections between their own lives and how climate change already is affecting daily life. Engaging faith communities in “climate conversations” about local impacts leads people not only to prepare for impending disasters, but also to be inspired to prevent them preemptively.

In this workshop we will share lessons learned and facilitate group discussions about how we are building power from the grassroots of the faith communities; publicly campaign against fossil fuels and towards renewable energy; and working collectively for just social and economic transitions as we inspire community-based strategies for an adaptive and resilient future for all.

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