Faith-based Climate Action

Faith-Based Climate Action

UU marchers at the 2014 People’s Climate March in New York City. Credit Peter Bowden.

Guided by our 7th and 2nd Principles and our minister Jill’s  often-stated observation that climate change is the context for all we do as a religious community, the Faith-based Climate Action Team works to support  UUFC members and friends in ambitious, effective, collaborative action to (a) mitigate climate change, (b) build resilience and adaptations in the face of climate change, and (c) secure justice for those most impacted by, but least responsible for and with the fewest resources to thrive under climate change.

We work to (a) reduce and to take responsibility for carbon emissions, both as a facility and as members/friends, (b) support legislation and policy endorsed by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and frontline communities that furthers mitigation, adaptation/resilience, and climate justice, and (c) seek opportunities to follow the leadership of BIPOC and frontline communities in their work on climate change, adaptation/resilience, and justice.

Meetings

All are invited and encouraged to participate. Contact: Jed Irvine <jedirv@gmail.com> or Michael Hughes <michael.a.hughes1951@gmail.com>

Good News

Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni: Nearly 1 Million Acres of Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon Safeguarded

National Park Service Awards Over $603,000 to Indian Country and Native Hawaiian Organizations

After Decades Of Oil Drilling, Indigenous Waorani Group Fights New Industry Expansions In Ecuador

Tribe getting piece of Minnesota back more than a century after ancestors died there

Philippines: Indigenous knowledge takes on climate crisis

Sustainability push: Pacific Northwest to take a green turn in potato farming

Producers  protecting and restoring our lands

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets. This is why

On the last day of winter, Australia reached record 37.5 pct renewables share for the year 

Electrify America begins operations at 75MW ‘Solar Glow 1’ site

EU fossil fuel burning for electricity fell to lowest on record in 2023, data shows

Coal Stabbed In The Back Again By New Floating Solar Array 

Striking Gold – A Molecular Mystery Solution for Potential Clean Energy

Powered by wind, this $10B transmission line will carry more energy than the Hoover Dam 

Philippines’ Largest Inland Lake To Host Large-Scale Floating Solar Projects Producing Up To 1,800MW 

U.S. Solar Panel Shipments Increased 10% Last Year

Toothpaste Tub

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Climate Action Opportunities

There is no more important climate work than the influencing of legislation and policy, whether at the national, state, or local level. Climate Action Opportunities, refreshed weekly on Saturdays, provides three or four curated, quick opportunities to do just that.

To help assess the engagement of UUFC members and friends in faith-based climate action and to encourage such action, please anonymously  <Share> the number of the actions below you take this week. Optionally, you may  anonymously also share other recent climate action. 

The organizations whose calls to action we amplify, and the number from each organization, are listed <here>

Sat 9 Sep

EarthJustice

Steel-mill Emissions: The 10 steel mills operating in the U.S. release more than 500 tons of toxic metals into the air each year. Despite the need for stronger protections, the EPA has proposed a weak rule to regulate those emissions. Urge EPA to strengthen the rule

Native Organizers Alliance

Block new oil & gas leases: President Biden has committed to honor Tribal treaties and recognize nation-to-nation relationships with Tribes, but he has undermined his promises by approving harmful fossil fuel projects despite Indigenous opposition. Using his current authority, President Biden can block new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, and deny federal permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines.  Start Writing

Sierra Club

Oregon State Forests: Oregon’s Board of Forestry will soon decide the fate of a long-awaited Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to manage state forests. It is  important for the Board to hear from Oregonians who value healthy forests, strong salmon runs, clean water, recreation, and climate resilience! Take Action

UUs for Social Justice

Climate-Smart Farm Bill: The 2023 Farm Bill presents an important opportunity to create a food and agricultural system that provides healthy food for all while helping to avoid a climate crisis and improving equity for consumers and producers. A climate-smart farm bill can achieve many important goals: protecting soil fertility, improving water quality, helping farmers cope wit

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Save the Date

Tue 12 Sep, 4:00 PM, online

Clean Energy Revolution: What’s the Next Big Step? It’s been one year since President Biden signed the historic Inflation Reduction Act, an unprecedented investment into clean energy. Since the signing, over 211 clean energy projects have been announced across 38 states—a true clean energy revolution! Or so we’re hoping. So far, countless clean energy projects have faced challenges with grid transmission, interconnection, and siting. The clean energy revolution is at risk of being stopped right in its tracks. At this webinar you’ll hear from experts on the most impactful policies for responsible transmission, interconnection, and siting reforms. Register

Thu 14 Sep, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Corvallis-Benton Co.Public Library 

“GROWING A VEGETABLE GARDEN” LECTURE SERIES

Shonnard’s nursery manager/educator Darren Morgan on how to tend your garden soil, from soil testing and amending to cover crops, mulch and other methods of covering for nutrients, controlling weed growth, and allowing earlier spring planting. 

Sun 17 Sep, 2:00 -4:00 PM, Central Park Gazebo

Local rally to support the NYC March to End Fossil Fuels, prior to the Sept. 20th UN Climate Ambition Summit, urging world leaders to commit to phasing out fossil fuels.  Our house is on fire! All hands on deck!! Join the bucket brigade to muster climate action and nurture hope. Speakers, music, skits, chants, art, and tabling info by climate groups.  Please walk, bike, bus, scoot, or carpool to the rally.

Sun 17 Sep,  5:45 – 7:15 PM, Natural Grocers, 1235 NW 10th Street

WHOLE FOOD PLANT-BASED POTLUCK   We are vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores who are attempting to eat and/or learn more about the health benefits of a WFPB diet. First time attendees do not need to bring a dish. RSVP for more details about this monthly potluck; usually the 3rd Sun. 

Wed 20 Sep, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online

Eco-municipality Webinar 1:  Virtually visit the rural Arctic Circle, Swedish community, Overtornea, that was inspired to rise up from population loss and other hardships by taking an ecological and participative approach to economic revitalization. Join us to celebrate their 40 years and to learn about the evolution and ongoing success of the eco-municipality of Overtornea with the founder and leader of the Swedish Eco-Municipality Movement, Torbjorn Lahti, co-author of The Natural Step for Communities.  Register

Thu 21 Sep, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Common Fields, 545 SW 3rd Street

INVASIVE ASH BORER AND AREA FORESTS   Ecology Pub Talk by Jennifer Killian, City of Corvallis Urban Forester, presenting information on the invasive Emerald Ash Borer and its impact on area forests. A portion of food/beverage sales benefits Marys River Watershed.

THUR 21 SEP 21, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. Online option, contact: audubon.corvallis@gmail.com

“The importance of Fire in Ecosystem Restoration” Aaron Groth

Wed 18 Oct, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online

Eco-municipality Webinar 2:  Virtually visit the eco-municipality of Karlskrona in the south of Sweden. Learn about the science-based framework of the Swedish network of ecomunicpalities, SEKOM, and the Karlskrona eco-municipality.  Register

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Last Year  (2021-22)

Using five strategies (advocacy, reduction of carbon emissions directly, education, developing policy decisions, and maintaining infrastructure) members and friends worked together to accomplish much  in 2021-22:

Strategy #1: Advocate 

Strategy #2: Reduce Carbon Emissions Directly 

  • The Toward Net Zero Project, in collaboration with the UUFC Buildings Team, was awarded a $10,000 City loan to improve the energy efficiency of our existing building.
  • The TreesProject, in collaboration with the City of Corvallis Urban Forestry program, planted 12 oak trees  in a low-and-moderate income Corvallis neighborhood.
  • The Campus Habitat Project, in collaboration with UUFC Grounds and UUFC Youth Religious Exploration, installed six bird nesting-boxes to encourage and support native birds.

Strategy #3: Educate and share hope

  • The Toward Net Zero Project hosted  a Wednesdays-in-April (Earth month) series of Zoom presentations on ways we can take action to reduce emissions.  
  • The Toward Net Zero Project is providing opportunities, encouragement, and support for members/friends to reduce and take responsibility for personal emissions.
  • Climate Solution Happenings is posted monthly in UUFC newsletter, along with other frequent communications on Mighty Network and the 7th Principle Google group. 
  • The Climate Action Team hosted a three-session Religious Exploration course “Climate action as spiritual practice”.
  • The Climate Action Team was key in the work to have Justice councils and teams consider racial and climate justice issues in their 2022-23 and future budgets.
  • In collaboration with the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Team, the Climate Action Team is beginning to operationalize anti-racism and climate lenses to inform the work of councils and teams.

Strategy #4: Develop Policy Decisions

The UUFC Board:

       a) declared a climate emergency,

       b) established the Carbon Reduction and Responsibility Fund, and 

       c) joined the Renew Oregon and Divest Oregon collaboratives.  

Strategy #5: Maintain infrastructure to support other strategies

  • A space for the Climate Action Team was developed and maintained on Mighty Network. 

Latest Updates on CAT’s 2022-23 Work

Active projects include:

  1. Climate Lens:  This effort has two goals.  First, to empower UUFC teams with tools to help keep climate impacts in mind during decision making.  Second, to help UUFC teams inspire each other to make commitments around climate impacts and climate justice. Jed Irvine, <jedirv@gmail.com>.
  2. Legislative Action:  Often in collaboration with other UUFC Justice teams, we work to influence climate-related policy and legislation at the state and national level.  Deborah Clark, <deborah.clark@lifetime.oregonstate.edu>.
  3. Net Zero:  The top priority of this project is to reduce UUFC’s carbon emissions, both as an institution and in the personal lives of members and friends.  We then help facilitate taking responsibility for residual emissions by UUFC and its members and friends.  Michael Hughes, <michael.a.hughes1951@gmail.com>.
  4. Trees: UUFC members and friends plant and care for trees on our campus and, in collaboration with the Corvallis Urban Forestry program, across our broader community.  John Bailey, <bailey61@comcast.net>.  Also, members and friends purchase Willamette Valley Ponderosa Pine holiday trees, which we will plant after the holidays. Scott Bruslind <sbruslind@gmail.com>
  5. Interfaith Collaboration:  We work with the Corvallis Interfaith Climate Justice Committee to encourage faith-based climate action in the Corvallis and surrounding communities. Nick Houtman <houtman58@gmail.com>
  6. Build Back Better Beyond Net Zero: However many trees wind up coming down as a result of the building expansion, the web of life, ongoing carbon uptake, and carbon release will each be negatively impacted. But with commitment, work, and time (with time measured in years, even decades) we can more than make up for those negative impacts.   
    • The web of life: With new planting, our campus can become a more vibrant host to that web without the felled trees than it is now with them.
    • Carbon uptake: Through off-campus tree planting, more carbon can be sequestered each year than is currently accomplished by the felled trees.
    • Carbon release:   By investment in the UUFC  <Carbon Reduction and Responsibility Fund>, more carbon can be prevented from being added to the atmosphere than will be added by the felled trees.

Michael Hughes, <michael.a.hughes1951@gmail.com>

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