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February 8, 2023, at 10 a.m. PST - the monthly installment of UCC's Creation Justice Webinars will address the Land Back Movement, which has been succinctly described as the generations-long struggle to put “Indigenous lands back into Indigenous hands.” Register here. In this webinar, organizers and practitioners within the movement will place the struggle within the context of dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery and the ongoing work of reparatory justice. Current efforts will be discussed and lifted up in discerning how the movement can be advanced today. Speakers will include: Katerina Gea from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and pastor of Wild Church Fresno. Sarah Augustine from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery; author of The Land Is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. Angie Comeaux from Hummingbird Springs Farm, the Bvlbancha Collective, and Okla Hina Ikhish Holo (People of the Sacred Medicine Trail). The webinar is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People's Justice Council. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and they will send you a link to a recording of it.

The Unitarian Universalist Young Adults for Climate Justice caucus is looking for support as they will be heading to New Orleans in April 2023 for a climate justice convergence hosted by Power Shift Network. The theme of the convergence is "Resilience Over Climate Abuse." which will cover five themes; Movement History and Political Education Healing Spaces and Community Care Using Art in Our Work Skill Training to Strengthen Resilience Centering Lessons from the Gulf Coast "This is an opportunity for members of UUYACJ to deepen their knowledge, put justice into practice, and build meaningful connections with other climate justice activists. In order to make this trip possible, they need to raise $3,300 by February 5th. Currently, they are at 46% of their fundraising goal." Power Shift Network is an intergenerational network of organizations and campaigns that center on the diverse young people most impacted by the climate crisis." They have a diverse membership.

"Wake up in a world that is working together to move one billion people across borders. Get ready to pick your new destination." I belong to a future simulation group known as Urgent Optimists, coordinated by The Institute For The Future (IFTF). The group is led by Jane McGonigal, Director of Game Research and Development and leader of IFTF’s public membership program, Urgent Optimists at IFTF. Jane is the author of the 2022 book Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything - Even Things That Seem Impossible Today.. On February 6, 2023 we start a fictional future simulation known as Welcome Party,” where ten years from now. in 2033. nations are welcoming immigrants relocating from places in the world made "unlivable" by a worsening global climate emergency. Join this simulation to spend 10 days in the future of climate migration. Play begins 2/20/2023 after the 10-day simulation. Although the scenario is fictional, it is plausible based on real signals of change and future forces that already exist today. Welcome Party may sound extreme to you, or ridiculous, at first. It may feel shocking, hard to imagine, full of “unthinkable” possibilities. That’s intentional. It is designed to help you get better at thinking the unthinkable and imagining the unimaginable before it happens — so you can respond more creatively and strategically to whatever future challenges you might face. Here is a description of the scenario: "Today, we face a growing climate migration crisis. But what if we flipped our way of thinking upside down? Let’s imagine another ridiculous, at first, possibility: a world in which climate migration is no longer seen as a great crisis but as an urgent solution. In this future, it no longer makes sense for most people to live in one country their whole lives just because they were born there. The freedom to move is recognized as a fundamental human right, and keeping people trapped behind borders is considered a barbaric, outdated practice. Financial support is available to anyone who needs to relocate because of climate change. It’s not just a matter of what’s fair. It’s also about fueling economic growth and innovation. More migration gets more people to where they can maximize their potential and make the biggest contributions to society. And most countries need more workers, not fewer. In this world, governments no longer ask how we limit migration. They ask how we maximize its benefits. Some of the smartest and most creative people in the world are putting all their energy into figuring out the logistics of mass migration: How do we quickly help hundreds of millions of people move somewhere they can be happier and healthier? Which places will have the safest climates? How can we make room there for all of us? Not everyone is on the move in this future. The rest of humanity is learning how to make others feel welcome and at home somewhere new. In fact, the art of welcoming is now ranked by online learners as the most useful and desirable practical skill to master, ahead of computer programming, data science, and even health care. It turns out that a “soft” skill may be the most essential one for humanity’s future. Migration in this future is no longer an individual burden or a dangerous, illegal journey. It’s coordinated, intentional, and strategic— the whole world working together to build vibrant, thriving societies. The climate journey you choose to take, if you do move, will bravely make your family’s new history for generations to come. How might we get to a world like this, where a crisis becomes a solution? What new kinds of political actions and social movements could lead us there? What would it feel like to live through the first waves of coordinated, intentional mass migration? What will be our greatest sources of happiness, comfort, and resilience, if we decide to do the hard work necessary to make a climate-safer life for all? That’s what we’re going to try to find out in simulation #2: “Welcome Party.” We have to free our mind, imagine what has never happened before and write social fiction. ~ Muhammad Yunus, social entrepreneur and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 85 S. Holly Street, Medford, OR. Join other people of faith in the Rogue Valley who care about the environment and climate justice! Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's tenth annual Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit will take place in faith communities all over Oregon with the theme, "Care for Our Common Home: Building Neighborhoods for Climate Resilience." This hybrid event will start with a Zoom Virtual Plenary Session at First Presbyterian Church, followed by an in-person discussion and local vigil. We will hear from a leader of Together New Orleans; watch a video about the Commissary Project at Warm Springs, OR; EMO will describe their Resilient Communities Cohort for Congregations and the OIPL Advocacy Team; and Oregon Representatives Khanh Pham and Mark Gamba will speak about the 2023 legislative session. Following the Plenary we will hear from Rogue Climate and Ashland Climate Collaborative with local host Bob Morse facilitating in-person discussion focusing on relationship-building and how communities of faith can participate in community and climate resilience in our neighborhoods and regions. Each regional gathering will end with a climate vigil from 5-5:15 p.m. REGISTER NOW at https://emoregon.org/event/earth-summit-2023/ $25 general; $10 student rate; scholarships available too. Learn more and register: EMOregon/events

Rogue Reimagined will have Community Listening Sessions on February 7, 2023 from 6:30 -8:00 p.m. at the Talent Community Center, Dinner will be provided. This is an event by the Jackson County Community Long-Term Recovery Group (JCC LTRG) and the city of Talent, Oregon A collaborative disaster recovery planning process for the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain fires, ROGUE REIMAGINED wants to hear from you to develop projects to RECOVER, REBUILD, and REIMAGINE our valley. Examples of recovery projects could include: fire-safe education, improving evacuation routes, affordable housing, forest land fuels management, etc. Step 1 began in October 2022 with interviews of staff, elected officials, steering committee, and community stakeholders. Rogue Reimagined is now in the Step 2 phase with the website launch, community online survey, public listening meetings, and an open house workshop. Step 3 in March-April 2023 will be the creation of a user-friendly document to address the progress and future priorities for recovery and public presentations to share the document. "Together we can develop a community-based, post-disaster vision and a path to get there. Shape the vision of our rebuild by attending a community listening session." Learn more at RogueReimagined.org Resource links are on their website.

The Ashland Climate Collaborative is a 501-c-3 non-profit "formed in 2021 to serve as a hub for community-based action to reduce our climate footprint and build a resilient community." They have four Action Teams: Electrification - homes, organizations, and businesses Transportation - electric vehicles and making biking/walking safer Water - conservation Composting - food waste They aim "to facilitate the convening of self-defined organizational networks to share best practices, solve problems, forge partnerships, and activate as needed. Examples could include faith organizations, professional associations, neighborhoods, community clubs, and more." In 2023, Ashland Climate Collaborative is launching Neighborhood Climate Action Networks and volunteers are needed! This is being designed for "local organizations, businesses, and neighborhoods to come together to accelerate climate action and integrate it into standard practice. They are planning to have "a pilot program with 6-10 neighborhood groups that will meet for about 3 hours once a month to discuss how homeowners can address new climate challenges like drought and fires and review ways to lower household greenhouse gas emissions." Find out more at their website or Facebook page.

The Creation Justice programs of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) "activate congregations seeking to improve their practices of environmental stewardship and environmental and ecological justice." Rogue Climate was featured in a 2020 webinar organized by EMO and Oregon Interfaith Power and Light in 2020. Allie Rosenbluth and Jackie Rodriguez were on the Zoom call along with Cherice Bock and Caren Caldwell. "Care for creation intersects with racial justice and the health of the soil, water and air. This work looks unique in different parts of the state based on the people who live there, the ways the land has been used, and the species and landscape elements present in each region. ~ Rogue Climate Founded in 2013, Rogue Climate’s mission is to: "Empower Southern Oregon communities most impacted by climate change, including low-income, rural, youth, and communities of color" "Win climate justice by organizing for clean energy, sustainable jobs, and a healthy environment." "They do so through leadership development, political education, fostering conversations, and campaigns for policies that benefit our communities over the special interests of the largest corporations." Rogue Climate works in both local efforts and statewide campaigns. Their climate resilience actions involve Fire Recovery; Community Support; and Resilience Hubs. Resilience hubs are "community-based locations that nourish existing relationships and trust in the community to help prepare for the impacts of climate change and other disruptions. " They may also be "a group that has established relationships in the community, that utilizes their resources and/or physical infrastructure to create safe places dedicated to resilience." Rogue Climate prepared a Community Resilience Guidebook for people and organizations who are passionate about environmental justice, care about emergency preparedness and resilience, and want to see a more just future for ourselves and our neighbors. They focus on equity, listening, well-being, reliable energy, clean air, and working together across partnerships. Rogue Climate points to Vibrant Hawaii as an example. In 2020, Vibrant Hawai‘i set out to develop a network of people-powered spaces that provide resources to build more connected and prepared communities." They have a well-developed inventory of resources and participants on the big island as shown on their interactive map. Locally, in the Rogue Valley, Jackson County Emergency Management has links to Resources. Since October 2022 Jackson County has been updating its multi-jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) to "identify natural hazards and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of natural disasters." This will be an update of the 2018 Jackson County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. This identified a Cascadia earthquake, emerging infectious diseases, wildfires, and winter storms as top-tier risks. Floods, drought, windstorms, and landslide risks are related to extreme weather and the climate emergency. The JCEM website has information on Emergency Shelter Responses and Resources. This includes such things as a Neighborhood Fire & Emergency Planning Guide. Rogue Valley Manor has a Residents Preparedness Group Manual with links to some useful general information.

As previously reported in November 2022,, "FERC is expected to make its final decision on the GTN XPress proposal from TC Energy on February 16th, 2023. TC Energy is the same company that owns the Keystone oil pipeline that had a major oil leak in mid-December 2022 in Washington County, Kansas. That spill in Kansas is now the second-largest spill of tar sands crude on U.S. soil according to radio station KCUR!(Note: This Keystone pipeline is not to be confused with the canceled Keystone XL pipeline project) NPR reported that "Keystone has been the subject of 22 reported leaks since 2010, according to a Government Accountability Office report last year. With the Mill Creek case, it is now up to at least 23... Keystone's accident history has been similar to other crude oil pipelines since 2010, but the severity of spills has worsened in recent years," GAO said. Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) is a 1,377-mile (2,216-km) pipeline system that transports Canadian natural gas to communities in Washington, Oregon, and California. The GTN Pipeline extends from British Columbia through Idaho and Washington into Oregon. It also connects in Malin, OR with the 305-mile Tuscarora Pipeline which opened in 2021 and goes through northern California and terminates in Wadsworth, Nevada, north of Reno. This is also owned by TC Energy. "The proposed GTN XPressfracked gas pipeline expansion would significantly increase the flow of fracked gas through the Northwest, The Columbia Riverkeepers is gathering comments for one final push to "demand that members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) listen to serious concerns raised by Attorneys General, Tribes, and community leaders throughout the Northwest." They have suggested wording to voice your concern and a form to fill out to The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is appointed by the U. S. senate In December 2022 Chairman Richard Glick left his post as Chairman and on January 3, 2023, President Biden named Willie L. Phillips as Acting Chairman. Phillips joined FERC in December 2021. Prior to the DCPSC, Acting Chairman Phillips served as Assistant General Counsel for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), in Washington, D.C. Other Commissioners are" James P. Danly, Allison Clements, and Mark C. Christie, Click here for FERC's Office of Public Participation procedures for how to file a comment. All public FERC documents may be viewed online at the Commission’s website athttps://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/searchusing the eLibrary link. Creation Justice Ministries Co-Executive Director Avery David Lamb offered a public comment at a January 12, 2023 EPA hearing on stronger methane pollution standards - here's a quote:

In 2022 the Oregon State Legislature established the Joint Task Force on “Resilient, Efficient Buildings (REBuilding).” This Committee, co-chaired by Senator Kate Lieber and Representative Pam Marsh includes 27 members representing labor, builders, public health, utilities, affordable housing, environmental justice, local government, and climate expertise. Their Final Report was adopted in December 2022. The Oregon Environmental Council urges State legislators to take action in this session to make Oregon more climate resilient against ever-worsening climate harms, increase energy affordability, and reduce the fossil fuels driving this crisis. Energy-efficient homes and buildings protect Oregonians against climate impacts by maintaining healthy indoor air quality and temperatures and save families and businesses money on utility bills. I urge you to follow through on the work of the REBuilding Task Force by supporting legislation this session to: Enhance the efficiency of the state’s largest existing buildings Ensure new buildings are constructed as efficiently as possible Expand programs to support energy efficiency and the widespread adoption of electric heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters Improve the efficiency and resilience of public buildings.

Heart Mind Institute created a free, online, six-day Global Resilience Summit March 29 to April 3, 2022 "to help all of us deepen and sustain our individual and collective resilience so that we can meet the immense challenges we face with wisdom, compassion, and skillful means." Would you like to learn strategies for increasing and sustaining your own resilience, as well as contributing to the resilience of communities you belong to? Then join us at the Global Resilience Summit. It's free to attend... Register here now for free We are living in very uncertain times with a worsening climate emergency, an increasingly divisive and polarized cultural and political landscape, famines and population displacements around the world, and now a war and refugee crisis in eastern Europe. Resilience is critical to the future of humanity on our planet. Join 35+ presenters including Otto Scharmer, Rhonda Magee, Ken Wilber, Lara Boyd, Dr. Dan Siegel, Diane Musho Hamilton, Stephen Porges, Barbara Fredrickson, Rick Hanson, Thema Bryant, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Andrea Pennington, Christopher Germer, and many more. Learn how to: Deepen and sustain your well-being & resilience Heal trauma and build nurturing & healing relationships Co-create healthy, resilient local communities Take action for climate resilience and sustainable living Envision more resilient social structures and systems Live more consciously in true relationship with the Earth Free streaming of the Summit starts next Tuesday, March 29, 2022..

How can our churches be "hubs of resilience - helping our neighbors weather the physical and spiritual storms of the climate crisis? Listen to this April 2022 webinar (above) where Avery Davis Lamb, Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries talks about specific ways churches can craft a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday and beyond. Links from Presentation Creation Justice Ministry's Newest Resource: Weathering the Storm More Resources from Creation Justice Ministries Faith Climate Action Week (Interfaith Power & Light) Sacred Season for Climate Justice (GreenFaith) Exodus Alliance (The Shalom Center) Green Lectionary Podcast (Food & Faith Podcast) YouTube Channel for Creation Justice Ministries Faith Climate Justice Voter UCC Action Alert for Build Back Better Climate Provisions in Reconciliation Bill Creation Justice Ministries Alert for Calling Senators Toolkit for Delivering Community Climate Collage to Offices of Senators Fact Sheet on Environmental Justice and Build Back Better Discussion of Carbon Capture and the Biden Administration

Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL) is having an hour-long discussion on Tuesday May 3, 2022 from 5 – 6 p.m. PDT. The event is part of a first-Tuesday series on climate issues. Register here. "Anxiety is thought to be an activist's superpower, but what happens when anxiety leads to despair and hopelessness? There are real and deep psychological impacts when facing long-term climate change, but we can learn to refocus our anxiety in generative and healing ways." FACILITATORS: Dr. Teddie Potter, Director of Planetary Health at the University of Minnesota's School of Nursing, and Dr. Julia Nerbonne, MNIPL's Executive Director. Julia is one of the folks with whom Interfaith Climate Action leader Bob Morse became acquainted in June 2021 as MNIPL was a prime organizer of people of faith coming to witness to the indigenous action against Pipeline 3 on the White Earth Rez in Northern Minnesota. "All are welcome to attend MNIPL's Community Connector webinars! On the 1st Tuesday of each month, we deepen into a different topic related to climate justice. Through shared learning and conversation, we hope you can feel more confident and empowered to help grow the climate movement. Whether it’s with a community of faith or spiritual practice, neighborhood group, circle of friends, etc., we are all community connectors!"

Lynne and Bill Twist, two of the Pachamama Alliance Co-founders are having a 60-minute webinar: Resilience and Possibility in These Times on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. PT "They will both be fresh from a journey to visit our allies in the Amazon rainforest." JOIN THE CIRCLE

Creation Spirituality Communities' Creation in Crisis webinar on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 1 p.m. PT will be a presentation by Rev. Lauren Van Ham on Project Adapt. REGISTER HERE In this month's Creation in Crisis session, Rev. Van Ham will introduce us to "Project Adapt" which believes that a more resilient and joyful way of living is not only possible but also critical for humanity's future generations. She will introduce us to ways to relinquish, restore and reconcile - from a place a reverence - so we can meet this moment with courage, curiosity and love." "Climate disruption is upon us. Around us we observe and feel the effects of Earth systems in varying states of collapse: socially, environmentally, economically and culturally. Around us, and often within us, we feel the destructive effects of unacknowledged power and privilege. whether or not humanity takes action to reverse global warming, we face difficult times ahead. How do we respond? How do we lead within the chaos?" Rev. Lauren Van Ham is an Interfaith Minister, Chaplain, Activist, Lead Consultant & Past Seminary Dean, Chaplaincy Institute and Climate Action Coordinator for the United Religions Initiative (URI). Creation in Crisis is a monthly webinar series of Creation Spirituality Communities, featuring environmental activists from a wide variety of situations whose spirituality supports and empowers their efforts. The 90-minute sessions include inspirational readings, music or visual arts, and the opportunity to engage in conversation with the presenter. Webinars are held on the first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m PT. Your hosts for these Creation in Crisis webinars are Penny Andrews, DMin UCS, Chaplin, Activist, Ritualist, Perma-culturist, Facilitator for Joanna Macy’s Work that Reconnects, Creation Spirituality Communities Board Member, Gail Sofia Ransom, DMin '10 WU. Mystic, Musician, and Minister, Chant Specialist. Body prayer and Four Path Ritual Leader, President of Creation.Spirituality Communities Board of Directors 2014- 2018.

"For the past year, Rogue Climate has been researching what it means to build and maintain resilience hubs, while fostering community resilience in Jackson County and beyond." Rogue Climate's new webpage offers access to resources and tools to explore and build local resilience that is made by the community, for the community: The 2021 Community Resilience Survey questions & full results A downloadable flyer with general information about resilience hubs A running list of resources to help get a resilience hub started and maintained A Guidebook that describes the process of how to build a resilience hub in a community, including definitions, examples, graphics, reflection questions, and further tools that can be used along the journey towards greater community resilience. "Resilience hubs are geared to the day-to-day wellbeing of a community to not just survive but thrive. These hubs are community-based locations that nourish existing relationships and trust in the community to help prepare for the impacts of climate change and other disruptions." Being resilient as a community means being able to respond to, withstand, and recover from disruptions and challenges to daily life. It also means adapting and growing to be prepared together for an ever-changing world. ~ Rogue Climate Rogue Climate brought communities together to stop the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and transition to renewable energy. You can connect with Rogue Climate on Facebook or follow the campaign to stop Jordan Cove LNG on Facebook at No LNG Exports. Rogue Climate is also on Twitter and Instagram. Please consider becoming a monthly donor to keep this rural movement for climate justice strong and growing.

The Rogue Basin Water Action Community 2023 Kick-off Event is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Medford Library Large Meeting Room, 205 S. Central Ave. The event is free and open to everyone. The Rogue Basin Water Action Community flows from the ideas brought forth during Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance's (SOPA) Rogue Valley Water Solutions Summit last fall. More than 200 people, including Indigenous wisdom keepers, panelists from across the state of Oregon, and citizens concerned for the efficient and beneficial use of the Rogue Valley’s water met over the course of the 6-part Water Solutions Summit series. Water League, which engages the public about water stewardship, is collaborating with SOPA to support the next steps that individuals and action groups can take to make a difference in the Rogue Basin. Four action teams (cohorts) emerged from the Rogue Valley Water Solutions Summit that are critical to the health and well-being of our valley’s water. The format for February 4 will include an examination of “What is” and “What could be.” The action-driven cohorts will explore: Rights of Nature, Indigenous Perspectives, and the Public Trust Doctrine Funding, Legislation, Water Rights, and Water Law Equity for Aquifers, Agriculture, Wetlands and Waterways Water Equity for Domestic, Industrial, and Commercial Uses During the Water Action Community 2023 Kick-off Event on February 4, folks can sign up for one or more cohorts they’d like to join and then enter a breakout session during which each team will meet to: Plan its regular meeting schedule, Begin formulating its mission and Brainstorm a few goals (3 to 5) to achieve to pursue that mission. "The Rogue Basin Water Action Community seeks: Greater community ties based on our relationship with water and a better understanding of the Rights of Nature; Understanding and adoption of traditional ecological knowledge, and to support water sovereignty for Indigenous Peoples; Better communication between the community and its decision-makers; Actions that result in greater beneficial uses of water and actions that increase water quality; Equity for water users who have experienced injustice; Protections for water sources such as groundwater, aquifers, headwaters, surface waters, wetlands, springs, lakes, and ponds by use of the Public Trust Doctrine, changes in rules and statutes, implementation of conservation best practices, and enforcement of existing water laws; To identify the public interest in all its diversity as it pertains to water with an eye to public and environmental health, welfare, and safety." "Water League will provide the overall support and organization for the four teams all year long. It will be available to attend all team meetings to keep a central hub connection, hear needs and suggestions, and report on related actions of other teams. If you want to be part of the action and get in league with water, come join them!" For more information contact Christopher Hall, Executive Director of the Water League PO Box 1033, Cave Junction, OR 97523 oregon.waterleague@gmail.com or (541) 415-8010.

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), based in Jerusalem, is a non-profit organization, which according to its website "reveals the connection between religion and ecology and mobilizes faith communities to act. ICSD works on a global basis, with current engagement in Africa, the Middle East, North America, and Europe." ICSD is a partner organization of the International Partnership on Religion & Sustainable Development (PaRD), Olam Together, the Shine Campaign, and the Cooperation Circle of United Religions Initiative (URI). Check out the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development Facebook page.

According to the Presbyterian Church (USA) website “Earth-keeping today means insisting on sustainability—the ongoing capacity of natural and social systems to thrive together—which requires human beings to practice wise, humble, responsible stewardship, after the model of servanthood that we have in Jesus.” (1990 policy “Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice). Accept the PC(USA) Climate Care Challenge by committing to personal and outward engagement on climate concerns Actions: Become a Climate Ambassador! Take the free on-demand training on how to inspire others to take action on climate change that makes a difference. Go to: https://ecoamerica.litmos.com/self-signup/, enter in the code PCUSABTAmbassador21 to register then, check your email for the invitation to set up your profile and get started! View and share the “Jesus Calls Us” video at https://vimeo.com/370339034 Help your church become carbon-neutral/climate-positive through the Greening Congregations guide and becoming an Earth Care Congregation, using the EPA Energy Star for Congregations program with its congregational workbook and the free online tool Portfolio Manager, and offsetting your building use through Blessed Tomorrow carbon offset program with Cool Effect. Urge your members of Congress to support legislation that embodies Carbon Pricing as adopted by the 223 General Assembly. Read more background at our carbon pricing page. The bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is one current piece of legislation that needs support. Learn more with an informative 45-minute recorded presentation at: https://youtu.be/x9iySAJn99A Examine environmental justice concerns in your own zip code Embrace your power as a shareholder. Do you or your congregation hold investments in companies through stocks? This resource will help you leverage your power as an investor: Activating your Power as a Shareholder. MRTI makes recommendations for Presbyterian shareholders based on the mission goals and policies of the General Assembly. Contact mrti@pcusa.org for more information. Learn about other congregations’ projects to install solar panels. Invest in Environmental Investments with the Presbyterian Foundation Consider a loan for energy efficiency upgrades with the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program’s Restoring Creation loan. Learn from international mission partners how Climate Change Exacerbates the Impacts of Extractive Industries in Peru Connect with the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s environmental work

The Climate Forests Campaign reflects the interests of dozens of organizations wanting to conserve our remaining older forests and trees on federal public lands. "This is one of the country’s most straightforward, impactful, and cost-effective climate solutions." The Campaign urges activists across the country to join together and "tell the Biden Administration that our mature and old-growth forests are worth more standing!" "On Apr 22, 2022, President Biden recognized the importance of our mature and old-growth trees and forests on federal lands as an essential climate solution and signed Executive Order 14072 on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies, which directs his administration to create stronger protections for public forests in an effort to mitigate the climate crisis. Despite this Executive Order, the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management continue to log these essential climate-saving trees and forests at alarming rates. "Findings show that federal agencies have done nothing to correct the course on any of the original logging projects highlighted this past summer, with the exception of two projects where a judge found agencies were illegally harming an imperiled species. Rather, America’s Vanishing Climate Forests spotlights 12 additional egregious examples of mature and old-growth logging set to take place in federal forests in defiance of President Biden’s order to protect them."m. Their latest report, America’s Vanishing Climate Forests comes more than 6 months after President Biden’s Executive Order directive and serves as a progress report detailing the urgent, imminent, and continued threat of logging to our federal public lands. Findings show that federal agencies have done nothing to correct the course on any of the original logging projects highlighted this past summer, with the exception of two projects where a judge found agencies were illegally harming an imperiled species. Rather, America’s Vanishing Climate Forests spotlights 12 additional egregious examples of mature and old-growth logging set to take place in federal forests in defiance of President Biden’s order to protect them. Check out Climate-Forest's Interactive map and find old-growth forests around the United States. Here are some highlights in Oregon: Poor Windy Project Oregon - 15,000 acres, including cutting down 4,573 acres of mature and old-growth trees. Logging is underway, but a legal challenge to USFWS biological opinion is pending. In the Bureau of Land Management's Medford District. Oregon Wild says: "effort to log 10,000 acres - including old-growth forests - in southwest Oregon over 10 years is being done under the guise of creating wildfire “resilience” and without adequate environmental analysis." Flat Country project - Oregon Wild says "the Flat Country project, proposed by the U.S. Forest Service, targets over 2,000 acres of old-growth and mature forests for logging across the headwaters of the McKenzie River. The agency could auction the old growth to be cut at any moment." Integrated Vegetation Management Project - in the Bureau of Land Management's Medford District this 20,000 acres includes trees up to 36 inches in diameter and more than 150 years old and will have "up to 90 miles of logging roads" The Project has been approved; timber sales, but is "not yet scheduled." Evans Creek Project - This BLM commercial logging project took place on 1,131 acres, including 82 acres of clear-cuts. The Evans Creek watershed is a significant salmon-spawning area, and some trees in the project area are 150-200 years old. Trees up to 40 inches in diameter have been logged. The BLM declassified 732 acres of northern spotted owl habitat so they could be logged. Oregon 42 Divide Stand Project - "As part of the 42 Divide Project, the Roseburg BLM proposes logging 5,280 acres of conifer stands, including clearcutting and commercial thinning on 1,728 acres, and building logging roads. Trees up to 200 years old are targeted for logging. The project includes some of the most intensive tree removals that the BLM allows." Cascadia Wildlands works to protect old-growth forests of trees 80 years or older. Oregon Wild is urging concerned citizens and organizations to take actions to stop the logging of old-growth forests. They have prepared a sample letter to Secretary Vilsack, USDA, and Chief Moore, USFS - a thank you and comment on the Mature/Old-Growth Rule. Deadline January 24, 2023 (Noon Pacific Time). Click here for the Sign-on letter for organizations. In British Columbia there is a similar fight - It was revealed in October 2022 that wood from B.C. old-growth forests is being ground into pellets burned for electricity elsewhere in the world. "This timber won't be used to build homes or furniture, or even to make paper. These logs will be ground and compressed into tiny pellets, shipped to Europe and Asia, and burned to produce fuel for electricity!" #ForestDefenseIsClimateDefense