This month I want to highlight the various groups that continue to do amazing work throughout the various faith communities. Coming together as Jewish environmentalists to collaborate and share ideas is crucial, but I am also a strong believer in working with other faith communities, especially when it comes to advocacy. The following are several groups I think do fantastic work and can be excellent partners and/or resources in connection with environmental learning and activism:
GreenFaith (http://greenfaith.org/): GreenFaith has an amazing fellowship program for faith leaders and certification program for houses of worship. As they state on their website, “The GreenFaith Fellowship Program is the world’s only comprehensive program to prepare lay and ordained leaders from diverse religious traditions for religiously based environmental leadership.” I highly recommend both the fellowship and certification program and encourage you to click on the link to learn more. GreenFaith also took a leadership role in the recent People’s Climate March in NYC, an event which garnered international attention.
Interfaith Power and Light (http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/): A national organization that has chapters in many states. Generally the various state chapters are very interested in collaboration and can be a wonderful resource in connection with environmental advocacy and education.
The Forum on Religions and Ecology (http://fore.research.yale.edu/): An excellent resource for both materials and learning opportunities. As stated on the website, “with its conferences, publications, and website it is engaged in exploring religious worldviews, texts, ethics, and practices in order to broaden understanding of the complex nature of current environmental concerns. The Forum recognizes that religions need to be in dialogue with other disciplines (e.g., science, economics, education, public policy) in seeking comprehensive solutions to both global and local environmental problem.”
Evangelical Environmental Network (http://creationcare.org/blog.php?blog=1): This group termed the phrase “Creation Care” which I personally love. Although the group is mostly focused on Evangelical Christians, the blog link I provided can be a good resource as the blog is updated and conveys various events taking place through the EEN.
Green Muslimes (http://www.greenmuslims.org/about/): Mostly active in the DC area, this is a great website to learn how the Muslim community is addressing environmental issues.
