Climate Care/UCC Environmental Ministries: We care about and for, educate and support a healthy environment for all.
UCC Environmental Justice Ministries here.
In 2017, The Congregational Church of Topsfield, applied and won an array with Revolusun! Installed on the south facing hip of the Emerson Center's Fellowship Hall, the array will help the church offset 10% of its power consumption.
Recommended Reading: CLIMATE CHURCH, CLIMATE WORLD
How People of Faith Must Work For Change
by Rev. Jim Antal (Contact the church office for a free copy.)
After discussing the book "Climate Church, Climate World" by Jim Antal, an ecumenical group created yard signs to remind people of the climate change crisis and urge action.
Other local efforts:
In early 2022, the Select Board of the Town of Topsfield created an adjunct Committee to the Select Board called the Topsfield Sustainability Advisory Committee. The Charter of the Committee is the following:
The mission of the Topsfield Sustainability Advisory Committee (the “Committee” or “SAC”) is to identify and promote environmental sustainability initiatives in Topsfield by supporting planning
and investments to reduce the Town’s carbon footprint, promote waste diversion and renewable energy, preserve and protect our ecosystems, and perform education and outreach to raise
awareness for a greener Topsfield.
The Committee shall advise and support the Town Administrator and the Select Board in the creation and implementation of sustainability initiatives and may include working with and
coordinating with other Committees, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, residents, as well as Town offices, schools and departments as an agency of the Select Board when appropriate.
Other resources to get educated and help
Find 101 Ways to Fight Climate Change here from The Nature Conservancy.
Explore local organizations such as 350Mass here.
For a more global approach to understanding and action, check out the Climate Reality Project here.
GREAT SPIRIT PRAYER
by Big Thunder, Algonquin, late 19th century
Great Spirit
Give us hearts to understand
That to destroy earth's music is to create confusion;
That to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty;
That as we care for her she will care for us.
We have forgotten who we are.
We have sought only our own security.
We have exploited simply for our own ends.
We have distorted our knowledge.
We have abused our power.
Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst,
Help us to find the way to refresh your lands.
Great Spirit, whose waters are choked with debris and pollution,
Help us to find the way to cleanse your waters.
Great Spirit, whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse,
Help us to find the way to restore beauty to your handiwork.
Great Spirit, whose creatures are being destroyed,
Help us to find a way to replenish them.
Great Spirit, whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness and corruption,
Help us find the way to restore our humanity.
Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind,
Whose breath gives life to the world,
Hear me.
I need your strength and wisdom.
May I walk in beauty.
This flag is an Abenaki Nation flag, one of the 5 Algonquin tribes in northeast US.
Eco Justice News
Good News from 2021:
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Renewable energy sources had a record breaking year of growth;(see: https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/12/23/1042973/climate-change-action-progress-clean-energy/)
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Keystone pipeline project was canceled
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The Interior Department approved 2 commercial -scale offshore wind farms (Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind)
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Car companies announced major electric vehicle goals;
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Plant based eating has increased.
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Federal budget legislation funded some climate change resiliency and prevention measures
Good news for 2022:
The Topsfield Select Board has approved the creation of a Topsfield Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC).
Opportunities for change in 2022:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts House to vote on a bill that would fund climate change initiatives (Green Future Act; H3292);
The initial committee vote is scheduled for Feb 2, so please provide your feedback to the legislators by then.
https://www.greenfuturenowma.org/legislation
There are efforts underway to keep the pressure on the Biden administration and Congress to include a Fee on Carbon / Dividend in the Build Back Better bill /budget legislation being debated.
See the following link that includes an easy way to send emails in support of such a provision: