Good Climate News #3 [11.13.23]
Empowering Change: Grassroots Movements & Global Initiatives in Climate Action
Welcome back to "Good Climate News," your weekly dose of inspiring climate stories. In a world where environmental challenges often dominate headlines, let's dive into stories of hope and innovation shaping a better future.
This week, we spotlight a retiree's one-woman army against a carbon pipeline, recognize the interfaith climate advocacy of dozens of religious leaders, examine museums (finally) taking a stand against climate change, and highlight Pennsylvania churches' shift to solar power. As always, we conclude with reflection and a challenge, inviting you to engage in the global movement for change.
Your reflections and actions are the heartbeat of this community–share them by hitting the comment button below or via email at Zenethica1@gmail.com.
Warm wishes,
Julian Cauzae
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Spotlight Story: Battling Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
History may remember the early 2020s as one of our last desperate attempts at seriously addressing climate change without seriously changing how we live. The techno-fixes dominating headlines, like carbon capture, sing siren songs of salvation without sacrifice. They are dreamed up in corporate boardrooms worldwide as an ingenious way of "taking the climate crisis seriously"–it's what the shareholders want!–without fundamentally threatening the interests of said shareholders. Then, down from the mountaintops of our economic and political leaders comes plans for multi-state carbon dioxide pipelines to transfer carbon emissions from factories to underground storage facilities.
That's when Kathleen Campbell, a recently retired professor, comes into the picture.
When her land and beloved vegetable garden were threatened, she jumped into action, quickly mobilizing neighbors in rural Illinois in a campaign to raise awareness about the environmental risks of the pipeline, both for people's health and the health of the regional ecosystem.
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Despite the Goliath of multi-billion dollar projects with federal funding and industry backing, Campbell and her community efforts paid off. This story exemplifies how we must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past in our current energy transition. Addressing climate change and building a greener society must be fully collaborative and beneficial for the people and planet, not imposed from high.
Headline Highlights
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Namibia Ushers in a New Era with Africa's First Decarbonised Iron Plant
Namibia recently broke ground on Africa's first decarbonized iron plant, which will be powered by green hydrogen. Namibia's unique geographical advantages position the country to become a key player in this new era of energy production and demonstrate the potential for emerging economies to be global leaders in green technology.
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Global Faith Leaders Rally for Climate Action
The recent Interfaith Statement on Climate Action, signed at a summit preceding COP28, marks a historic convergence of diverse religious and spiritual leaders. The joint statement was signed by faith and spiritual leaders representing:
Anglicans, Bahá’is, Bohras, Buddhists, Catholics, Coptic Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelicals, Hindus, Jains, Jewish peoples, Mahikaris, Mandaeans, Protestants, Shia Muslims, Sikhs, and Sunni Muslims.
In a world where religion has been cynically abused by people with malign interests, this document's unified voice calling out crucial problems facing humanity reminds us that the essence of faith and religion lies in the heartfelt desire to improve ourselves and the world around us.
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UK Museums Pledge Collective Climate Action
Well, throwing soup might actually change things. In a refreshing turn of events, after years of environmental activism drawing attention to the large amounts of funding museums receive from the fossil fuel industry, UK museums said they felt a "responsibility to speak out about the climate and biodiversity crisis." Maybe they can feel a responsibility to return their stolen loot as well.
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Pennsylvania Churches Embrace Solar Power
The Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, demonstrates that faith and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious meeting centers are the backbone of communities worldwide, and increasing the visibility of environmental initiatives in these places can go a long way in shifting how communities address climate change in their local communities.
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Cotton, Seawater, and Batteries
Have you ever wondered if you could extract carbon out of cotton to build batteries? If so, you're in luck! PJP Eye, a Japanese firm, has a top-secret process to help make greener batteries. Using cotton and seawater, their innovative work can help reduce our reliance on harmful materials and increase our production of batteries to meet growing global demand.
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Weekly Challenge: Choose Digital Receipts
This week, we encourage you to choose digital receipts over paper. This small change can significantly reduce our environmental footprint, saving millions of gallons of oil and water and preserving countless trees.
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Reflect With Me:
What barriers do you face in contributing to positive climate action, and how might you overcome them?
Engage With Zenethica!
Have you started a new eco-friendly habit or inspired a friend to join your climate action journey? Whatever it is, big or small, share your green stories with us. Your actions could be the spark that ignites change in our Zenethica community.
Email your stories to Zenethica1@gmail.com or drop a comment below to inspire and be inspired.
In case you missed it…
Good Climate News #2 [11.06.23]
Good Climate News #1 [10.30.23]
The Climate Crisis is a Spiritual Crisis
Thank You
Stay tuned for upcoming articles, and remember to cherish the moments of positive change that light our way.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating these stories of hope and action. Join us for less than the cost of your daily coffee!
Warmest,
Julian Cauzae