Woods' Words!

Woods' Words! Come join the Woods Team for a summer work morning on Saturday August 3 from 9:00-10:30 AM. The summer’s rain and warm temperatures have caused an explosion of growth that is blocking our paths and multiplying the weeds and invasive plants.

Tasks: weeding and thinning the Butterfly Garden, clearing out the big sticks that don’t let the mower back in the woods, cutting down the overabundant volunteers trees (think loppers!)

Gloves and long sleeves recommended. We are always welcoming of new volunteers.

Here is a link from Katharine Hayhoe discussing this month’s heat wave and how it could affect the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her previous newsletter explores an exciting new approach to mining nickel by harvest plants. Read more here.

While our individual actions are important, choosing legislators who understand that our climate is changing and that it’s getting hotter with stronger storms occurring more frequently is very important. Please make sure you are registered to vote by October 7, 2024 to vote in the November 5 election. You can check your registration status on the Indiana Secretary of State’s official website IndianaVoters.com. Don’t get surprised at the polls! Did you also know that if you have a health issue that doesn’t allow you to leave your home, you can request an absentee ballot or have a Traveling Board come to your home to record your vote? Voting is both a privilege and a duty as citizens.

Community Solar: Savings and Sustainability for Indiana

Community Solar: Savings and Sustainability for Indiana ~ Join the Faith Coalition for Community Solar for a webinar on clean, renewable energy. Sam Carpenter, Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, highlights that community solar allows energy operators to sell power to households and businesses at a discount, saving up to 20% on electric bills. This power supports peak demand and benefits retailers, small manufacturers, apartment dwellers, and low-income households. The webinar, hosted by Faith in Place, will cover the basics of community solar, its benefits, the need for state legislation in Indiana, and how people of faith and community members can get involved. The webinar, titled "Community Solar - What Is It? And How Do We Bring it to Indiana?" will take place on July 24, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Register here. For more information, contact Christine Glaser, Indiana Policy Coordinator, at 312-613-2164 or visit faithinplace.org.

Check Out Katharine Hayhoe's "Talking Climate" Newsletter!

Check Out Katharine Hayhoe's "Talking Climate" Newsletter! This month’s edition highlights historic churches like Cambridge’s King’s College Chapel installing solar panels, the economic impacts of climate change, and the inspiring efforts of individuals rewilding their gardens. Discover how these actions contribute to environmental stewardship and why urgent climate action is needed. For the full newsletter, click here.

From The Woods

From The Woods ~ As day begins to fade, David and I watch the chimney swifts dip and soar as they have their evening insect fest. First we hear the chittering conversation as they dart overhead and we know to look up and see them.

What do you hear or notice in your daily life that causes you to look up in wonder at the magnificence of God’s garden that we are privileged to live in?

Everyone has experienced the extreme heat and humidity over the past week. We expect the “dog days of August” in August, not in June. Unfortunately, many people have died from the effects of high heat. See Katharine Hayhoe’s recent newsletters here and here.

The answer to stopping rising temperatures and climate instability is to move quickly to limit carbon emissions. We need more clean, renewable energy to meet our electricity needs to run our air conditioners and meet business needs. Katharine points out a recent study that found “misinformation and coordinated disinformation threatens to undermine public support for the transition “(to renewables). Read this report to learn more.

Solar United Neighbors has a Solar 101 Information Session Thursday June 27 6:30 PM online to help Hoosiers learn more about solar. Learn more here and sign up!

Another important resource that all of us in Central Indiana should pay attention to is our freshwater supply. In 2014, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce after studying water supplies in the state, called for a statewide water management plan. No action was taken by our leaders. We all know that water is essential to life and is also the basis for a healthy manufacturing economy. Hoosiers need good water management strategies and must ask legislators to take positive steps to protect this precious resource. Read more here.

Creation Care Corner

Creation Care Corner: We are called to care for the Creation and so many of you have shown your commitment by planting natives, growing your own food, reducing waste and being conscious of how you walk in the Light of God.

Many Central Indiana residents used their voices at public hearings about the destruction of wetlands on the Southside of Indianapolis and IDEM listened and did not approve the variance required. Read more here.

Katharine Hayhoe offers her latest newsletter here. As Friends of Jesus, we are called to care for the “least of these” and the poor are at the highest risk as our planet warms.

The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is leading a Summer of Action to defend Progress for God’s Creation. Over the past few years, the EEN community has worked hard to support and strengthen historic climate legislation and pollution safeguards that defend our children’s wellbeing, provide family-sustaining careers, and put our nation and the world on the path toward a hopeful future. These efforts have paid off, but this critical progress is in danger of being rolled back. At this pivotal moment for our children, communities, and climate, we cannot afford to delay or reverse any of the important steps we’ve made. Join us today in lifting your voice to defend these investments in our health and God’s creation and to stop efforts to repeal life-saving pollution safeguards. Click here to learn more and see if it speaks to your condition, in the traditional language of early Friends. 

Help Us Plug Dangerous Pipeline Leaks! U.S. natural gas pipelines leak up to 2.7 million tons of methane yearly, equivalent to the impact of 50 million passenger cars. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, fuels extreme weather and harms children's health. As evangelicals, we must defend the vulnerable. Cutting methane emissions is the most cost-effective way to slow climate change and protect health. The Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) proposal to address these leaks is essential but delayed. To do your part, visit creationcare.org's Take Action page and scroll down to the pipeline issue, then click the “Take Action” button in that section. Enter your information to get started.

From the Woods

Thanks to all who helped in Woods on May 23rd to make our Woods a more welcoming place.  Thanks to Mindy Sommer for organizing the work team!

Mini Prairie Question:  Several people have asked, "How does your garden grow?" about our pilot prairie patch on the south side of the entrance to the Woods.  One answer: "We are waiting to see watch emerges from the prairie seed mix that we planted on one half of the circle.  We are unsure if our seed mix was washed out with all the rain or if it is slow to germinate."   Only time will tell and if our little prairie doesn't sprout, we will look at our options to try again! The other side of the circle was planted last year with 50 native starts and should begin to "creep" after the roots have been well established. 

In the meantime, sign up for tonight's webinar from the Hoosier Environmental Council on "Beyond Lawns, How to Advocate for Native Plants in Local Ordinances and HOA Rules".  Turf grass uses valuable fresh drinking water to maintain that lush green lawn, contributes on a small scale to CO2 emissions and provides little habitat for native birds and insects.  By converting more lawns to native plants and grasses, you can help create a healthier and more resilient community. Sign up and listen to a recording if you can't make tonight's Zoom meeting at 7:00 PM.

See these future events hosted by HEC:

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As we spring forward into a season bustling with opportunities for engagement and learning, we're excited to bring you a variety of impactful ways to contribute and stay informed about environmental advancements. This month's e-newsletter includes important updates, initiatives, and invitations to make your voice heard.

Join us for our upcoming webinar on May 29th, where we'll delve into how you can advocate for the use of native plants within your community's ordinances and HOA rules. It’s a chance to transform your local landscapes into thriving ecosystems.

We're also eager to hear your thoughts on Indiana’s new energy efficiency opportunities. Your input is crucial as we shape programs that could significantly reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability across the state. There are several in-person listening sessions, where you can have the chance to directly influence the future of energy efficiency in Indiana.

Finally, we celebrate a meaningful Earth Month partnership, spotlight the green initiatives of Whole Sun Solar, and share upcoming environmental events throughout Indiana. Whether it’s shaping your local area through urban planning workshops or participating in the Environmental and Spirituality Summit, there's something for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are making Indiana a better place for all its residents!

Resource Highlight: Quakers Practicing Sustainability

Resource Highlight: Quakers Practicing Sustainability ~ In April, the world celebrated Earth Day and the need for action is more urgent than ever, even as demonstrated by this piece written in the year 2000, it is as relevant as ever. In this resource provided by Quaker Earthcare Witness, we dive into how sustainability poses a profound challenge to our societal norms and individual behaviors, urging us to reconsider our relationship with the Earth and all its inhabitants. As we witness the convergence of spiritual, ecological, and economic crises, the call for sustainable living echoes through different realms of thought. Quaker beliefs intersect with this discourse, advocating for a holistic approach that integrates peace, simplicity, equality, community, and integrity into ecological sustainability.  At its core, sustainability demands a profound transformation in our lifestyles, challenging us to reevaluate consumption patterns, advocate for policy change, and cultivate a more harmonious relationship with the Earth.

Some queries to consider as individuals and as Friends:

•    How do our testimonies of peace and simplicity relate to ecological concerns?

•    How can I live simply that others may simply live?

•    Are my purchases really necessary?

•    How can I support and regenerate my local economy?

•    How can I support sustainable practices in food production and energy consumption?

•    Should we in North America not be seeking ways to cut down our consumption?

•    How can we engage in Friendly dialogue with our political and business leaders on how to change laws, policies and taxes to foster sustainable resources management?

•    How do we develop and support an ecological witness on national and international policy?

•    How can we stop supporting unsustainable practices?

•    How can we cooperate more within our Meeting Community for mutual help and more efficient use of resources?

We have a responsibility to support a just transition to a more sustainable way of life, as individuals, as members of our Meetings, as a Society, and as members of the wider world.

This means that we in North America need radically change the way we live. We need to cut down on our consumption by every means possible. We need to challenge our political and corporate leaders to change the paradigm from economic growth to ecological sustainability.

•      Find ways to use cars less or do without.

•      Work for practical, efficient public transportation systems where you live.

•      Limit the number of children you have.

•      Support family planning programs that respect women’s rights and aspirations and support their education.

•      Buy local, organically grown food with minimal packaging, or grow your own.

•      Purchase clothing, furniture, building materials, tools, etc., used or, if new, from reliable sources who have produced the items sustainably and equitably.

•      Reduce your need for newly manufactured items.

•      Recycle all that you can, and purchase items made from recycled products.

•      Invest savings in socially responsible funds or with socially responsible companies, or live without excess funds.

•      Support “green businesses.”

•      Work in your community with others on issues of sustainability and pollution prevention.

•      Form a study circle to learn about the economic disparities of globalization on the Earth Community.

•      Create ways to share resources.

•      Reduce your use of energy.

Selected resources

Voters for a Green Indiana

Voters for a Green Indiana has provided a non-partisan summary of candidates’ views on energy, environment and sustainability based on public information. Where available, it includes voting records, ratings, policy positions, and campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry. In addition, candidates in select races were invited to share their views through a questionnaire. Candidates were contacted multiple times; lack of a response to our inquiries is noted. Candidates who failed to provide voters with their positions on these key issues means they either oppose or give low priority to our issues. Only major party candidates in select contested races are evaluated.

Creation Care Notes

Creation Care Notes ~ Earth Day is a reminder to care for the Earth with our choices and with our actions.

Continue to do the everyday things that make a difference: get in the dirt and plant some native flowers and shrubs, listen to the birds and watch the insects as they do their work. Stop using mosquito spray services. Instead, remove all standing water in your yard and gutters. Reduce your plastic purchases, Reuse clothing and other purchases, Recycle paper and food waste.

Global climate progress, global coral bleaching, and the 25,000 conversation challenge

Monday is Earth Day, but really – isn’t every day? Half the oxygen we breathe comes from phytoplankton and seaweed in the ocean, and the other half comes from plants and trees. All our food, all our water, and all the materials we use come from this Earth. The Earth doesn’t need us: we’re the ones who need it. In fact, we can’t survive without it!

That’s why, given our near-total dependence on its resources, I feel every day should be an opportunity to celebrate and be good stewards of the only home we've ever known. Click for Katharine Hayhoe’s latest newsletter.

Here’s a 2020 article written about Rachel Carson, who raised Americans awareness of environmental pollution that led to the formation of the EPA by a Republican president and the first Earth Day.

Caring for our feathered friends: Bird migration is underway and most migration occurs at night. To keep our friends from being confused by light at night, do the following between dusk and dawn now until July 1 and again from September 1- October 31:

·         Turn off exterior decorative lighting.

·         Put motion detectors on exterior flood lights.

·         Close blinds at night and turn off unnecessary interior lights.

·         Use down shields so light doesn’t project upwards at night.

Don’t miss these EarthDay Events and check out some electric vehicles to reduce your carbon emissions on the road!

• Zionsville Greenfest – April 27, 9-12pm EST at 165 N Elm Street, Zionsville, IN

• Indy Creation Fest – April 27, 10-2pm EST at Grace Church in Noblesville

Ways to Celebrate Earth Month!

Ways to Celebrate Earth Month! ~ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good -Gen 1:31

Celebrating Earth Day is more than a one-day event- it’s a way of life! We are blessed to live on a miraculous planet that is life sustaining. It is our responsibility to nurture and bless God’s creation by tending the earth. Here are some local activities to help develop your ability to nurture our world.

Marion County Soil and Water Events:

·         Do you have a pond or live in an HOA with a large retention pond? Learn more at the Spring Pond Workshop, Wednesday, May 29th @ 6 PM.

·         Use the right amount of fertilizer. Learn how to use the Indiana Nutrient Management Tool in a virtual workshop, Wednesday April 24 @ 11 AM-12 PM

·         Spring Garden Workshops @ SWCD Demo Garden. Learn about No-Till techniques.
Tuesday, April 30 @ 7 PM
Saturday, May 11 @ 10 AM
Thursday, May 16 @ 7 PM

·         Learn to be a Riverwatch volunteer and help monitor the health of our nearby streams. The next local training will be held on April 26th at the Indianapolis Public Library, Fort Ben Branch,9330 East 56th Street from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Thrive Indianapolis, Indianapolis’ sustainability plan, provides activities to improve our urban environment. Click the link to check out some local events in April in our public parks. April 26 @ 11 AM features an Environmental Justice Workshop at Garfield Park.

Katharine Hayhoe always shares hope and optimism and encourages us to talk about climate change to friends and family. Click here to read a recent email from her.

As always, be kind to the earth and kind to each other. Our present moment is precious and our relationships to each other and our fellow creatures is a gift to cherish.

Walk cheerfully over the earth, Friends! Walk in our beautiful meditational woods and feel God’s presence.

Creation Care

Creation Care ~ The AMOS Butler Audubon Society has a whole calendar full of local birding and educational programs! See the calendar of events online here! Here’s a highlight of some of their upcoming Spring programs:

·         Join on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, September-May, for a free program at Holliday Park Nature Center, open to the public! See the event calendar for more.

·         Sparrow ID Workshop: April 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Cool Creek Nature Center ~ Enjoy the challenge of sparrow identification with Jeremiah Oden. No registration required! Learn more here.

·         Birds & Blooms: April 21, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, Eagle Creek Ornithology Center ~  Join ABAS Board Member and Communication Chair, Jenna McElroy, and her family for a spring wildflower and migratory bird outing at Eagle Creek. Learn more here.

·         Making Your Windows Bird Safe: April 6, 9:30 am - 6:00 pm ~ join Bird Safe Indy for a day of education, giveaways, and more at Wild Birds Unlimited - Greenwood during store hours. Learn more here.

From the Woods

From the Woods:  Spott’s Landscaping came in February to clear part of the woods of invasive plants like Amur honeysuckle, euonymus and young mulberries.  Last year, we had to have the recirculating fountain completely rebuilt as the infrastructure had been failing underneath.  Be sure and take a walk and look for the wildflowers that should be appearing: wild ginger in bloom, wild hyacinths, bloodroot, Celandine poppy, trout Lillies and more.  You may even see some of the small early pollinators buzzing from flower to flower.  Our small urban woods is a life giving place for all creatures great and small. 

This week Katharine Hayhoe shares her thoughts on the good news and bad news as we all adjust and try to build resilience in our changing climate.

We have another vegetarian recipe for you! Remember that the closer we can get to a plant-based diet, the better it is for your health, as well as the planet! This week’s recipe is from Corinne Imboden. It’s a Broccoli Goddess Bowl! Delicious!

Here are some earth friendly activities coming up in March and April!

·         Tonight at 7 PM by Zoom - Wednesday, March 6: Pesticide Use in a Garden Setting
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pesticide-use-in-a-garden-setting-tickets-787840681687

·         Plants for Pollinators: Getting Reliably Safe Plants Thursday April 18 7:00 PM EDT (Free) by Indiana Native Plant Society Central Chapter
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plants-for-pollinators-getting-reliably-safe-plants-tickets-834823578797

·         In case you missed it, The Hamilton County Soil and Water District recorded this program:
Restoring HOA Native Landscapes webinar​: ​View on YouTube here. 

·         Hamilton East Public Library - Backyard and Urban Conservation Presentation 4/19/21 Slides
​Click HERE to view the recording. ​Access Passcode: s^3f861^

·         Newfields Virginia Fairbanks Nature park has two events:

o   Bird ID Hike with Wild birds Unlimited from 9-11 AM  on Thursday April 4.
https://discovernewfields.org/calendar/bird-id-hike-wild-birds-unlimited

o   Garlic Mustard Pull with Indiana Native Plant Society on Saturday Apr 6, 10am-12pm. 
https://discovernewfields.org/calendar/garlic-mustard-pull-inps

Creation Care

Creation Care ~ Read This week with Katharine Hayhoe:. In this edition: The clean energy shift, how climate threatens your coffee, and taking action at home with Gernot Wagner.

You’ve heard about induction cooktops.  You can try this portable cooktop from IKEA for $60.

As many of you know, I (Mary Blackburn) am spending several months in Canada to be near my grandchildren and family. I’m staying in an AirBnb with an electric glass coil stove and it drives me crazy. It is so slow to heat and slow to cool. More than a few meals have been stuck to the bottom of the pan. I’m used to our induction stove at home, so I just went and bought a single burner induction cooktop at Walmart and I’m happy with the result.  Fast to heat, responsive to adjusts in temperature, saves electricity and it was only $45.  Give it a try!

Thursday, March 21, 7-8pm ET - Sign up for a free webinar on landscaping with natives: Landscaping with Native Plants, Cost Savings and More to Dig!

If there are any more vegetarian recipes to share, please do!  Decreasing meat based meals once a week it’s good for you and good for the planet!

Creation Care

Creation Care ~ Remember to join us for our Souper Bowl on February 11 before family bowling fun!

Why are we emphasizing eating more vegetables and legumes at our Souper event? Because making small changes is not only good for you, it is good for the planet! Here’s an excerpt about boosting your energy with food from Consumer Reports.

The truth is, even little tweaks in your meals can have a significant impact on your energy, mood, and overall well-being. “Small, manageable changes are sustainable, and they give you a sense of success that keeps you motivated,” says Dolores Woods, a registered dietitian at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.

The rewards can be huge. A study published in 2021 in the journal Nature Food found that trading just 10 percent of your daily calories from beef and processed meats to more nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and fish, can increase your healthy life span. So you may not only live longer but also extend the amount of time you live free of serious illness. For someone eating 2,000 calories, that means trading just 200 calories—roughly one snack or side dish a day. Want to try this and our other expert-advised ideas? Start the year off right by making a few small changes every day.

Make friends with your vegetables and have a healthy, happy day!

If you're interested in learning more or getting involved in Creation Care, contact the coordinator, Mary Blackburn, or the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Creation Care Invites You to Our Souper Bowl on February 11!

Creation Care Invites You to Our Souper Bowl on February 11! ~ Everyone is invited to share in a plant based meal of soup, bread and salad.  Afterwards, join your F(f)friends in a fun afternoon of bowling before the big game.

Having more plant-based meals are a great way to love God’s creation, not only our world, but our physical well-being by receiving proteins, vitamins, minerals and healthy fiber through our food.  

According to a previous UN report on the effects of climate change," global meat consumption must fall to curb global warming, reduce growing strains on land and water and improve food security, health and biodiversity … Plant-based foods and sustainable animal-sourced food could free up several million square kilometers of land by 2050 and cut 0.7-8.0 gigatons a year of carbon dioxide equivalent, the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said.” World Economic Forum website.

More veggies and beans and less meat is healthier for you and healthier for the planet.

Do you have a great plant-based meal you’d like to share? Send them to either Rebecca at office@indyfriends.org or mary.blackburn4@gmail.com and we’ll post one new recipe each week. If you send them, we will share!

A couple of quick statehouse updates:

Please call your legislators about the following bills:

·         HB 1193 Community Solar - This bill would like to make community solar an option for solar developers to offer Hoosiers who rent or can’t afford to install solar panels through a community solar option.  Please ask that the bill get a hearing.

·         HB 1382 Retirement of electric generating units - This bill would slow down the closing of coal-fired power plants which are huge contributors to air and ground water pollution and a warming planet.  

·         HB 1383 Wetlands - Clarifies some wetlands definitions and there is concern that isolated, undeveloped wetland areas could be unprotected by this bill.  Some of our isolated wetlands are important refuges for migrating birds, amphibians and other wildlife, as well as serving as naturally occurring flood mitigation areas.

Happy New Year from the Woods!

Happy New Year from the Woods! The trees and shrubs are working below the surface right now, getting ready for the glorious spring that is before us. The little prairie at the entrance to the Woods is divided in half. One half has small plants called plugs that are getting established. The other half was planted with a low growing prairie mix. During the first growing season, it will need to be mowed down when the plants are 12 inches tall to keep weeds from taking over. This pilot project should be interesting to watch and see which method is more pleasing and easier to maintain. Let’s see what happens in the spring.

Creation Care Happenings: Climate Change is real and your voice is needed. Call your legislators and attend some of these events.

·         The Indiana General Assembly is opening on January 8, 2024 and ends March 15, 2024. So things can be fast and furious!

·         "IN This Together: Uniting Hoosiers for Our Future”. High school students are leading the way to ask for legislation to promote resilience. Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Indiana Statehouse Fourth Floor South Atrium. LEARN MORE AND RSVP: www.ConfrontTheClimateCrisis.com/event-details/in-this-together-uniting-hoosiers-for-our-future (RSVPing is not required, but it is recommended so we can send you an email reminder in January.)

·         Tuesday January 23 ,2024. Conservation Day at the Statehouse, sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Alliance .

·         Friday, February 9, 2024. Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference, sponsored by ERI and IUPUI https://eri.iu.edu/news-and-events/events/indiana-sustainability-and-resilience-conference.html

·         Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Indiana Renewable Energy Day from 9-3 PM, sponsored by Solar United Neighbors and other alliances. Our legislators continue to turn a blind eye to opportunities for job expansion in the renewable energy sector as well as create barriers to adoption of renewable energy for residents.

·         Deadline to give input by January 14, 2024 to CIRDA.

The Central Indiana RDA (CIRDA) is developing the Central Indiana Environmental Action Plan and wants your input now through January 14, 2024 through a short online form. CIRDA is also hosting two public meetings on January 8 at 1pm and January 9 at 6pm to gather input. CIRDA was awarded $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a regional plan for reducing GHG emissions and other harmful air pollution. After the regional plan is complete, CIRDA will compete for $4.6 billion in EPA grants to fund priority actions and associated projects. Visit https://centralindianarda.org/epa-grant to give your input now and learn more.

You can sign up for information about the legislative session at the Hoosier Environmental Council or at QuakerIFCL.org

Creation Care

Creation Care ~ COP28 has been wrestling between greed and stopping the progression of climate damage. Fossil fuels have been an important economic driver in the American economy. Exxon Mobil has known since 1988 that the earth was headed for a warming climate and had a choice to pursue a broader array of clean options as an energy company. Instead, the CEO decided to pursue a disinformation campaign to make the average citizen doubt climate scientists predictions and double down on fossil fuel production.

Our hope is in our youth. See these educational resources that you can use at school or at home or here at First Friends to help understand positive steps to protect God’s precious creation. Read more about this important issue in Katharine Hayhoe’s Talking Climate Newsletter.

Creation Care

Creation Care~

From Katharine Hayhoe’s newsletter:

For the good news this week, I wanted to take stock of some positive changes that have happened since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 at COP21.

Ten years ago, the world was on a pathway to warm by up to 5C (that’s 9F) by the end of the century, according to the analysis I led for the last U.S. National Climate Assessment. Today, thanks to policies enacted since the Paris Agreement was signed, this magnitude of warming is “totally out of the picture. It will not happen," said NewClimate Institute scientist Niklas Hohne.

According to the Climate Action Tracker, current policies will limit warming to 2.7C (5F) and this number could fall even further with more aggressive climate action. It’s still not enough to avert dangerous levels of change: but as the science says, “every bit of warming matters.” The very real and quantifiable benefits of what we’ve achieved so far encourage us to keep going, and there’s plenty of positive momentum out there.

Last month, Carbon Brief crunched the latest figures put out by the International Energy Agency and found that global carbon emissions from energy use and industry could peak as soon as this year and definitely by 2025. Solar power has grown exponentially in recent years, and could triple again by the end of the decade, with the IEA calling this an ”ambitious yet achievable goal.” And sales of electric vehicles are growing. In Europe this year, more electric vehicles were registered than diesel-powered vehicles for the very first time.

So everything you do can make a difference!

Preparing for the 2024 Indiana General Assembly that will convene January 8th and adjourn by March 14th. The Nature Conservancy is supporting a comprehensive water plan so the state can understand its most precious resource and ensure it will do what’s necessary to ensure future Hoosiers have plenty of clean water. Look for a plan to protect existing wetlands and another to unlock the state’s efforts to recreate wetlands to mitigate those already lost. TNC is jumping aboard the effort to plant 250 million trees in the Great Lakes Watershed over the next 10 years. They’re working with the state to produce more than 30 million seedlings in that time that can be planted all over the state.  These are topics that you can discuss with your legislator before the session begins.  Every voice matters.

From the Trustees: Are there any grant writers in the House?  Do you have a talent for grant writing that you would like to donate to the Meeting for a project?  First Friends has an opportunity to apply for a grant with matching funds to improve our infrastructure to improve our mission to serve you and the community around us.  If interested, please reach out to Phil Goodchild or Mary Blackburn via the office.

Act Now on the Farm Bill: The US Congress renews the Farm Bill every five years, a critical legislation impacting agriculture, nutrition, and rural development, with implications for farmers, food assistance, and sustainability. Congress passed a resolution to keep the Farm Bill's funding in place until the end of September 2024, just before the next presidential election. It is essential that we reach out to our elected officials to encourage them to pass a Farm Bill that promotes sustainable agriculture and makes climate action a priority. Find more information on the bill and how you can take action in the Hoosier Environmental Council’s newsletter here!

Creation Care

Creation Care ~ Indiana has an abundance of fresh water in the Great Lakes.  Prior to our current understanding of disposing of wastes, “Dilution was the Solution” for many industries.  We now know that there are limits to what our water ways can absorb.   Faith in Place has asked for help in contacting the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to protect our waterways by Thursday November 16, 2023.  Click here to send your comments to IDEM leadership.

We are having warmer than “normal” November temperatures and as you already know, climate scientists are predicting that our atmosphere is warming faster than anticipated and most of the coasts and south will experience greater weather threats.  Here in the Midwest, we are buffered from the weather extremes.  Have you noticed the change in the amount of rain that we get?  We have periods of intense rainfall and then periods of drought.  The Nature Conservancy released this statement from their climate scientist, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe.

We have solutions- let’s use them to protect God’s Creation from further damage.

Creation Care

Creation Care ~ Faith in Place Indiana (formerly Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light) is hosting an event to help congregations save energy and improve the environment. Sign up for a one hour webinar Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 7 PM DST: https://www.faithinplace.org/upcoming-events

Katharine Hayhoe has some practical tips how we can reduce our food waste that contributes to methane formation in the atmosphere. See this excerpt from her newsletter:

Cutting Food Waste, Climate Effects On Grocery Shelves, And How You Can Help

Project Drawdown recently released a new analysis ranking the top 20 high-impact climate actions households can take to cut their carbon footprint by up to 25 percent. Do you know what the number one action is? Reducing food waste!

Every year, a full third of the food produced on this planet is thrown out. That amounts to some 1 billion tons. And when it decays, all the wasted food that doesn’t make it to our tables – or does, then gets thrown out – generates about 8 percent of the world’s heat-trapping gases. That’s more than double the impact of all the flights in the world; and it’s lost calories and wasted money, too.

So this week, we’re taking a deep dive into the food system to find solutions that are making a big impact. Read the newsletter in full here!