Eco-Journey
About this blog
Eco-Journey is the blog of the Environmental Ministries Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It will include a wide array of environmental topics: upcoming environmental events, links to interesting articles and studies, information on environmental advocacy, eco-theology topics, and success stories from churches that are going “green.”
Author Rebecca Barnes-Davies is the Associate for Environmental Ministries at the PC(USA). She recently graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a M.Div. and Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) dual degree.
Recent posts
- Reflection on Women's Stories from the MTR and Climate Change Tribunal last week
- Forest Hill Presbyterian Church celebrates Earth Day
- Webinar on Earth Care Congregations and Environmental Education
- Eco-Justice on College Campus
- Highlights from Wendell Berry
Categories
- Eco-Justice (222)
- Congregations (182)
- Advocacy (135)
- Events (131)
- Climate Change (118)
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Archives
Posts with category: Eco-Justice
May 18, 2012Reflection on Women's Stories from the MTR and Climate Change Tribunal last week
The Central Appalachian Women’s Tribunal on Climate Justice on May 10, 2012 was a powerful and meaningful event of local women lifting up their voices and engaging in action to protect the health and integrity of their families, their communities, and their land. I was honored and energized to be in this gathering of powerful grassroots advocates who are working hard to take care of the things they love. The speakers and leaders of this event were local residents who shared their personal stories of witnessing to the devastating effects of Mountaintop Removal (MTR) Coal Mining in their homeland of Appalachia. Some of these local women have won prestigious awards, gained national recognition, and/or been interviewed in documentaries for their great efforts. They come from a four state area: TN, WV, VA, and KY.
These women’s lives have been drastically impacted by MTR and I was convicted and inspired by their stories. Hearing their testimonies, I am ever more committed to continue to pray and work for an end to the destructive practice of MTR that is damaging this part of God’s creation. I hope you will join me in these efforts, both from reading these glimpses of local residents’ stories and from knowing our biblical, theological, and denomination mandate to care for God’s creation.
May 3, 2012
Eco-Justice on College Campus
Young adults, faith and the environment: take a look at what this ecumenical ministry is doing for eco-justice!
"For this semester, we are meeting in the ECM at 5pm on Fridays. The current projects we are concentrating on are working to finish the Eco-Walk project in the Haskell wetlands north of 31st street (due largely to an amazing gift from Elizabeth Schultz!), working with the low-income weatherization programs for Lawrence to increase the use by local residents, and researching the possibilities of duplicating the efforts from elsewhere in the country to impliment a local carbon tax. We are also attempting ...
April 13, 2012
Creation Care Conference
The National Religious Coalition on Creation Care is gathering in Washington D.C. on April 23rd to explore, inform, and inspire people of faith to take action global climate change.
April 10, 2012
Faithful prayer with Peruvian partners
PCUSA members joined sisters and brothers in Peru on World Water Day, March 22nd, as they gathered in prayer and petition for justice, regarding the mining operations in La Oroya. Continued prayer and action is welcome and needed as we walk alongside our partners in mission, witness, and struggle for justice.
Click here to read more from Joining Hands Against Hunger.
Click here to download the new children's health and environment curriculum that focuses on La Oroya, linking kids in PCUSA congregations to kids in Cambialo and educating us all about the situations there and in our own communities ...
September 6, 2011
Birth Defects and Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
Earlier this summer some shocking research was published on health risks associated with mountaintop removal coal mining (learn more about this practice). The study looked at 1.9 million live births from 1996 to 2003 in Central Appalachia. Separating births by counties with no mining, mountaintop removal mining, other mining, and, it was found that birth defects were more prevalent in counties with mountaintop removal mining.
After adjusting for other factors that may affect birth defect rates (such as mother’s age, prenatal care, etc.), it was found that birth defects were significantly higher in counties with mountaintop removal mining from both 1996-1999 and 2000-2003. In the later period, from 2000-2003, birth defects in counties with mountaintop removal mining were 42 percent higher.
The effect of mountaintop removal mining on birth defects is even stronger than the effect of a mother smoking during pregnancy. View a fact sheet with more information on this new MTR study from the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition.