Faith leaders speak up for climate change action (Spec-004)

“Climate change is a problem that can no longer be left to a future generation.” - Pope Francis.

The recent October 27th panel discussion by five local clergy -- and their responses to the Pope’s recent encyclical on climate change -- help make us more aware how many clergy, especially on Bainbridge Island, have long stood up to address climate change among their congregations and in public.

This podcast is a recording of “Faith and Climate Change — Do We Have a Moral Obligation to Act.” That topic was the subject of a panel of local clergy at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church on Bainbridge Island on Tuesday, October 27th.

The event was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap, the Bainbridge Island Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and Climate Action Bainbridge.

The podcast includes:

0:00 Event introduction - by Peggy Erickson, co-chair of Bainbridge Citizens’ Climate Lobby

2:15 Introduction to clergy panel discussion, by Erika Shriner, board member of Climate Action Bainbridge, who moderated the clergy panel discussion

5:26 Question 1: What does your faith believe about humanity’s relationship to the earth, and is there a moral imperative to care for the earth?

5:50 Response by Rev. Dee Eisenhauer, minister of Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

8:28 Response by Rabbi Paul Strasko, Congregation Kol Shalom

12:45 Response by Rev. Paul Stumme-Diers, Bethany Lutheran Church

15:15 Response by Rev. Eric Mason, Grace Episcopal Church

18:18 Response by Assemblyman Stan Brown, Baha’is of Bainbridge Island

20:30 Question 2: What has your faith community done, or planned to do, to incorporate climate action into your collective work and the lives of your members?

20:46 Dee Eisenhauer
23:30 Paul Strasko
26:48 Paul Stumme-Diers
29:30 Eric Mason
31:42 Stan Brown

33:45 Question 3: With lots going on, are we getting real results? How can we engage more people of faith to accept the science of climate change, and to act on it?

34:48 Dee Eisenhauer
37:43 Paul Strasko
42:10 Paul Stumme-Diers
44:56 Eric Mason
47:12 Stan Brown

51:51 Question 4: How do we mobilize massive numbers of people to do something constructive about climate change as soon as possible?

53:20 Dee Eisenhauer
54:40 Paul Strasko
55:24 Paul Stumme-Diers
56:08 Eric Mason
56:58 Stan Brown

57:45 Moderator closing remarks

58:51 Transition to presentations by climate change activists

59:05 How to share this BCB recording with your friends

59:40 Stacey Nordgren describes a Nov 18th workshop by EcoAdapt to enable the public to address climate change responses in the City of Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan update.

1:02:12 Dr. Michael Soman describes Citizens Climate Lobby

1:05:10 Brian Anderson describes Climate Action Bainbridge

1:09:11 Erika Shriner, describes Carbon Washington

1:12:42 Peggy Erickson wrap up, with mention of Earth Art Bainbridge.

Please note that, for your listening convenience, this recording of the 100-minute October 27 event was shortened to 73 minutes by eliminating the Q&A session and editing the activist presentations.

Credits: BCB recording technician, audio editor and publisher: Barry Peters