By Faygle Train
New York is one of the most famous cities on earth, known for its musical theater, its multiculturalism, its yellow taxi cabs, and its winding subways. However, like other states, it is also becoming known for its climate change risks.
New York State has been experiencing increased annual precipitation and a sea rising at almost twice the observed global rate. This terrifying statistic puts the area at risk of future flooding. Don’t forget about the increasingly warmer summer temperatures (http://www.nyclimatescience.org). These tend to increase pollen production in plants which exacerbates allergies and asthma in people!
Upsetting, yes, but there IS a community involved in manifesting meaningful change: religious seminaries!
First, you can visit Union Theological Seminary of the City of New York. Their professors inspire students with classes like Eco-Feminism and Earth Spirituality Around the World with Dr. Tara Hyun Kyung Chung or Idol Meat and Vegetables: Towards a New Testament Theology of Food about Biblical concepts of sustainable eating with Dr. Brigitte Kahl. For dedicated activists, you can join Dr. John Thatamanil in The Insight Project (Insight), a multi-year program that discusses theology as part of the humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences. Insight proves that theology matters most when it helps us to better care for our shared and sensitive earth.
UTS is also home to the Center for Earth Ethics, which has programs like Eco-Ministry and Environmental Justice and Civic Engagement. Their programs are led by Director Karenna Gore, daughter of former Vice President Al Gore. She also teaches courses, like Religion and Climate Change: The World’s Faith and Wisdom Traditions in Ecological Crisis. The Center for Earth Ethics is definitely an inspiring place to learn!
Hebrew Union College in New York is a school dedicated to training rabbis and Jewish leaders. They created a Greening the New York Campus program with Dr. Michael Pitkowsky, who also taught Jewish Roots of Sustainable Living, and with Rabbi Rachel Cowan (who recently passed away in 2018) and Dr. Adriane Leveen, who led Spiritual Practices for Jewish Environmental Leadership. HUC’s former Dean, Rabbi Shirley Idelson, said that “Addressing the environmental crisis is part of our Jewish mandate to prevent the destruction of our planet.”
New York theological schools are developing themselves and their students into leaders adept at connecting faith and ecology. We wish them much continued success!
