Blog Archives

Carol Cornell of Temple Sinai of Glendale presents practical exercises from a program she developed to help fellow congregants adapt, cope, and thrive during the challenges of the pandemic. Her work focuses on resilience, community support, and well-being within faith communities. This session took place during the Los Angeles Faith & Ecology Network meeting in December 2020, highlighting how congregations responded creatively to unprecedented times.

At this webinar on religious ethics and climate change, sponsored by the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, Pepperdine University Professor of Religion, Dr. Chris Doran explores the moral dimensions of climate migration. He emphasizes the ethical imperative of “loving your neighbor” as a key response to current and future displacement caused by climate change, highlighting the role of faith and compassion in addressing global environmental challenges.

At this webinar on religious ethics and climate change, sponsored by the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, Christian Ethics Dr. Mark Douglas reflects on his personal journey of becoming aware of the ecological crisis. He discusses the complexity of addressing climate change effectively and the challenges involved in responding ethically and meaningfully to environmental degradation.

At this webinar on religious ethics and climate change, sponsored by the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, University of Chicago Professor of Religion and Ethics Dr. Laurie Zoloth explores the urgent moral dimensions of the climate crisis. She reflects on the challenging reality that climate change begins with human action and calls for a new “politics of exile” and radical sacrifice in response to the scale of environmental disruption.

Tony Fadale, leader of the “Earth Care” Team at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach, CA, shares the practical steps his church has taken to “green” their congregation. He discusses community-driven environmental initiatives and how faith communities can take meaningful action toward sustainability. This video was recorded as part of the Los Angeles Faith & Ecology Network.

Rev. Dr. Jill Crainshaw, Vice Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology at Wake Forest University, shares a reflective story illustrating the deep connections between the well-being of the Earth and Christian worship practices. She highlights how liturgical theology can help shape ecological awareness and a more grounded sense of care for creation.

Shaykh Mustafa Umar, Director of Education and Outreach at the Islamic Institute of Orange County, discusses how he encourages members of his mosque community to adopt more mindful eating habits, including a mostly vegetarian diet. He reflects on how food choices can be part of spiritual practice and environmental responsibility, promoting greater awareness of sustainability in everyday life.

This conversation features Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founder of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, and Dr. Celia Deane-Drummond, Director of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute. Together, they explore the intersection of faith, theology, and ecology, reflecting on how religious traditions can contribute to environmental awareness and action. Their dialogue highlights shared values across faiths and the importance of collaborative responses to today’s ecological challenges, rooted in both scientific understanding and spiritual insight.

Father Sean McDonagh, a Columban priest and leading voice in Catholic ecological ethics, reflects on his personal and theological journey in relation to environmental responsibility. He shares how his understanding of Christianity has been shaped by ecological awareness and explores the role of faith in addressing today’s environmental challenges.