Why the Media Covers the Stories That It Does
In this reflective message, Yonatan Neril of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development discusses the challenges of bringing attention to stories of cooperation and environmental action in a media landscape often dominated by conflict and crisis. Recalling a conversation with a major news outlet that declined to cover an interfaith environmental conference because it prioritized stories of violence, Rabbi Neril questions the common belief that only shocking events deserve headlines. Instead, he argues that acts of compassion, collaboration, and shared purpose are happening every day and deserve equal recognition. Filmed outside the studios of I24 News in Jaffa, the video celebrates the importance of media organizations that choose to highlight positive initiatives, including interfaith efforts to address environmental challenges. It serves as a reminder that stories of hope, unity, and collective action can inspire meaningful change and encourage communities to work together for a more sustainable future. By shifting the…
Rabbi Yonatan Neril talks about the modern power plant.
Standing near the Hadera power plant, Rabbi Yonatan Neril of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development explores the hidden systems that power modern life and the importance of becoming more aware of where our electricity comes from. The video highlights how large power plants, fueled by natural gas and other fossil fuels, provide the energy that sustains industrial society while also contributing to carbon emissions and climate change. Despite their central role in everyday life, most people rarely see these facilities or consider the environmental impact of the electricity they use. Reflecting on a childhood visit to a power plant, Neril argues that greater public understanding of energy production is essential for building a more sustainable future. By reconnecting with the sources of our power, individuals and communities can make more informed choices about energy consumption and environmental responsibility. The discussion concludes by pointing to renewable energy—particularly rooftop solar panels—as…
The Titanic vs Noah’s Ark: We Are All on the Same Boat
In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker uses powerful stories from Jewish tradition, history, and literature to explore humanity’s responsibility toward the planet. Beginning with the parable of a passenger drilling a hole beneath their own seat on a boat, the message illustrates how individual actions can endanger everyone, even when they seem rational or self-serving. Drawing parallels with the Titanic’s ignored iceberg warnings and Noah’s Ark as a model of sustainability, the speaker argues that today’s environmental crisis is fundamentally a human crisis—one rooted in the choices we make and the way we live. Rather than focusing solely on nature, the talk emphasizes our collective responsibility as spiritual beings living in a physical world. The presentation concludes with a moving story inspired by Toni Morrison, reminding us that the future of all life on Earth is ultimately in our hands. It is a compelling call to embrace sustainability, heed the…
Dr. Sadhvi on Green Visions of Development Faith and Science Earth Alliance Conference
This talk challenges the modern idea of “development” that equates progress with concrete, shopping malls, and the loss of natural landscapes. The speaker highlights a troubling mindset in which countries are considered more advanced as forests disappear, small local shops are replaced by large commercial centers, and natural ground is increasingly paved over. Using examples from communities where shopping malls are seen as symbols of pride and progress, the speaker questions whether this model of growth is truly desirable or sustainable. Instead, they advocate for a different approach—what they call “green visions of development.” This alternative vision promotes economic growth that does not come at the cost of the environment. The goal is to achieve prosperity while preserving natural spaces, ensuring that development supports both people and the planet rather than replacing nature with concrete.
Rabbi Yonatan Neril Speaks on i24 News of the Connection of Religion and Sustainability
For more on the connection between faith and science, please see this video on faith and science compatibility. During news coverage of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s work, Rabbi Yonatan Neril spoke about the variety of faith-based environmental projects of ICSD, the connection between religion and the environment, and how sustainability can help different cultures come together amid the middle eastern conflict.
Reverend Dr. Owen Owens on Religious Ethics and the Marketplace
Reverend Dr. Owen Owens, co-founder of the Religious Campaign for Creation Care, speaks at the Faith and Science Earth Alliance Conference in New York.
Fred Krueger on Religion and Science at the Faith and Science Earth Alliance Conference
In this short talk, Fred Krueger, the Executive Coordinator for the National Religious Coalition for Creation Care, explains the complementary roles of science and religion in society.
Water: The Ancient Aqueduct to the Modern Desalination Plant
Rabbi Yonatan Nerill of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development highlights the connection between water, energy, and sustainability.
Training Clergy in an Era of Climate Change: An Interfaith Conference
This video explores the deep connection between religion, ecology, and sustainable development, emphasizing that environmental responsibility begins with how people understand themselves, their relationship with one another, the natural world, and God.