Keep Hope Alive: Our Climate Future
As climate anxiety grows and some commentators argue it’s already too late to reverse course, Rabbi Yonatan Neril offers a different perspective — one rooted in hope rather than despair. In this reflection, he makes the case that it’s never too late to keep working toward a better climate future, drawing strength from three key sources: advocacy, spirituality, and a growing global ecological ethic. Rather than dismissing the severity of the crisis, Rabbi Neril reframes hope not as naive optimism, but as an active spiritual practice — one that fuels continued action rather than resignation. His message offers a counterbalance to climate fatalism, encouraging individuals and communities to stay engaged and motivated even in the face of daunting odds. Viewers interested in exploring related themes can check out a companion video on coronavirus and climate change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzo7l1qFtac&t=8s
Vatican Releases Video on Pope’s Encyclical
The Vatican has released a compelling video that brings Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” to life through striking scenes of the natural world paired with the Pope’s own words. Rather than presenting the encyclical as a dense theological document, this video translates its core message into a visually powerful, accessible reflection on humanity’s responsibility to care for the Earth — our common home. Designed to inspire individuals, congregations, and entire communities, the video invites viewers to sit with the encyclical’s central themes: the interconnectedness of all creation, the moral urgency of environmental stewardship, and the call for a shared, global response to ecological crisis. By pairing visual beauty with Pope Francis’s own voice, this piece offers a meditative entry point for Catholic communities and beyond to engage more deeply with the Church’s environmental teaching.
Cardinal Rodriguez: My Faith, My Responsibility to Care
Why do Catholics care about climate change? In this reflection, Cardinal Rodríguez explores the deep theological roots behind the Church’s environmental commitment, tracing the connection back to Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical, “Laudato Si’.” Rather than framing environmental concern as a new or secondary issue for Catholics, Cardinal Rodríguez explains how care for creation is deeply embedded within longstanding Catholic teaching and tradition, making ecological responsibility a natural extension of the faith rather than a departure from it. His reflection offers clarity on why the Church has increasingly positioned itself as a moral voice in the climate conversation, framing environmental stewardship as both a spiritual calling and a personal responsibility for believers. This piece adds an important Catholic leadership perspective to the broader interfaith dialogue on faith and climate change.
Population Growth, Climate Change, and Judaism
How does population growth factor into the climate crisis, and what does Jewish teaching have to say about it? At the Interfaith Climate Change & Renewable Energy Conference in Jerusalem, Dr. Alon Tal, Chair of the Department of Public Policy at Tel Aviv University, tackles this often-sensitive intersection head-on. He explores the relationship between rising global population and its impact on climate change, while examining how Jewish teachings and values inform this complex conversation. Rather than treating population growth as a purely demographic or economic issue, Dr. Tal brings a thoughtful religious and ethical lens to the discussion, considering what Jewish tradition offers in terms of responsibility, resource stewardship, and long-term thinking about the planet’s capacity to sustain future generations. This talk adds an important and often underexplored dimension to the broader interfaith conversation on climate change. Viewers interested in exploring the deeper link between faith and climate action can…
Catholic Teaching and Renewable Energy
His Excellency Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and senior Catholic religious leader in the Holy Land, speaks at the 2019 Interfaith Climate Change & Renewable Energy Conference about Catholic perspectives on renewable energy and environmental responsibility.
Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education
This video features highlights of the Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Seminary Life. The Symposium took place in October, 2018. If you are interested in seeing more videos on environmental and theological education, check out our video on the Interfaith Climate Press Conference in Jerusalem! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbMJM6aTWts&t=6s The video was recorded at the Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Seminary Life. The Midwest Symposium was part of The Seminary Environmental Leadership Initiative, which was funded through a grant from the Luce Fund for Theological Education, an initiative of the Henry Luce Foundation’s Theology Program. Additional support was provided by The Julia Burke Foundation.
Solar Energy in Africa with Rabbi Yonatan Neril
Rabbi Yonatan Neil presents on the value of solar energy in Africa. If you are interested in watching more videos on renewable energy, check out our video on Catholic teaching on renewable energy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3oO2jhQRaA Currently around 645 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity. Paradoxically, they who contributed little to global climate change are the most impacted by it. The opportunities are immense for making a positive difference in poor people’s lives. Solar energy production can significantly reduce their reliance on the most polluting fuels, gathered wood and on a larger scale, diesel. A modest five MW solar field avoids125,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions over 20 years – the equivalent of planting 180,000 trees. Learn more about the collaboration with Gigawatt Global on our website: http://www.interfaithsustain.com/solarinafrica/.
ICSD Women’s Interfaith Environmental Project
At the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, Christians, Jews, Muslims and others cooperate to heal the earth. For more on women’s environmental leadership, please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL9R4TXKe6A&t=54s Together we can make a difference, to build a better world. But for that we need your help. Check out our website : https://www.interfaithsustain.com
Solar Panels for South Sudan
In Yei, South Sudan, a hospital serving women and children faces significant challenges without reliable access to electricity — a gap that directly impacts the quality and consistency of care that vulnerable patients receive. This crowdfunding campaign aims to change that by bringing solar panels to the hospital, providing a sustainable, renewable energy source that can power essential medical equipment, lighting, and services. Beyond addressing an immediate humanitarian need, this initiative highlights the broader potential of clean energy solutions to transform healthcare access in underserved regions, particularly for mothers and children who depend on consistent medical care. Supporters are invited to contribute to the campaign, directly helping to fund a project that combines environmental sustainability with tangible, life-saving impact. http://www.crowdmii.com/en/browse/cleantech/solar-panels-for-south-sudan