RSVP/Register  NOW

When: Saturday, March 5th from 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Where: St. James Catholic Church; 1275 B St., Davis, CA 95616

Cost: Free, suggested donation $10-20 

RSVP: Register in advance HERE or at the door

 

 

 

When it comes to climate change, are we providing bread or stones?  While some fear the outcome of the Paris Climate Talks was too little, too weak and too late, Joan Brown considers the accord signed by 95 countries a nourishing gift to all the peoples of the earth, much like the bread the delegates bought and munched on their way to Paris Climate meetings.

Hear more about Paris on March 5th  at the 4th Annual Interfaith Climate Conference at St. James Catholic Church.  Speaker Joan Brown and panelists will address the Paris Climate Talks, the impact of the Pope’s Encyclical, the next steps in dealing with climate change.  Afternoon workshops offer a range of topics on living in a time of climate change.

Climate Justice: Rising to the Challenge with Faith, Love, and Hope 

Morning Program

8:45        Doors open for registration, coffee/refreshments and exhibits to browse:

Exhibits:  1) Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice  2) Meatless Monday  3) Winnemen Wintu Tribe T-shirts  4) Cool Davis  5) Avid Reader Climate Change selected books titles including Pope Francis’ Encyclical and new book by last year’s keynote speaker Kathleen Dean Moore:  GREAT TIDE RISING: Finding Clarity and Moral Courage to Confront Climate Change.  Follow the link and preorder the books you want.  Indicate if you want to pick them up at the store or at the conference.

9:30        Welcome:  Mayor Pro Tem Robb Davis

9:35        Song:  Keepers of the Earth led by Lorraine Visher

9:40        Prayer:  Carol Warren

9:45        Introduction of speaker: Kaelynn Woodward, UCD Environmental Sciences & Management                          major

9:50    Keynote address by Joan Brown, a Franciscan Sister

Joan Brown is a Franciscan Sister.  Her Kansas farm roots and multi-cultural experiences in New Mexico inform her work as Executive Director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light.  She is an OXFAM Sister Ambassador on the Planet and was honored as a 2015 White House Champion of Change.  She was a witness at Copenhagen and the Paris Climate talks.  Earth Day  Inthe wake of People’s climate March

In her talk, Caring for Our Common Home: Living Justice, Mercy, and Love, Joan promises  reflections on Pope Francis’ Encyclical, highlights of the Paris Climate Talks in terms of what the agreement means and how it can lead us into a livable future, and samples of how to take practical actions to ease climate change that are rooted in love, solidarity and compassion.  Her powerpoint talk can be viewed here.  Sacramento COP21 presentation march 2016

10:40   Song:  Keepers of the Earth led by Lorraine Visher

Chief Caleen Sisk of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe will speak of her tribe and the impact of climate change on their lands.
Chief Caleen Sisk of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe will speak of her tribe and the impact of climate change on their lands.

10:50  Panel: Reflections on Climate Change:                             Successes, Challenges and Next Steps

Orit Kalman, Moderator

– Congressman John Garamendi

-Chief Caleen Sisk, Winnemem Wintu Tribe of the Shasta area

-Humberto Camacho, Hubert Humphrey Fellow, 2015-2016 at UC Davis, NGO environmental consultant in Bolivia

-Joan Brown, OFS, Executive Director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light

 

12:00   Blessing:  Father Jim of St. James Catholic Church

12:05   Vegetarian/Vegan lunch in the Asmundson Room

12:25   Cool words from Chris Granger, Executive Director of Cool Davis

 

Two Afternoon Workshop Sessions

Five Choices plus a Youth Track each session

Workshops categories:

  • Hope = Practical solutions to lower our carbon emissions
  • Love = Advocacy options to help you extend your influence
  • Faith = Reflection on living in a time of climate change

Workshops Session 1    1:05 p.m. -2:05 p.m.

  1. Don’t Drown Our Culture.  Stop the Dam Raise. (Advocacy)

Chief Caleen Sisk, Winnemem Wintu Tribe

The growing demand for water in Southern California is putting the Winnemem Wintu culture and spirituality at risk. The existing reservoir submerged sacred sites and ancient villages where they lived along the McCloud River.  The recently proposed raising of Shasta Dam by 18 1/2 feet to address the water crisis is a bad idea.  Raising the dam will harm fish, wildlife and the religious rights of the Winnemem when water-saving measures by farmers could save more water and cost much less.  Come hear the story from the Wintu point of view.  Sign a petition to stop the raising of Shasta Dam here.

  1. One Simple Thing          (Practical Solutions)

Rita Schupp, retired 3-6th teacher

Let’s talk about food!  It’s not just fuel.  Food is about family, community, identity, and it’s fun!   Watch a video clip on the Meatless Monday campaign strategy and learn the true cost of a hamburger.  Treat yourself to episodes from the exquisite film Nourish.  Join in our hearty, meatless discussion.

  1. Reduce, Refuse, Reuse, Recycle           (Practical Solutions)

Michelle Millet, mother of two, contributor to Davis Enterprise on waste reduction

Michelle will share some simple ways her family has found to significantly reduce the amount of waste they generate.  Living a zero waste lifestyle can seem like an overwhelming and unattainable goal. The good news is there are simple steps to significantly reduce that amount of waste a family generates that require minimal time, energy, and organizational skills. Gather tips  to move towards zero waste living.

  1. Sustainable Suburbia: Making a Plan & Following Through (Practical Solutions)

-Alan Pryor, member of Natural Resources Commission and Sierra Club

Tune in to Alan’s description of his typical suburban home that he retrofitted to be extremely energy and water efficient while producing a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains.

-Steve Nyholm, a father of two young daughters, and advocate of permaculture

Steve is in the process of transforming his suburban house into a net-zero home by implementing his blueprint step by step!  Already, a long way from done, he’s reached near net zero on his energy bills for two years!  Wait til you hear his plans to go off the grid, collect his own water, and beyond.

-Aaron Nitzkin, owner of Solar Roof Dynamics

For many the ultimate retrofit is adding solar, but the number of vendors and products can be bewildering. Aaron offers his expert advice on how to select the appropriate solar installation for your home. Aaron promises to guide us with the important questions and considerations for those ready to make the leap to rooftop solar.  His note on how to select solar contractor are here.  Selecting a Solar Contractor 3-5-16

5.  Conversation with Carol Warren  (Reflection)

Carol Warren, member of Yolo Move-On

Join an informal discussion about the spiritual and emotional struggles of dealing with difficult climate issues day to day, and the pain of solastalgia, a psychic or existential distress caused by environmental change, such as mining or climate change.  Share your personal story and hear from others about their struggle and hope.  Limited to 15 participants.

 

  1. Youth Track

Hannah Trumbull, UC Davis student, and Lorraine Visher, retired teacher and singer and others

Join youth from the community to talk about climate change and its impacts.  Youth will be exploring agricultural justice and land use through interactive art and discussion activities. Perhaps, they will share with the rest of us at our closing time.

Workshops Session 2      2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

  1. Climate Change in Bolivia (Advocacy)
Humphrey Fellow Humberto Camacho will talk about climate change in his native Bolivia.
Humphrey Fellow Humberto Camacho will talk about climate change in his native Bolivia.

Humberto Camacho, Hubert Humphrey Fellow at UC Davis, Bolivian NGO employee

Bolivia is particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change. The workshop will reflect on the essence behind two ideas: “Vivir Bien” and the protection of  “Mother Earth.”  At the same time, most rural and indigenous communities face daily challenges adapting to climate change and they still need to make a living out of the resources available.  Learn about the main challenges from both the government and the society levels. [content removed due to copyright]

 

  1. Practical Advice for Living Car-Free (or Car-Lite) (Practical Solutions)

Anthony Palmere, Unitrans General Manager and Terry Palmere, Tax Preparer

In this session, we will explore the benefits and challenges of a car-free lifestyle.  Anthony and Terry Palmere will describe their transition from a single-car to a zero-car household.  They will discuss practical ways to address the challenges of getting around without owning a car.  Even if you and your family are not ready for going entirely car-free, there will be tips for using walking, cycling, public transportation, car-share, and “transportation network companies” (such as Lyft and Uber).  Find Anthony’s power point on  Practical Tips for Living Car-Free or Car-Lite or go to this google document.  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OFJtxqDvRcqu0_5k-QkfCE2E88NY2UxhLZr_yS0JyiI/edit?usp=sharing

  1. Tips for Effective In-District Advocacy (Advocacy)

Kathryn Phillips, Director of Sierra Club California

This workshop will focus on how to use the power of your location to be a strong advocate for the environmental policy taken up in the state legislature. State legislators listen to local constituents when they come home to the district. Here’s how you can make sure you get your message to them at the right time and in the right ways. Kathryn Phillips on Coastal Protection   Read Kathryn’s Effective Lobbying Tips at In-District Meetings Guidelines

  1. Moving toward a Sense of Freedom (Reflection)

Claire Black Slotton, First Street Real Estate Agent, and

Carol Bourne, retired RN & resident of Parkview Place -a self-planned community apartment project.

Downsizing can be a spiritual awakening!  Letting go of things and simplifying your life to just those things that matter can be a path to freedom, a fresh start.  Here are real life stories of how two couples made decisions that led to vibrant living in the present moment less encumbered with stuff and more freedom to embrace whatever life brings next.

  1. Spiritual Struggles around Climate Change    (Reflection)

Joan Brown, Keynote speaker

Join an informal opportunity for dialogue and conversation with our keynote speaker, Joan Brown, OSF.  Hear more about her work on climate change issues, the Paris Climate negotiations, and current projects.  Limited to 15 participants.

 

  1. Youth Track (continued)

2:15     Closing:  Rev. Kathy McIntosh-Smith, retired Presbyterian minister, and Carol Warren

 

Sponsored by the Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice which consists of 11 Davis congregations:  Green Task Force of Davis United Methodist Church, Green Sanctuary Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, Green Faith Action Team of Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Care for God’s Creation Commission of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin, Davis Friends Meeting, Davis Community Church, St. James Gospel Justice Group of St. James Catholic Church, University Covenant Church, Congregation Bet Haverim, Unity Center of Davis, and CAL Aggie Christian House

Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice

The mission of the Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice is to inspire our faith communities to work together to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, educate ourselves on climate issues and speak out for climate justice.

Interfaith Alliance educates members of faith groups about 1) the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, 2) promotes actions that lead to a lower carbon footprint at the personal level and at the faith community and facility level, and 3) advocates and lobbies for climate justice which is leveraged  by our proximity to the state legislature.

Yolo Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice is a working group under the Cool Davis Coalition Partners.  Many faith groups are Cool Davis Partners.

 

Useful Hints:

Morning coffee & lunch provided

Preregistration on Eventbrite helps us to plan.  Register HERE.

For questions and to sign up for day care, contact Lynne at interfaith@cooldavis.org

If possible, walk, ride your bike, come by bus, or carpool!  For parking use the church lot until 4:30 p.m., or the free city parking lot across the street on 14th Street beside the Veterans Memorial Center.  Do Not park on B Street!

Please bring you own coffee mug!

Come early for registration and to browse the displays.  Doors open at 8:45 a.m.