Happy Autumn! This is definitely my season to shine but I need the weather in the DMV to lose the humidity a little. Next up: fall foliage! You know I can’t wait.
This week’s must read: Faith is the greatest motivation to prevent climate change (Deseret News) Staunch EcoRighters and our friends, Alex Flint, executive director for Alliance for Market Solutions, and Mitch Hescox, president emeritus of the Evangelical Environmental Network, co-authored this op-ed on how their faith drives their climate advocacy.
“Our work is largely motivated by our faith and the morals our faith inspires. And we are deeply concerned about the [climate] changes happening and to come,” they write. “Ignoring the nearly 8 billion people who are and will continue to suffer physically and emotionally due to this issue would be one of the most egregious affronts to our faith and morals.”
I encourage you to read the entire piece. And the timing is great, as the podcast featured the same theme. (Wish I could say I orchastrated it!)
The EcoRight Speaks, Season 9, Episode 6: Evangelical Environmental Network CEO & President, The Reverend Dr. Jessica Moerman
What a pleasure to have this thoughtful, smart, passionate EcoRighter back on the show.
The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman is the President and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network. (By the way, we congratulation her on the recent promotion to the top job at EEN after the retirement of Mitch Hescox, feature above.) A friend of republicEn.org who was last on the show about three years ago, Jessica received her Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as a Board Member of the National Association of Evangelicals.
She’s here to update us on EEN’s recent work at the nexus of faith and climate change, including how evangelicals are engaging with the Inflation Reduction Act. In the process, she reminds us all the meaning of creation care.
Coming up next week, Heather Reams, president of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, will give us a preview of the 8th annual National Clean Energy Week, as well as her participation in New York Climate Week.
Quote of the week:
“You’re seeing hundreds of millions of dollars in Republican states,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) in an interview. “If [Trump] wins Georgia, if he wins in Nevada — you look at what’s being invested in Buddy Carter’s district, in Mark Amodei’s district. You’re gonna take this [Inflation Reduction Act funds] away from them?” Last month, Garbarino led a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson asking him to preserve key components of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Coral Bleaching and the Florida Economy (The Invading Sea)
Here is the lastest writing from Mary Anna Mancuso, who breaks down the economic benefits coral reefs provide to the state, in addition to their environmental benefits.
“While you might think saving the coral is purely a tree-hugging exercise, the economic protection provided by coral reefs is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of Florida’s coastal resilience. Coral reefs act as natural barriers, shielding coastal communities from the devastating effects of hurricanes and tropical storms, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change,” she writes. “Recently, scientists have been able to identify these reefs protect the South Florida economy by as much as $657 million annually between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. And during a severe storm that price can rise as much as $1.6 billion.”
RSVP: The Beck Environmental Lecture
Registration is open for this free event being held at George Mason University on October 15th at 7pm! I am so honored to sit in conversation with none other than Dr. Ed Maibach, and I’m fairly confident you won’t want to miss a word we have to say about Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics.
The link to register for the lecture is here.
For more Fall for the Book events, check out their line up here. So much fun book content awaits!
Speaking of chances to see me IRL, if you’re planning on attending the Citizens Climate Lobby Regional Conference in Galveston on September 28th, I’ll be making a keynote and participating on a panel about communicating climate change. I will also have copies of Glacial on hand for purchase, if you haven’t bought your copy yet. I hope to see many of you there!
On to the weekend!