Ecological Justice

Committed to Climate Action

Recently we have watched disturbing weather patterns and witnessed horrendous storms that have devastated landscapes and uprooted whole communities. It has made us deeply aware of the climate crisis that we face and the call to take action.

This past summer, The United Church of Canada was challenged by the action of General Council to take more concrete action. We were invited and challenged to “amplify and integrate current initiatives in a bold, hopeful denominational climate strategy that accelerates reductions toward the goal of an 80% decrease in emissions by 2030.”

Committed to Climate Action: How to Reach 80% Emissions Reduction by 2030

On Monday, November 21, 2022, the Social and Ecological Justice Commission held the first of a series of Zoom gatherings. This information session was a shared discussion of realistic and practical steps, driven by expertise, that will enable us to meet this ambitious target. And we will remind ourselves of why these actions are absolutely necessary.  Please see the recording of our first session, with accompanying resources below as they become available.

If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future climate action topics, please contact Susan Eagle at eagle.susan@ymail.com or Jeffrey Dale at jdale@united-church.ca

Near Net Zero by 2030? Retrofitting Church Buildings with Minimal Resources 

On March 20th, 2023, we held our Near Net Zero by 2030 online event. At this meeting, we discussed retrofitting church buildings with minimal resources and how to find creative ways to reduce emissions in our church buildings without bankrupting our budgets. If you could not attend, you can check the video recording of the entire event on the left side. To download the PDF containing the content of the presentation, click here.

Near Net Zero by 2030?: Green Design for a Sustainable Future

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 7 p.m. on Zoom

• Network with other churches as you access expertise on ecologically-friendly ways to redesign our lives. Topics may include: installing renewable energy, adopting electric transportation, green roofs and community gardens, eating vegan
• NOTE: please inform your congregation of this opportunity as information will be transferable to homes and apartments.
• Registration will be available by May 15th. Send your questions in during registration to help guide the discussion.

Near Net Zero by 2030?!: Harnessing Community Resources

Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 1 p.m. on Zoom

• Network with other churches as you access expertise on awakening climate action in your community. Help your church become a center for inspiring political change and ecological justice to create a sustainable future.
• NOTE: please invite the change makers in your church to attend this session.
• Registration will be available by October 1st. Send your questions in during registration to help guide the discussion.

Encouraging Others

Communicating About Climate Change – [ PDF – 4 pages ] – How to have conversations with friends and family about climate change.

Targeting Climate Change – A Method for Mobilizing Communities – [ PDF – 2 pages ]

Personal and Institutional Climate Action Plans – [ PDF – 3 pages ]

Climate Crisis Urgency by Peter M DeVita from October 2019 – [ PDF – 5 pages ]

Researchers home in on 5 type of messages that focus people on climate action by Sarah DeWeerdt (Oct. 25, 2022) – article from Anthropocenemagazine.org website.

Top 50 Things to Do to Stop Global Warming – [ PDF – 7 pages ] – compiled by globalwarming-facts. info website.

Explaining Climate Change Science and Rebutting Global Warming Misinformation – Link to skepticalscience.com, a website that debunks climate misinformation by presenting peer-reviewed science and explaining the techniques of science denial.

Advocacy Initiatives

Rules of Engagement

• If you contact your MP, introduce yourself as a constituent—MPs tend to put much more stock in letters from inside their districts.
• Be brief and respectful.
• Try to ask a specific question.

Contact your Local Political Leader

Contact information for current members of parliament.

Contact information for current members of provinical parliament.

Contact information for your local town or city councillor will most likely listed on your town/city website.

Food and Climate Resources

Food waste reduction plan for Senior’s Residence Dining Room service provider Sodexo – Sodexo Leanpath [ PDF | 1 pg ]

What I Eat in a Day | High Protein Vegan Easy Dinner Recipes – YouTube video by Andrew Bernard

RECIPES (Vegan and Vegetarian)

Staff Support