Poetics of the Forest
February 21, 2024
This online event featured author Ellen Bass and was moderated by Mary Evelyn Tucker. The event centered on a dialogue around the poetic dimensions of forests, including how the old growth forests near Ellen Bass’s home in Santa Cruz have inspired her own work, and how poetry as a genre can help give form to the many socio-cultural meanings of the forest. This event was sponsored by Orion Magazine, the Forest School at Yale, and the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology.
East and West Dialogue on Ecological Civilizations
February 6, 2024
Earth Charter International hosted a webinar on “East and West Dialogue on Ecological Civilization” on February 6. The event featured Mary Evelyn Tucker, Jinfeng Zhou, Zhihe Wang, and Julia Kim. Amanda Bennett and Sifan Jiang moderated.
Being an Ecological Leader: A conversation with Mary Evelyn Tucker
February 6, 2024
Join our inspiring conversation with Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker: Confucian scholar and global leader in religious responses to ecological issues. She is the co-founder of the Forum on Religion and Ecology and the Journey of the Universe projects, as well as involvement with The Earth Charter initiatives. Dr. Tucker is a renowned leader, teacher, and author, and has led and supported international religious and ethical responses to ecological concerns. We will learn about Mary Evelyn’s story and how it connects to the universe’s story, as she invites us to understand and embody our deep interconnectedness in a new way. Heather Eaton will interview her long-time colleague, and friend, Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker. The series “Being a Leader: Lunchtime Conversations” offers opportunities to reflect with organizational and community leaders upon the challenges of social transformation in a complex world, and to better appreciate the resources we can rely on to act within this complex world. Organized by the School of Leadership, Ecology and Equity, Saint Paul University.
Manifesting Together the Dao of Civilization
With Jinfeng Zhou and Mary Evelyn Tucker
Hosted by Jeremy Lent
July 25, 2023
(Follow the link to view the video)
In this Deep Transformative Network webinar, Jeremy Lent led a conversation with Jinfeng Zhou and Mary Evelyn Tucker exploring themes from Freya Mathews' groundbreaking book The Dao of Civilization.
A Tree’s View of History”
Conversation with Lacy M. Johnson and Mary Evelyn Tucker
The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment and Orion Magazine
February 15, 2023
The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment and Orion Magazine present a conversation with Lacy M. Johnson on American history and the longleaf pine. Building off her recent essay on the longleaf pine’s integral role in the American slave trade, Johnson will discuss the ways in which trees bear witness to the evolution of culture and what they may be able to tell us about ourselves now. She will also discuss how her research into coastal flooding has expanded her understanding of how rising water levels affect trees, and what people can do to protect the landscapes they love. In conversation with her will be Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-author of Journey of the Universe and co-founder of Yale’s Forum on Religion and Ecology. Lacy M. Johnson is the author of several books, including the essay collection The Reckonings, and is coeditor of More City than Water: A Houston Flood Atlas. She teaches at Rice University and is the founding director of the Houston Flood Museum.
“The Perspective of Religious Naturalism”
Temple of Understanding
January 26, 2023
Dialogue with Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita, Washington University and Carol Wayne White, Interim Director of the Griot Center (2022-23) and Professor of Philosophy of Religion, Bucknell University. Moderated by Mary Evelyn Tucker, Co-founder and Co-director, Forum on Religion and Ecology, Yale University. This event is part of the Eco Justice for All Dialogue Series hosted by the Temple of Understanding.
“Ecological Spirituality/Ecological Justice”
Webinar with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Thomas Berry Contemplative Ecologists Circle
November 17, 2022
Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim on Ecology and Religion
American Library in Paris
November 9, 2022
Evenings with an Author hosted scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim in conversation with Alice McCrum. Frequently placed in opposition to one another, the union of religion and science may be a vital strategic move in the fight against the climate crisis. What can world religions teach us about the earth? How does religion express our relationship to nature, and how can we use religious philosophy to mitigate nature’s destruction? Yale historians of religion Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim speak on their work, Ecology and Religion. Posing the question, “what is religious ecology?”, the book shows how global religions and environmental practices intersect in ways both obvious and surprising. Ultimately, Tucker and Grim propose that religion can contribute an ethical and spiritual dimension to ecology, motivating the fight for climate justice. In this conversation, they discuss ways of thinking about the natural world, ways of engaging with it, and ways of changing it for the better.
“Religion to the Rescue”
With Mary Evelyn Tucker and Brian McLaren
Unity Earth
September 18, 2022
In this time of critical call to personal and global transformation, what is the role and value of religion? Religion to the Rescue is an initiative of UNITY EARTH–a global network on a mission to accelerate the realization of unity and peace on Earth. Religion to the Rescue is a series of Zoomcasts in which leading spiritual and religious thought-leaders and activists will be interviewed. The overall aim is to explore how we can come together to respond to current crises–and to reflect on the role of religion in doing so. These discussions will cover a wide variety of topics. Program hosts are Ben Bowler and Patrick Carolan.
Pope Francis’ 3 New Economic Questions Webinar: Beauty & Uselessness
Young Scholars Initiative
June 17, 2022
This panel discusses their view on the second new economic question posed by His Holiness Pope Francis: “What place does the current economic system give to uselessness, that is, to beauty?” Panelists include Rob Johnson, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Doris Sommer, and John Fullerton.
“The Language of Trees:
A Conversation with Alison Hawthorne Deming and Kathleen Dean Moore”
Moderator: Mary Evelyn Tucker
April 26, 2022
The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment, Orion Magazine, and the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology present the third event in a series to celebrate Orion’s latest anthology, Old Growth. “The Language of Trees” features a conversation between Alison Hawthorne Deming, author of Zoologies: On Animals and the Human Spirit, and Kathleen Dean Moore, author of Earth’s Wild Music: Celebrating and Defending the Songs of the Natural World. The event fosters a dialogue around the language of trees: how they communicate with one another, and how their futures are shaped by the language with which humans describe them. Moderating the event is Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-author of Journey of the Universe and co-founder of Yale’s Forum on Religion and Ecology.
Religion & Environment: An Interfaith Exploration of Conservation and Environmentalism
Hosted by the New Canaan Land Trust and Interfaith Council of New Canaan
February 1, 2022
This event features a lecture by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim. It is followed by a panel that includes Kareem Adeeb, Elizabeth Garnsey, Reverend Robert Kinnally, Cliff Knetchtle, and Rabbi Jay TelRav, with moderator Reverend Stephanie Johnson.
“Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community”
With Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Respondents: Robert Schaible and Sally Bowden-Schaible
Hosted by the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS)
January 20, 2022
The growing ecological crisis clearly requires the response of science and technology, economics, and policy. These are necessary but not sufficient for solving the complex problems we are facing in envisioning a sustainable future for the Earth community. We will also need the participation of the world’s religious communities as we recognize the moral and spiritual implications of the diminishing life support systems of the planet. This talk will highlight some of the remarkable work being done within religious communities around the world to bring healing and restoration to people and land. While acknowledging the limitations of religions it will also note the promise for ethical and spiritual transformation regarding ecological attitudes and practices. This will be explored further in the new Yale/Coursera online classes are designed for a general audience.
“On Trees: A Conversation with Peter Wohlleben, Jessica J. Lee, and Sumana Roy”
Moderator: Mary Evelyn Tucker
January 11, 2022
The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment and Orion Magazine present a second event in a series to celebrate Orion’s new anthology, Old Growth. Speakers include Jessica J. Lee, Sumana Roy, and Peter Wohlleben, with moderator Mary Evelyn Tucker.
“Celebrating Old Growth: A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer, Robert Macfarlane, and David Haskell”
Moderator: Mary Evelyn Tucker
September 18, 2021
(Follow the link to view the video)
In August 2021, Orion Magazine released Old Growth, an anthology of essays and poems about the lives of trees. To celebrate the release of the book, the Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment, Orion Magazine, and the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology are hosting a public discussion with Robin Wall Kimmerer, Robert Macfarlane, David Haskell, and Mary Evelyn Tucker. Together, they will discuss the idea of the personhood of trees, root communities, and the ways in which humans might foster the growth of our canopy.
“Launch of Faith Action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals”
Speakers: David Hales, Iyad Abu Moghli, William E. Swing, and Mary Evelyn Tucker
September 2, 2021
We face major sustainability challenges in the 21st Century. Fortunately, we have a unique opportunity to implement solutions at a global scale. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are a rallying point, and Faith Based Organizations are working on a host of activities across multiple SDGs, including conserving nature, scaling renewable energy, providing access to clean water, and returning land to Indigenous management. The Parliament of the World's Religions, UNEP Faith for Earth, United Religions Initiative, and the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology launch the “Faith Action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals” project, a living, evolving, searchable database featuring faith-based organizations around the world doing work within the scope of the environmental SDGs.
Faith for Earth: A Call for Action
April 22, 2021
The Parliament of the World's Religions, UNEP's Faith for Earth Program, and the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology are proud to partner together in a special celebration of Earth Day 2021.
Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim discuss Laudato Si:
“The Cry of the Earth, The Cry of the Poor”
Interfaith lecture series hosted by Glastonbury Abbey
April 15, 2021
Pope Francis challenges us to care for our world and insists that the environment needs to include the whole Earth community - both people and the planet. He has woven teachings from scripture and tradition to elevate these perspectives. Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim discuss Pope Francis’ approach, highlighting “ecojustice” where the concerns of the poor and vulnerable are linked to environmental degradation and exploitation.
“Ending Nukes and Ending Climate Change: The Ethical Responsibility to Mitigate Negative Human Impact on the Environment”
Webinar with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
April 8, 2021
Hosted by Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons Youth Team, this webinar with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim is moderated by Kehkashan Basu.
“Indigenous Lifeways, Cosmologies & Ecology: Connecting to Past, Restor(y)ing Present & Future”
March 15-19, 2021
(Follow the link to view the videos)
The 5th Annual Religion & Ecology Summit hosted by the Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies included a few sessions with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim. They were in a panel with Dina Gilio-Whitaker on the topic of “Religion & Ecology, Indigenous Knowledge, and Social Justice.” They were also in a panel on “Healing Cosmovisions and Transformative Cosmopolitics.” During the Religion & Ecology Summit, they presented the Thomas Berry Award to Carl Anthony and Paloma Pavel.
From Chaos to Creativity: Nurturing the Earth Community
Mary Evelyn Tucker with host Bede Bidlack
St. Anselm College
February 4, 2021
(Follow the link to view the video)
We live in a time of enormous upheaval and we yearn to bring our creativity to bear for transformative change. This webinar will suggest some ways forward in the midst of complex social, political, and ecological challenges. How can we draw on the world's religions for a more comprehensive view of an ecological ethics and ecojustice?
And how can this help us develop a broader environmental and cosmic consciousness.
Keeping Faith, Transforming Tomorrow
1st Assembly on Women, Faith, and Diplomacy, Plenary 5: Protecting the Earth
Religions for Peace
November 12, 2020
Speakers include: Laura Vargas, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Audrey Kitagawa, Musonda Mumba. This video is of the entirety of Day 3 of the event. Go to 8:19:00 in the video to see Plenary 5.
FORE Spotlights Series, with host Sam Mickey
Mary Evelyn Tucker & John Grim on Fratelli Tutti
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
October 19, 2020
FORE Spotlights Series, with host Sam Mickey
Inaugural Episode
Mary Evelyn Tucker & John Grim
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
September 21, 2020
In the inaugural video of our new Spotlights series, founders and directors, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, speak about recent developments in the field of religion and ecology, recent developments on the global stage, and all of the Forum's new projects, with a focus on the Forum Advisory Group–a collaborative project composed of 72 of the top scholars in their fields.
Values & Worldviews: Ecological Civilization as Mutual Flourishing
Earth Charter International
September 10, 2020
Speakers: Mary Evelyn Tucker, Meijun Fan, and Karenna Gore; Moderator: Andrew Schwartz. This Webinar was organized as a collaborative effort between the Earth Charter International, University for Peace, Pace Center for Green Sci-Teck and Development, the Institute of Ecological Civilization, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), and the Center for Process Studies.
“THE ROLE RELIGION PLAYS IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALISM”
IIUM GLOBAL E-FORUM
August 11, 2020
Hosted by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Global e-Forum. Panelists: Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak; Mary Evelyn Tucker; Fachruddin Magunjaya; Moderator: Mohd Yusaimi Bin Md Yusof. Organized by Office of the Deputy Rector Internationalisation and Global Network (ODRIGN). This e-forum explores the role religion plays in preserving our environment. We have two panelists sharing their insights on the matter from Malaysia (Prof. Dzul speaks on Islam and SDGs as practised at the International Islamic University Malaysia) and Indonesia (Dr. Fachruddin shares the success of fatwas in preserving the environment in Indonesia). Dr. Tucker shares her years of working in the field and how the subject matter is more relevant than ever before.
The World After Coronavirus: The Future of Religion and Ecology | Mary Evelyn Tucker
Boston University, Pardee School of Global Studies
July 15, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis of unprecedented scale, with aftershocks that will be felt in virtually every aspect of life for years or decades to come. The Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future at the Pardee School of Global Studies has launched a new video series called “The World After Coronavirus,” in which we ask leading experts and practitioners from Boston University and across the world to explore the challenges and opportunities we will face in our post-coronavirus future. The series is hosted by Prof. Adil Najam, the Inaugural Dean of the Pardee School of Global Studies and former Director of the Pardee Center. In this episode, Dean Najam speaks with Mary Evelyn Tucker, Co-founder and Co-director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, about the future of religion and ecology after COVID-19.
Where do We Go From Here? Mary Evelyn and John share reflections on the PLANET during the PANDEMIC
May 29, 2020
Interviewer, Imran Khan: I had the fortunate pleasure to speak with both these founding figures in the field of Religion and Ecology, particularly during the holy of month of Ramadan. We discussed how the current pandemic has challenged and shaped our faiths as well as reflected on the relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world.
“The Flourishing of the Earth Community” with Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim and Jonathan F.P Rose
Webinar, May 7, 2020
The Garrison Institute presents Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, leading scholars in the study of religions and ecology, in conversation with Jonathan F.P. Rose, co-founder of the Garrison Institute. A long-standing member of the Garrison Institute advisory board, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and her husband John Grim, join Garrison Institute co-founder Jonathan Rose in conversation around how we as a global community can transition to an ethics of interdependence that can serve as an inspiring vision for integrating ecology, justice, and peace. The religious and spiritual traditions of the world transmit ecological and justice perspectives in their scriptures, rituals, and contemplative practices as well as in their moral and ethical commitments. In this webinar, we seek to identify those perspectives in the service of finding collaborative solutions to our global environmental crises, and as an invitation to survive and thrive as an earth community.