Multimedia

The Climate Challenge Breakout Session
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Katherine Marshall, Rev. Fletcher Harper, Maja Groff, Rev. Dr. Samuel Richmond Saxena, Gopal Patel, Pinaki Dasgupta
G20 Interfaith
2023

The broad impact of changing climate and issues for intergenerational climate justice are central to all global agendas, from economic and financial policies to political and cultural relations. Religious actors have central roles, both in the formal spaces such as the COP meetings and in national and community policies. Translating this into effective advocacy and mobilization and modeling action link religious and interreligious communities to global and especially G20 agendas. This discussion will take stock of actions to date and look especially to the 2023 COP 28 meetings in Dubai. Both the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative and Faiths4Earth mobilize and integrate religious communities, working side by side towards global climate objectives. Moderator: Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Secretary General, Global Interfaith Wash Alliance, India; Panelists: Dr. Katherine Marshall, Vice President ,G20 Interfaith Forum; Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith; Maja Groff, Convener of Climate Governance Commission; Rev. Dr. Samuel Richmond Saxena, Dean, Faculty of Interfaith and Religious Studies and Director, Centre for Advanced Religious Studies, North East Christian University, Nagaland; Gopal Patel, Co-Founder & Director, Bhumi Global; Pinaki Dasgupta, Member –Working Group on Pollution, Faith for Earth Initiative, Sr. Consultant, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.

“Youth Voices on Climate From Religious and Spiritual Perspectives”
Madeline Canfield, Aashna Patel, Alethea Phillips, Aly Tharp
Temple of Understanding
2023

The Temple of Understanding ECO JUSTICE FOR ALL Dialogues present “Youth Voices on Climate From Religious and Spiritual Perspectives.” Madeline Canfield, Jewish Youth Climate Movement/ Adamah; Aashna Patel, Hindu Climate Action UK; Alethea Phillips, Earth Guardians, Native Youth Alliance; Aly Tharp, GreenFaith USA. This event took place 06/28/2023. 

Spiritual Ecology interview
Leslie E. Sponsel
The Kerulos Center for Nonviolence
2023
This interview is part of the Living One series on “Earth Restoration and the Evolution of Human Consciousness” hosted by The Kerulos Center for Nonviolence.
Spirit-led: An Interfaith Call to Climate Justice
For the Love of Creation
2023
This online gathering, hosted by EnviroMuslims, the Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC) and For the Love of Creation (FLC), offered sharing in a circle of ritual and reflection on how our faith compels us to seek climate justice. The gathering was guided by Muslim, Jewish, Indigenous and Christian spiritual leaders, followed by discussion in breakout groups.
Spotlights ~ 3.17, Interfaith Environmentalism
Gopal Patel
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2023

This episode of Spotlights features Gopal D. Patel, a faith-based environmental activist, campaigner, and consultant. He is co-Founder and Director of Bhumi Global, an international Hindu faith-inspired NGO that works to promote environmental care. He is also a senior advisor for the Center for Earth Ethics, co-chair of the United Nations Multi-faith Advisory Council, and an Advisor to the World Wildlife Fund Beliefs and Values Programme. We discuss his personal experience of Hinduism, his background with multi-faith dialogue, and the challenges and opportunities facing religious environmentalism around the world, including some ways that religious environmentalism can facilitate constructive responses to climate grief and eco-anxiety.

Interfaith Panel - Graduate Conference on Religion and Ecology
Christopher Freimuth, Steve Kanji Ruhl, Jason Rubenstein Rabin, Stephanie Johnson, Abdul-Rehman Malik
Yale Divinity School
2023
Moderator: Christopher Freimuth ’25 M.Div., Conference Co-chair; Steve Kanji Ruhl, Zen Buddhist minister, poet, journalist and memoirist; Jason Rubenstein Rabin, Rabbi and chaplain at Yale University; Stephanie Johnson, Episcopal priest grid chair of the churchwide Task Force on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism; Abdul-Rehman Malik, research scholar and Director of the Muslim Leadership Lab at Yale
Religion and the Environment - An Interfaith Exploration of Conservation and Environmentalism
Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim
New Canaan Land Trust
2022
The program begins with a lecture by Drs. Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, co-founders and co-directors of the Yale Forum of Religion and Ecology, and professors at the Yale School of the Environment and Yale Divinity School. After, Reverend Stephanie Johnson of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Riverside leads a panel discussion with faith leaders from in and around New Canaan, including: Dr. Kareem Adeeb: Board Chair of the Interfaith Council of Southwestern CT, and part-time Imam at the United Nations in New York; Reverend Elizabeth Garnsey of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; Reverend Rob Kinnally of St. Aloysius Parish; Pastor Cliffe Knechtle of Grace Church; Rabbi Jay TelRav of Temple Sinai Stamford. This event took place on February 1, 2022.
“Launch of Faith Action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals”
Speakers: David Hales, Iyad Abu Moghli, William E. Swing, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Parliament of the World's Religions, UNEP Faith for Earth, United Religions Initiative, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
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 as Our Motivator Building Resilience, Pursuing Justice + A Just Transition
Ani Fête Crews, Nana Firman, Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Rev. Melanie Mullen
ecoAmerica
2021

As we are called to activate our faith communities to bolder climate action, what do we do right now? We must continue talking about climate change as a moral, justice and faith issue in pulpits, educational programming, and in our communities, but we must do more. Faith traditions are deploying powerful new programs and resources and building networks to achieve climate solutions at the local, state and federal level. Hear about these new and innovative efforts to not only activate those already concerned about climate, but to reach others and build a broader base for faithful climate action and advocacy.

Faith for Earth: A Call for Action
Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim, David Hales, Kusumita Pedersen, Iyad Abumoghli, Michael Reid Trice
Parliament of the World's Religions, UNEP Faith for Earth, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
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.

Religious Communities and the Planetary Crisis
Rev. Jim Antal, Sofia Gilani, Rabbi Warren Stone, Hari Venkatachalam, Peterson Toscano
Interreligious Ecojustice Network
2021

Faith leaders of various traditions speak together about how they are mobilizing their communities toward action in the face of planetary crisis. With Rev. Jim Antal, UCC; Sofia Gilani, Green Muslims; Rabbi Warren Stone, American Conference of Rabbis; Hari Venkatachalam, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus; Peterson Toscano, Citizen's Climate Radio.

Interreligious Responses to Laudato Si: How Laudato Si Moves Interreligious Dialogue Forward
Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, John J. DeGioia, Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim
Georgetown University, Berkley Center
2020

This event convened voices from Pope Francis’ staff in Rome and from diverse religious traditions and various agencies to encourage discernment, cooperation, and policy development for an integral ecology. The program consisted of three online sessions over two days. On October 29 Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, will deliver the keynote address in the first session after words of welcome from Dr. John J. DeGioia, president of Georgetown University. Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, co-founders and co-directors of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, offered reflections after Cardinal Ayuso’s address. In a subsequent session, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu representatives reflected on how Laudato Si resonates in their religious traditions. On October 30, representatives of various agencies and organizations structured to connect religious communities on environmental issues explored how multireligious cooperation enhances care of the earth and the vulnerable. This event took place on October 9, 2020. 

FORUM2020: Global Interfaith Prayer Service for the Earth, Day 2
Temple of Understanding
2020

FORUM2020 & the Global Interfaith Prayer Service for the Earth were held on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Temple of Understanding. World religious and spiritual visionaries, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and youth environmental activists came together to address the urgency of the climate crisis with strategies for inspired collective action. Over forty international speakers offered their wisdom and perspectives through keynote addresses, diverse panels, inspiring prayers and sacred music.
To watch video, please follow this link.

FORUM2020: Science, Spirituality, Climate Emergency, and Our Future
Temple of Understanding
2020

FORUM2020 & the Global Interfaith Prayer Service for the Earth were held on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Temple of Understanding. World religious and spiritual visionaries, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and youth environmental activists came together to address the urgency of the climate crisis with strategies for inspired collective action. Over forty international speakers offered their wisdom and perspectives through keynote addresses, diverse panels, inspiring prayers and sacred music.
To view video, please follow this link.

Ecojustice for All
Grove Harris, Oren Lyons
Religions for Peace USA, Temple of Understanding
2020

With an intersectional perspective, voices from many religious traditions speak on what ecojustice for all means to them at the critical juncture for the climate that the COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in. This Facebook Live was held on October 1, 2020.

Follow link to view video

Faith for Earth: Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Michael Platzer, Harald Egerer, Jeffrey Sachs, Kiran Bali, Jorge Eduardo Rios, Roberto Manuel Carlés, Thomas Walsh
Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations
2020
Ahead of United Nations World Environment Day, leading environmental experts commended faith based organizations (FBOs) on their efforts to combat climate change, offering recommendations for better collaboration such as increased technological “interchange” and the establishment of platforms which would enable faith and science to better support each other. The discussion took place during KAICIID’s latest webinar on June 4, titled Faith for Earth: Climate Change and Environmental Justice, which was held in cooperation with the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Participants addressed pressing environmental issues related to the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moderator: Dr. Michael Platzer, Co-chair Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations; Panelists: Dr. Harald Egerer, Head of the UNEP Vienna Office; Jeffrey Sachs, Renowned economist and Director of the Earth Institute; Kiran Bali, Global Chairperson at United Religions Initiative (URI); Jorge Eduardo Rios, Chief of the Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime at UNODC; Prof. Roberto Manuel Carlés, President of the Society of Social Defense; Dr. Thomas Walsh, Chair of the Universal Peace Federation International (UPF) and Co-Chair Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations.
 
A Faith-Based Approach to Address the Biodiversity and Climate Crises
Iyad Abumoghli, Kamran Shezad
Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar, UNEP Faith for Earth
2020
The Faith-Based Organizations can become increasingly active on environmental issues, as all religions contain messages of environmental care and stewardship for a planet that can provide for human flourishing, with notions of sustainability embedded in religious texts. This can make particularly valuable contributors to the SDGs given the immense influence they have over 80% of the global population who are affiliated to one or another religious or spiritual community, and for many, faith is the main analytical lens that shapes their worldviews. As a part of International Day of Biological Diversity, the Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar in partnership Faith for Earth, UNEP hosted a webinar and Q&A featuring Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Director, Faith For Earth Initiative, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Kamran Shezad, Climate Change & Sustainability Lead, Bahu Trust, U.K who shared insights on Faith for Earth initiative by UNEP, their approach to engaging with faith leaders & faith-based organizations and Bahu Trust explained their work on Islam & Environment in the U.K. This webinar occcured on May 18, 2020. 
Multi Faith Earth Day Service in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day
Washington National Cathedral
2020

Washington National Cathedral and Interfaith Power & Light co-host this online service focused on our shared call to climate action. Join us in prayer and song in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Our traditions are beautiful in their diversity. Each offers a unique gift to our collective effort to protect our Earth with all her living communities. Leaders from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Latter-Day Saints, Muslim, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist and other spiritual communities share their traditions' gifts through sacred text, commentary, and song, and call us to collective action.

If Not Now, Then What? The Present and Future of Climate Change
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Cassandra Carmichael, Nigel Savage, Joelle Novey
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
2020

Peer-reviewed science offers a clear consensus: that climate change, caused by humans, is an existential threat, and the defining issue of our time. How can the Jewish community–from JCRCs to synagogues to national agencies–step up to meet this challenge? In this session at the JCPA2020 Workshop, top Jewish and interfaith experts offer concrete suggestions on why, how, and with whom to prioritize climate change as a core Jewish communal concern. They discuss the coalitional value of Jewish visibility, especially around environmental justice; the multi-faith promise of a growing response, linking Jewish communities deeply with our Christian, Muslim, and other counterparts; and the intergenerational urgency of staying relevant, as young people around the world lead the charge to address the climate crisis. Moderator: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) Speakers: Cassandra Carmichael, National Religious Partnership for the Environment(NRPE); Nigel Savage, Hazon; Joelle Novey, Interfaith Power and Light for MD-DC-NoVA. This event was held at the JCPA2020 National Conference, held from February 8-11, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

If Not Now, Then What? The Present and Future of Climate Change
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Cassandra Carmichael, Nigel Savage, Joelle Novey
Jewish Council for Public Affairs Workshop
2020

Peer-reviewed science offers a clear consensus: that climate change, caused by humans, is an existential threat, and the defining issue of our time. How can the Jewish community–from JCRCs to synagogues to national agencies–step up to meet this challenge? In this session, top Jewish and interfaith experts offer concrete suggestions on why, how, and with whom to prioritize climate change as a core Jewish communal concern. They discuss the coalitional value of Jewish visibility, especially around environmental justice; the multi-faith promise of a growing response, linking Jewish communities deeply with our Christian, Muslim, and other counterparts; and the intergenerational urgency of staying relevant, as young people around the world lead the charge to address the climate crisis. Moderator: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) Speakers: Cassandra Carmichael, National Religious Partnership for the Environment(NRPE); Nigel Savage, Hazon; Joelle Novey, Interfaith Power and Light for MD-DC-NoVA

Global Environmental Justice Collection
Global Environmental Justice Documentaries
2019

The Global Environmental Justice Documentaries collection was first released in April 2019. This project is a curated compilation of documentaries selected by faculty who wrote the accompanying teacher's guides. The subscriptions, which support the project, are especially low, thanks to underwriting provided by the Luce Foundation.

Ecojustice: Equity and Wellbeing in an Ecological Age
Joseph Prabhu, Devorah Brous, Philip Clayton, Mohammad Hoda
Institute for Ecological Civilization
2018
A panel of interfaith leaders discuss interreligious understandings of what it means to live in an ecological age and the radical concept of ecojustice. Part of the Conversations on Pluralism Series
Faith-Based Perspectives on Respect for Creation
Parliament of the World's Religions
2018

Nearly all religious and spiritual traditions of the world call upon their followers to respect creation and preserve it for future generations. This moderated panel discussion included Catholic, Spiritualist, Zoroastrian, and Hindu perspectives, with a Q&A to follow. Filmed at the 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions in Toronto. 

Faith-Based Perspectives on Respect for Creation
Parliament of the World's Religions
2018

Nearly all religious and spiritual traditions of the world call upon their followers to respect creation and preserve it for future generations. This moderated panel discussion will include Catholic, Spiritualist, Zoroastrian, and Hindu perspectives, with a Q&A to follow.

The Challenge of Interreligious Dialogue in the Age of Laudato Si
Mary Evelyn Tucker, Christopher Ives, Caner Dagli
Boston College, Church in the 21st Century Center
2016

There is great potential for deepening interreligious dialogue focusing on our shared ecological challenges. The growing ecological crisis clearly requires the response of science and technology, economics and policy. But we will also need the participation of the world's religious communities as we recognize the moral and spiritual implications of the diminishment of the life support systems of the planet. This talk highlights some of the remarkable work being done within religious communities around the world to bring restoration to people and land. While acknowledging the limitations of religions it also notes the promise for ethical and spiritual transformation regarding ecological attitudes and practices. Interreligious dialogue has a new and vital role to play in healing the Earth.

Embracing Our Common Future: An Interfaith Call to Action on Climate Change
Kusumita Pedersen
Parliament of the World's Religions
2015
Connecting Hearts on Climate Change
Parliament of the World’s Religions
2015

Every religious, spiritual and faith tradition views earth through a sacred lens and teaches adherents to protect the environment and all forms of life on our planet. At a vital moment in history, the Global Interfaith Movement and the Environmental Movement Join Forces at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Salt Lake City on October 15 - 19, 2015.

Religions for the Earth: The Road Through Paris
Mary Evelyn Tucker, Mordechai Liebling, Kara Ball, Kusumita Pedersen, Swami Parameshananda
Union Theological Seminary
2015

The opening of the “Economy, Ecology and Ethics: Mobilizing for a Just Transition” conference held at Union Theological Seminary on 9/16/2015, “Religions for the Earth: The Road Through Paris” features remarks by Mary Evelyn Tucker, Mordechai Liebling, Kara Ball, Kusumita Pedersen, and Swami Parameshananda.

“Religions for Peace New Faiths for Earth Campaign”
Religions for Peace International
2015

Religions for Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace by working to advance multi-religious consensus on positive aspects of peace as well as concrete actions to stop war, help eliminate extreme poverty and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than ninety national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.

“Spiritual and Sustainable: Religion Responds to Climate Change
Dan McKanan, Lama Willa Miller, Rabbi Shoshana Meira, Munjed M. Murad, Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Tim DeChristopher
Harvard Divinity School
2014

This interfaith conference addresses the issues and challenges of maintaining a sustainable planet. Focused on ways to engage, panelists examines the overlapping moral issues of climate change, sustainability, social justice, and mindfulness through the lenses of many of the world's religious traditions. Dan McKanan, Ralph Waldo Emerson Unitarian Universalist Association Senior Lecturer in Divinity, Harvard Divinity School; Lama Willa Miller, Founder and Spiritual Director of Natural Dharma Fellowship and a Buddhist Climate Activist; Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, Graduate of Hebrew College Rabbinical School with a background in environmental studies and education; Munjed M. Murad, ThD Candidate, Harvard Divinity School and Junior Fellow, Center for the Study of World Religions; Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Missioner for Creation Care, Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts; Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Climate Activist, Conference Minister, and President, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ; Tim DeChristopher, Climate Activist, Unitarian Universalist, and MDiv Candidate, Harvard Divinity School; Q&A with the panelists, moderated by Dan McKanan.

Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth Book Trailer
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
Working with Oneness
2013

Showing the deep connection between our present ecological crisis and our lack of awareness of the sacred nature of creation, this series of essays from spiritual and environmental leaders around the world shows how humanity can transform its relationship with the Earth. Combining the thoughts and beliefs from a diverse range of essayists, this collection highlights the current ecological crisis and articulates a much-needed spiritual response to it. Perspectives from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity, and Native American beliefs as well as physics, deep psychology, and other environmental disciplines, make this a well-rounded contribution.

“Spirituality & the Environment”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Father E. William Beauchamp, Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim, Rabbi Michael Cahana, Imam Muhammad Najeeb
University of Portland
2013

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama joins Father E. William Beauchamp, Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim, Rabbi Michael Cahana, and Imam Muhammad Najeeb in an interfaith discussion on spirituality and the environment. The religious leaders draw from the depths of their traditions to highlight the importance of interfaith tolerance and respect for the interconnected web of life.

Religion and the Environment
PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
2013

Interfaith Power and Light brings together people of different faiths to be better stewards of creation by responding to global warming and by supporting changes in environmental public policy. This video features interviews with various leaders of different religions from throughout the United States, highlighting what work their faith communities are doing, why they are compelled to do this work, and how they are engaging their communities to be better stewards of creation.

7 Billion Brothers and Sisters: The Dalai Lama’s Hope for the Planet
Carol Thomas Koon, producer; Brian Kimmel, director
2013

The Dalai Lama brings together spiritual, political and scientific leaders for the Environmental Summit in Portland, Oregon to discuss spirituality and the environment. With an emphasis on personal responsibility, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama says human-caused damage to the planet is immoral.

Mind and Life XXIII Conference, Ecology, Ethics and Interdependence
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa
Mind and Life Institute, The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
2011

His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa speaking at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's gathering of contemplative scholars, activists and ecological scientists who discuss the interconnection between individual choices and environmental consequences.

Mind and Life Conference XXIII, Session 1 - Ecology, Ethics and Interdependence
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Mind and Life Institute, The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
2011

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in dialogue with contemplative scholars, activists and ecological scientists who discuss the interconnection between individual choices and environmental consequences. The conference was held at His Holiness's office in Dharamsala, India, from October 17-21, 2011.

Intro to screening of RENEWAL
Mary Evelyn Tucker
Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
2009

Mary Evelyn Tucker speaks about RENEWAL, the documentary film about the religious-environmental movement, and this hope-filled moment in history when religious people of all faiths are coming forward for the environment. Her talk was part of the interfaith service and screening of RENEWAL at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, NYC. Tucker is co-coordinator of Yale University's Forum on Religion and Ecology.

PeaceCaster Interview
Mary Evelyn Tucker, Leslie Harrison
Center for Interfaith Relations
2008

PeaceCaster Leslie Harrison interviews author Mary Evelyn Tucker at the 2008 Festival of Faiths.

Header photo credit: ©EcoPeace Middle East