This year on April 22nd, we're celebrating Earth Day's 50th Anniversary, honoring the living world around us and taking any steps we can to protect our planet. There are many ways to virtually engage this year, and however you choose to do so, you won't be alone in celebrating.
The Human Element Documentary The Human Element is an inspiring documentary that "captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change" and Interfaith Power and Light has partnered with the filmmakers to offer a link to view the documentary for FREE! The Human Element sign up. Faith Climate Action Week Faith Climate Action Week, April 17th-26th, is 10 days during Earth Month when IPL congregations focus on how we can all take action to protect our planet. This year's theme is Love Made Visible: Engaging in Sacred Activism to protect the people we care about who are the most affected by climate change. Download resources HERE. Earthday365 Virtual Festival For those of us craving community, St. Louis Earth Day Festival has transformed this one day celebration into a week long interactive event featuring speakers, panels, music performances, yoga classes, and more. Click here to read more and register for this free online festival! You do not have to live in St. Louis to join this event! Giving Directly to Those in Need during COVID 19 COVID 19 has been on our minds constantly, and the pain it causes can be overwhelming. But let's not let our grief overwhelm our ability to assist others in this time of crisis. As stewards of the Earth, we know part of caring for the planet is caring for our most vulnerable populations. COVID 19 has hit these vulnerable communities the hardest, but local organizers have stepped up to provide resources that make all the difference. One example is Solidarity Economy St. Louis, a group organizing mutual aid efforts that provide funding to people in need. Check out this article to learn more about mutual aid and its importance for building resilient communities. Learn more about Solidarity Economy St. Louis on their website and check out their Facebook for webinars and virtual events. Have you heard of the #ShareMyCheck movement? You can pledge to donate a portion of your stimulus check to those that need it most. There's a variety of mutual aid funds and grassroots movements listed on their website, or you can donate directly to the STL mutual aid fund. Thoughts on Earth Day During a Pandemic Below, our steering committee member Jeanne Clauson shares her thoughts as we approach celebrating Earth Day during a pandemic. "Countries that have been under the longest lockdown are showing large reductions of greenhouse gas emissions through satellite images. However, enduring a pandemic by forced quarantines and shuttered businesses is not the way anyone wants to achieve the goal of pollution reduction. Have you noticed the air outside seems clearer? After the pandemic subsides and we're back to our daily lives, what are the ways we can remember to focus on reducing air pollution and other environmental issues? Missouri Interfaith Power and Light will continue to bring individuals and congregations the resources needed to move away from our habit of burning so much coal, oil and gas, so that we can all enjoy clean air, all the time." In peace, Nicole Muschinske, Communications Volunteer
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