Celebrate Earth Week

April 16-23, 2023

Earth Day History

Earth Day began in 1970 after Wisconsin Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson witnessed a horrifying oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. He recruited California Republican Sen. Pete McCloskey and on April 22, 20 million people across party lines demonstrated in support of a healthy environment. Since then, thousands of Christians have honored Earth Day, and over 50 years later the concern that inspired the first Earth Day observance is still a priority issue before us today.

Our reliance on unjust energy from fossil fuels is disproportionately harming communities of color and economically marginalized persons. As women of faith, we believe that we have an urgent responsibility to love the Earth and all her communities, and that is why we are working to advance just energy that is centered on justice and equity.

We hope that you will join us throughout the spring to follow God’s call in advancing just energy for all.

Here are ways you can participate in Earth Day:

Learn

• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 join United Methodist Women’s Just Energy for All Webinars every other third Wednesday of the month at 3p.m. ET. Click here to register. The next one is focused on A Just Transition: Advancing Social Justice through Climate Action.
• Thursday, April 20, 2023 you do not want to miss United Methodist Women’s Faith Talks Podcast hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer the topic for this bimonthly conversation is Earth Day. Click here to register.
• Saturday, April 22, 2023 we invite you to host a watch party on reflecting on the struggles and advancements of climate justice efforts and the work ahead. Learn more and click here to register for the Earth Day Celebration Watch Party.

Advocate

• Act on current climate justice actions at this link. Connect with environmental justice, climate justice and energy justice organizations in your state.
• Organize a Just Energy for All team within your United Women in Faith or congregation and urge your local and state governments, public utility commissions, and utility companies to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy. Advocate for your local school district to transition from diesel to electric school buses.

Bible Study, Worship and Prayer

Deepen your understanding of why caring for God’s creation is fundamental to our faith:

• Check out the new United Women in Faith Resources Page.
• Purchase the mission study for Kindle: Climate Justice: A Call to Faith, Hope and Love in Action
• Use United Women in Faith’s 2022 Program book. January is focused on Just Energy for All.
• Use the Earth Day Sunday resource created by Creation Justice Ministries.

Stay Connected with United Women in Faith

• Join the monthly Just Energy for All webinars to build a team within your unit, district, or conference and sign up to receive climate justice updates.

We want to hear from you! Let us know how you are honoring Earth Day this spring by sharing updates and photos with us via Facebook or e-mail: climatejustice@uwfaith.org