After six years, the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions is signaling several major changes with incorporation under the new name, . The organization is now an independent nonprofit (501c3), moving away from affiliation with 91短视频 and its other core partners, Mennonite Central Committee and Goshen College. The announcement was made Oct. 24.

Doug Graber Neufeld, a biology and environmental science professor at 91短视频, has led the organization since its beginning but plans to step down in early 2023. A new board will facilitate the search for new leadership.

Neufeld said that to be effective, the center needs to evolve along with the climate crisis.

鈥淭his independent organization is prepared to embrace new roles in programs that impact an expanded audience, while continuing programs that have successfully motivated people and organizations to take meaningful actions,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing involved from the beginning in shaping this organization as we learn from those we serve has given all of us hope. We see how we are able to equip people to engage together with one of the most important issues of our time.鈥�

Much of the previous organization鈥檚 programming is focused on educating and empowering advocacy among young people, equipping pastors to engage their congregations, raising the voices of those most impacted by climate change, and supporting researchers from Anabaptist institutions.

For example, in January 2022, the center convened the Anabaptist Collaboration on Climate Change with leadership from 18 Anabaptist organizations in the United States and Canada. In summer 2021, 16 cyclists rode across the country, listening to diverse voices across the United States talk about climate change. [Read more about the .]

Read about :

• An explanation of the new name;
• Bios of the new board members;
• A funding plan and creation of an annual fund;
• A report on the 2022 sustainability summit and ecumenical retreat;
• New climate curriculum for churches;
• Learn more about extractive minerals and stories of global climate injustice

Leadership from 18 Anabaptist organizations in the United States and Canada convened at the Anabaptist Collaboration on Climate Change on Jan. 26- 27 to address what many consider a moral emergency. 

The 24-hour meeting at the Mennonite Central Committee Welcoming Place in Akron, Pennsylvania, was the largest gathering of Anabaptist leaders on climate change in North America to date.  It was organized by the (CSCS).

Those gathered drafted a statement that was later signed by the majority of the participating organizations: 鈥淎s organizations founded on Christian faith in the Anabaptist tradition, we recognize the significant threat to global communities, economic justice, and the next generations from climate change. We are committed to explore our work and mission in support of sustainable and just climate solutions.鈥�

鈥淗aving so many organizations willing to come together and talk about climate change clearly reflects that this issue is important to Anabaptist communities,鈥� said Doug Graber Neufeld, director of CSCS, and professor of biology at 91短视频. 

Since its founding five years ago, CSCS has functioned as a joint initiative between three core partners: 91短视频, Mennonite Central Committee and Goshen College.  In order to broaden its reach, CSCS is in the process of deepening its relationships with a wider range of partners in programming, governance and financial support. 

The event was meant to provide a place for a focused conversation on the Anabaptist response to climate change as well as lay groundwork for future collaborations between the organizations. 

鈥淭here is a real risk that climate change will have a huge impact on things Mennonites care about,鈥� Ray Martin, who helped found CSCS, said in an opening speech. 鈥淲ell-being of families, conflict, sustainability of agriculture, hunger, our sense of community, our health, the livability of low-lying areas, even our faith (will be affected).鈥� 

Martin went on to say he believes Anabaptists are uniquely positioned for climate action. 

Anabaptists have a history of radical innovation, a theology centered around community and care for creation, a background in agriculture and land stewardship and a value placed on simple, selfless living.  These are attributes that 鈥渕ay make us more open to acknowledging the concerns of global warming and more willing to change our ways to address the risks,鈥� he said.

Jennifer Halteman Schrock, director of Mennonite Creation Care Network which works closely with CSCS on congregational outreach, appreciated the questions posed at the gathering. 鈥淗ow might we leverage our unique identity in practical ways? What assets do our organizations have that we could mobilize? What could we do together? It will take time for answers to emerge, but I believe they are the right ones to ask,鈥� she said.

Sarah Augustine, a participant who represented the Coalition for Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, was inspired by the willingness of the participants to 鈥渃ome together and speak with鈥� one voice鈥� despite the group鈥檚 diversity. 

Still, there were many voices not present at the table. 

鈥淲e represent the people who are causing the problem more than people who are affected by it,鈥� said Graber Neufeld. 鈥淲e are very aware of that.鈥�

To Augustine, the role of the Coalition at the gathering was to represent those on the front lines of climate change and remind others that climate change isn鈥檛 an abstract concept; there are people suffering right now. 

鈥淚ndigenous people and vulnerable people鈥� are usually the first people that are impacted; they鈥檙e the first that are going to be refugees, the first that are displaced, the first people injured by climate change,鈥� she said.  鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see Mennonite institutions willing to take a stand.鈥�

Brent Alderfer of Community Energy, Inc., extended this moral concern to future generations, 鈥淪olutions take more than a tweak to operations鈥攖hey require revamping our core missions to assure sustainability for generations to come.鈥� 

At the ACCC, participants were asked the question, 鈥榟ow can CSCS best support Anabaptist organizations in their climate efforts?鈥�

“With climate change accelerating, it is clear that individual organizations will find it more and more difficult to make a difference,” said Mark Lancaster, advancement director for CSCS.  “There is a growing need for building collaborations among Anabaptist organizations to create broader impact, and CSCS would like to embrace this role to coordinate work and catalyze actions.”  

The center plans to organize more gatherings on climate change in the future, and include a broader range of participants.  

In the meantime, CSCS facilitators encouraged participants to consider how Anabaptist organizations working in diverse areas can incorporate climate justice into their operations and missions.

For Mennonite Men, this looks like developing the JoinTrees campaign with the goal of planting a million trees by 2030. 

For Goshen College, climate action looks like developing young leaders and conducting research that will inform the sustainability work of others. 

For the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship, it means exploring the ethics and impact of climate change to human health, while for MennoMedia, it looks like incorporating Anabaptist perspectives of climate issues into the publications that reach beyond Anabaptist audiences.

The gathering left many participants with new questions, but also with newfound hope. 

鈥淗aving the Mennonite church step forward as a tradition and say 鈥榦n behalf of peace we have to defend the climate鈥� defend the earth.鈥� That brings me hope,鈥� said Augustine. 

Graber Neufeld concluded his presentation with a reminder: when it comes to climate action, the outcome is what鈥檚 most important. 

鈥淚n everything, we are not interested in doing things just for the sake of doing things, but because it makes a difference鈥︹�� he said.  鈥�(The) ultimate outcome for us would be climate justice.鈥�

Organizations that participated in the meeting were CSCS (as the convening organization), Coalition for Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, 91短视频, Everence Financial, Goshen College, MCC U.S., MCC Canada, MennoMedia, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Creation Care Network, Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite Economic Development Associates, Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship, Mennonite Men, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite World Conference, and Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College.

A link to the consensus statement and signatories is found at the CSCS website for the meeting:

Along the way, the riders stopped in communities to hear and share stories of what climate change means to a range of people across the nation.

Following the premiere will be a talkback session with a panel of Climate Riders.

The 聽were current or recent students of 91短视频, Goshen College, Fresno Pacific University, and Canadian Mennonite University, in addition to leader Joanna Friesen, volunteers Dan and MaryAnn Conrad driving the support vehicle and coordinator and leader David Landis.

Join through or register for the Zoom session here: 

Erik Curren, author of聽, will participate in an author talk and book signing at 91短视频 on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7聽p.m. Curren, also the author of聽, is a climate activist and history buff who applies lessons from the past to the world鈥檚 biggest challenge today, transitioning to a clean economy.

The event will happen in person on campus at Suter Science Center in Swartzendruber Hall.

Sponsoring organizations include Climate Action Alliance of the Valley, 91短视频鈥檚 Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, , 50by25 Harrisonburg, Shenandoah Faith and Climate, Sierra Club/Shenandoah Group, and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light.

Participate online through  or .

The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions is 鈥淢oving the Story鈥� on climate issues with its  this summer.  For 59 days, 17 riders will bicycle 3737 miles from Seattle to Washington D.C., stopping at communities along the way to hear and share stories of what climate change means to a range of people across the nation. The journey, beginning May 31, includes town halls, community bike rides, and regular updates and reflections that will give followers of the trip multiple ways to engage with the stories coming out of the ride.

Most of the riders are young adults from Mennonite colleges who were attracted to making an epic journey that combines the personal challenge of riding all the way across the country, with the chance to make a real difference on the most important issue for their generation.   91短视频 student Micah Buckwalter anticipates these conversations as life-changing 鈥淚鈥檒l come out of this experience with new perspectives.  Not only from the people that we鈥檒l be riding with  and connecting with on this two-month journey but also with the people that we鈥檒l be stopping and talking with along the way.

The Climate Ride grew out of CSCS鈥檚 conviction that hearing and sharing stories are key to making a difference on climate change.  As noted by renowned climate scientist and communicator Katherine Hayhoe, the most important thing we can do in response to climate change is to talk to each other about it.

Riders also share CSCS鈥檚 belief that Mennonites and other Anabaptists have something unique to contribute to the conversation around climate change.  Within a faith tradition of peace and justice, and an historical simple closeness to the land, Anabaptists are beginning to speak out on how to restore our broken relationships with each other, and with our planet.  鈥淚 think there鈥檚 no better way to understand what climate is doing to our earth than living super rooted in the earth and our bodies for two months.  If we can foster positive relationships with our bodies in nature, I think we can go out and change the world,鈥� said Goshen College rider Greta Lapp Klassen.

Interested followers are invited to engage with the journey in multiple ways.  A  will highlight , , and weekly video highlights.  Each week of the 8-week journey centers around a , such as looking at natural solutions to climate change in Yellowstone National Park, climate and racial justice in Lincoln Nebraska, and food and climate in Millersburg, Ohio.  The group will be visiting with organizations and groups to learn about their perspectives on these themes, such as a group of recent immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, an Amish community practicing sustainable agriculture, and a community effort to promote solar energy solutions.  

 are open to all, starting with the in Seattle on May 30 at 5 p.m. Pacific time.  Throughout the trip, townhalls will serve as spaces of dialogue between riders, local climate activists and community members on different climate-related themes.  The panelists at the first town hall in Seattle, titled 鈥淢oving the Story on Climate Change, Our Obligation to Respond,鈥� will include journalists Kate Yoder and Daniel Penner, and will ask the questions: What motivates people to respond to climate change?  And, what should the climate riders be asking communities along their journey?

The  mostly come as current or recent students of 91短视频, Goshen College, Fresno Pacific University, and Canadian Mennonite University, in addition to leader Joanna Friesen, and volunteers Dan and MaryAnn Conrad driving the support vehicle.  The group is joined by coordinator and leader David Landis for approximately half the trip, plus 2 riders from Mennonite Central Committee for shorter stretches of the trip.  

Others interested in joining the trip for a shorter stretch are  (July 24-28) from Pittsburgh to DC along the renowned  and .  The trip culminates in Washington DC with a celebration on the national mall, Capitol Hill visits for the riders and a townhall meeting in the evening where participants will reflect on their journey. 

We  the riders as they are transformed by this journey, as they listen to the diverse voices of our country鈥檚 communities, and as they experience a closeness to creation across the country. 

Clara Weybright ’20 is a Climate Futures Fellow with the , in partnership with MCC U.S. 聽Read on to hear about how she helped to connect 91短视频 students to lobby for climate justice earlier this spring. This article was published last week in Anabaptist World magazine. []

***

Nearly a year after graduating from 91短视频, I found myself back in the middle of an 91短视频 class I鈥檇 taken my junior year: Environmental Risk and Policy.

The class, taught by Doug Graber Neufeld, professor of biology and director of the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, introduced me to the world of environmental policy and eventually connected me to the .

Now, I had the opportunity to return to that same class to teach the students how to advocate for just policies that address climate change 鈥� an issue that has become my full-time job this year through a fellowship with CSCS, in partnership with MCC U.S.  

I was eager to share this knowledge because I鈥檝e become convinced the most effective way that we can get our nation to address climate change is through collective pressure on policymakers.

While individual actions to reduce our own carbon footprints are important, we need to act on the national and global levels too.

Our faith mandates that we confront injustice. Migration, public health and food production are all impacted negatively by climate change.

At the end of the class, the students met with staff in their senators鈥� offices to discuss federal funding for the Green Climate Fund. Supported by multiple countries, the fund helps low-income countries adapt to the pressures of a changing climate and reduce their own emissions.

The students were attending these meetings at a strategically beneficial time, as Congress was beginning the annual appropriations process.

None of these students had met with staff in a congressional office before. Some were nervous, but they carefully prepared a series of talking points and went into their meetings equipped to share their perspectives. Accompanied by either Neufeld or me, they told stories and asked questions of the congressional staff members.

What follows are excerpts from five students鈥� reflections after their meetings. I鈥檒l let them tell you, in their own words, why you should start advocating for improved climate policies:

From Rodrigo Barahona, a sophomore who met with staff of Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia:

As much as we can change our lifestyle to promote environmental sustainability, policies play a massive role in the way environmental issues are handled. Meetings such as this one provide a unique opportunity of connecting with those who have the capacity to achieve major strides on any particular issue. While meetings might have felt short and inconsequential to some, just the act of letting policymakers know what we deem important could make a big difference in the long run.

From Andrea Troyer, a sophomore who met with staff of Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia:

I found this experience life-giving because I was making an impact on a sustainability issue I deeply care about. The worries and tension eased up a lot when we learned that Sen. Warner would very likely support the Green Climate Fund and that energy and the environment are topics he finds important. [The staff member] even said, 鈥淚 wish Senator Warner was on this Zoom because he would agree with each of you,鈥� which put a smile on my face.

I think it鈥檚 important that we continue advocating because it brings the perspectives of all people to light to address issues that citizens care about. I would tell others who are considering visits to their public officials to do it. We need political participation more now than ever, and it鈥檚 life-giving to advocate for an issue one passionately cares about.

From Anika Hurst, a first-year student who met with staff of Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania:

[The meeting] was a little frustrating because it felt like we were not going to make a drastic difference in the decisions or opinions of the congressman and his [staff]. However, it was still a good experience that taught me a lot about advocacy and the importance of voicing beliefs even if there might not be an immediate result. 

I would tell others [interested in advocating] to continue to find ways to reach out and connect with their local officials. If more people connect with them and voice their opinions, then the representatives will gain a better picture of the public鈥檚 beliefs, and they may be more willing to do some more research and advocate on the public鈥檚 behalf. 

From Levi Geyer, a junior who met with staff of Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa:

I wanted to make sure I conveyed my passion for the subject and decided to use the story of my family鈥檚 farm to accomplish this. Story has a powerful honesty, a non-aggressive way of taking a firm stand. I spoke of our farm and how we are making changes to be more environmentally friendly. I wanted to show [the staff member] that we were willing to make changes and imply that he and other Iowans could, too.

From Micah Buckwalter, a sophomore who met with staff of Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia:

Climate change is something I am passionate about fighting, but sometimes it feels overwhelming to think of how much destruction has already been done and how much needs to happen for us to make significant change. Through this experience, I realized that advocating [to] our senators and representatives to show them how important this issue really is can be a great way to make an impact.

***

The advocacy these students did is something anyone can do. Visiting a legislator鈥檚 office, either in person or virtually, is straightforward. You don鈥檛 need to have an in-depth understanding of the policy. You simply need to understand its relevance and connect it to your personal convictions and stories.

Every year, MCC U.S.鈥檚 advocacy offices are joined by the efforts of thousands of constituents around the United States. Now, the world has gained 15 more young advocates who are equipped and empowered to advocate for climate justice.

To join these students鈥� efforts, see , . Also, keep an eye out for a forthcoming Climate Advocacy Resource, published through CSCS鈥檚 .

At the end of May, 17 cyclists will hit the pavement in Seattle, Washington to begin a two-month, 4,000 mile journey. They’ll pedal through the northern Rockies of Montana; Yellowstone National Park; the midwestern plains; and the Ohio Amish countryside en route to Washington DC. Their goal is simple: get folks interested in saving the world.

The trip, dubbed the “Climate Ride,” was organized by the (CSCS) 鈥� a partnership between 91短视频 (91短视频), Goshen College, and Mennonite Central Committee 鈥� to raise awareness about climate change and connect Anabaptist environmentalists all over the country.

Seminary student and assistant cross-country and triathlon coach Joanna Friesen will lead the trip, with David Landis ’05, the founder of Village to Village Press, which publishes adventure travel guides and develops walking and biking trails. The group includes seven 91短视频 undergraduate and graduate students, and a staff member.

The best way to stay up-to-date on the riders’ preparations, and make sure you don’t miss the kick-off on May 31, is to . The updates include participant profiles and more information about scheduled events and visits along their route.

The following climate riders from 91短视频 鈥�

• Anna Paetkau, senior,  
• Vanessa Gardiner, first-year,
• Elizabeth Miller, senior, 
• Thomas Guadalupe-Johnson, junior, 
• Micah Buckwalter, junior, 
• Isaac Alderfer, senior, 
• Caleb Schrock-Hurst, seminary student, and 
• Tyler Goss, assistant director of student programs,

鈥� will be joined by:

• Samantha Lioi, alumna of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary,
• Toby Bartlett, Fresno Pacific University, 
• Sierra Richer, Goshen College, 
• Loren Friesen, Fresno Pacific University,
• Denver Beck, Goshen College, 
• Miriam Huebner, Canadian Mennonite University, and 
• Greta Klassen, Goshen College.

This month the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions welcomes Clara Weybright ’20 and Joseph Harder ’20 as fellows for the upcoming year. The Climate Futures Fellowship Program is a year-long paid fellowship and provides the space and support for recent graduates to work on project proposals that align with the center鈥檚 mission. In the past, the center has had creative and meaningful projects from fellows, including a podcast series titled Shifting Climates. Current fellow Katie Isaac is working on Creation Care Action Plans for churches.

Weybright is a recent 2020 graduate of 91短视频 with a degree in environmental sustainability and minors in honors and English.  

鈥淓nvironmental communication has always been at the forefront of my interests. I鈥檝e enjoyed working more directly in the sciences, but I鈥檝e always been most motivated by making the environment 鈥� particularly as it intersects with justice issues 鈥� compelling to everyday people. That鈥檚 where this fellowship comes in!鈥� she explains.

Weybright will be based in the Mennonite Central Committee鈥檚 Washington, D.C. office.  Last year she interned there as part of the center鈥檚 Climate Advocacy Internship and 鈥渁bsolutely loved it.鈥� However, she left at the end of the summer wanting to do and learn more. She will be working closely with Tammy Alexander, who was her supervisor during the internship last summer. Alexander is the senior legislative associate for domestic affairs and a member of the center鈥檚 oversight board.  Weybright says 鈥渟ome of my favorite afternoons that summer were the ones where Tammy and I were walking to a meeting somewhere, and I could pester her with questions about her work and what makes advocacy so important.鈥� 

During her fellowship, Weybright will be focusing on 鈥渇inding ways to connect communities with sustained political action surrounding climate change.鈥� Her project will include surveying congregations to 鈥渁ssess understandings of what it means to do climate advocacy faithfully,鈥� and selecting some congregations that are 鈥渋nterested in committing to a long-term climate advocacy plan.鈥� She hopes that these congregations will be geographically, racially, and culturally diverse and is interested in utilizing her proficiency in Spanish to work with Spanish-speaking churches as well. 

鈥淎fter engaging in advocacy training myself, I鈥檒l assist these churches in establishing sustained advocacy that鈥檚 tailored to their specific community,鈥� she says. This will also include connecting them to local and existing grassroots organizing initiatives, as well as 鈥渉elping them identify and advocate their particular lawmakers.鈥� 

Weybright will also be creating a climate advocacy resource that will be accessible from the CSCS website. She is also writing for and studying for the LSAT.  After this year鈥檚 fellowship, she is planning on attending law school.

Harder, a native of Harrisonburg, is also a 2020 graduate of 91短视频 and majored in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in music composition, an attempt to 鈥渞oughly emulate a musicology major.鈥� Music has always been a big interest of his and is reflected in his project proposal.

For the coming year, Harder will be completing an analysis of environmental ethics in Mennonite hymnody. 鈥淚 am hoping [this project] will be personally meaningful due to the fact that it sits at the intersection of perhaps my three most active circles of thought 鈥� faith, music, and environment,鈥� he explains. 鈥淓ach of these elements is something I have grown up with a relationship to.鈥�  

Harder’s family is Mennonite. His parents are both from musical families and have engaged with music throughout their lives, and he was pushed both as a kid and now to 鈥渢hink actively on how to live sustainably.鈥� 

Currently, preparations for the new Mennonite hymnal are underway. Harder recognizes that his project might be too late to have an effect on the new hymnal, but hopes he 鈥渃an offer a fresh perspective to emerge alongside it.鈥� His work over the coming year will 鈥済ive people a critical lens through which to understand how Mennonite environmental ethics have arrived at their current position, the things we are doing well, and the ways the Mennonite community can improve its relationship to the environment 鈥� in hymnals and beyond.鈥� 

Not only is his project important for the Mennonite church, but it also creates space for self-reflection as he moves into the 鈥渂roader post-college world鈥� while trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs.  

鈥淚 think there is something valuable to be learned through this sort of interdisciplinary approach,鈥� says Harder, 鈥� a sort of intellectual ecotone, a crossroads between trains of thought that will potentially allow for some fruit that no train could have provided alone.鈥� 

In the meantime, Harder is the drummer of an indie soul band and also plays guitar, banjo, and piano. From gardening and farming to hiking to 鈥渕apping out every road in the countryside surrounding Harrisonburg via bike,鈥� he likes spending time outside when he is not working on music. Currently, he has been enjoying the wineberries and huckleberries on several trails in the area. In the coming year, aside from working on his fellowship, Harder will be trying to learn to make good curry and helping family friends remodel an ancient and abandoned house.

Doug Graber Neufeld, professor of biology at 91短视频 and director of the , has been appointed the chair of the Mennonite World Conference鈥檚 new Creation Care Task Force.

The task force was convened with the goal of helping 鈥渢he global Anabaptist communion understand our responsibility and take action in the global climate crisis.鈥� A core question is: 鈥淲hat does it mean to follow Jesus into this crisis?鈥�

The will explore the diverse ways in which members are affected by the climate crisis, assess practical ways to encourage ecologically faithful living, encourage the development of biblical and theological capacity relevant to the climate crisis, and formulate both short-term practical responses and a comprehensive plan for MWC ecological commitment.

“I am honored to work with sisters and brothers from around the planet on this task force, and to provide a connection between Mennonite World Conference and institutions here in North America that have been working with creation care,鈥� Graber Neufeld said. “We hope that this task force can give voice and leadership for the many people in churches around the world who passionately believe that being a disciple of Christ means we should care about all of creation.  

鈥淚t has become clear that taking care of our planet is one of the major challenges of our time, and that Anabaptists around the world have something important to contribute,鈥� he added. 鈥淭his is a global challenge, and the solutions are also global. As faithful followers of Christ, we are called to work together to care for creation, and Mennonite World Conference is positioned to bring together Mennonite voices from around the world on this issue.”  

The volunteer task force includes representation from MWC鈥檚 five regions, Mennonite Creation Care Network and Mennonite Central Committee, according to a . The group was organized by the Faith and Life Commission and will report to the MWC Executive Committee. Funding will come in part from MWC鈥檚 carbon offset account,, an initiative started in 2010 that sets aside $50 for every 1,000 kilograms of carbon burned as a result of official MWC travel. 

鈥淲e celebrate the emergence of this task force. Central to our mission is to respond faithfully to God鈥檚 renewal of his creation 鈥� which is one of the works of the Holy Spirit,鈥� says MWC general secretary C茅sar Garc铆a. 鈥淭his contrasts with the world鈥檚 practices of domination, exploitation and accumulation.鈥�

Although the global pandemic seems like the priority for this time, the drop in air pollution and the emergence of wildlife in regions under lockdown has demonstrated the interconnectedness of humans and their environment. 鈥淐OVID-19 shines a spotlight on the way that our well-being depends on a healthy relationship with God鈥檚 creation,鈥� said Graber Neufeld.

鈥淭he impacts we are feeling from the pandemic show more clearly similar challenges that will occur if climate change continues unmitigated,鈥� he says. 鈥淗owever, we also see more clearly how we can change to live in better relationship with creation.鈥�

In addition to Graber Neufeld, other members of the task force include:

Europe: Rebecca Froese, PhD candidate in Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany; associate fellow, Research Group Climate Change and Security, University of Hamburg, Germany. Home church: Mennonite Church Hamburg-Altona, Germany.

Africa: Sibonokuhle Ncube, national coordinator of compassionate development service, Brethren in Christ Church, Zimbabwe; MDiv (candidate), Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana

Latin America: Juliana Morillo, missionary in Peru and now in Colombia, with the Mennonite Teusaquillo Church in Bogot谩. MSc development and environmental management; Latin America Facilitator for the Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network.

Asia: Nindyo Sasongko, PhD (candidate), systematic theology, Fordham University, minister, GKMI Mennonite church, Indonesia.

North America: Jennifer Schrock, MDiv, Chicago Theological Seminary; director, Mennonite Creation Care Network, Goshen, Indiana. 

MCC: Anna Vogt, director of MCC Ottawa, formerly of MCC SEED and Justapaz in Colombia.

More reading

Readers may also be interested in Professor Graber Neufeld’s work on sand dams in Kenya. Read more and visit an

The first two episodes, which each received over 400 views on their initial release days, featured interviewees from Illinois, New York, Tennessee, West Virginia and Zimbabwe discussing how climate change has affected them, how their faith interacts with their beliefs about climate change, and their response to it.

Episodes three and four added voices from Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nepal. The remaining six episodes of season one will be released on Tuesday mornings into March and include stories from El Salvador and Native American traditions, and urban environmental justice movements. Season two will also include 10 episodes and will be released beginning this summer. [Editor’s note, 7/1/2019: Click here to read about the second season.]

The podcast and website is the work of the first (CSCS) Climate Futures Fellows, all 2018 91短视频 graduates. Harrison Horst and Michaela Mast are the full-time podcast hosts and Sarah Longenecker is the creator of its interactive website of podcast materials that includes her photography.

Their work has been invigorating 鈥� and often raised 鈥渕ore questions than answers,鈥� they wrote in comments (see below) about the ongoing experience.

鈥淪ome of our most memorable interviews were also the hardest,鈥� wrote Horst. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 been important that we couldn鈥檛 just avoid people who disagree with us. In fact, those conversations were the ones in which we often learned the most.鈥�

鈥淔or me, the podcast has transformed a paralyzing conversation into an empowering one,鈥� Mast said. 鈥淚 hope that for others as well 鈥� that as people listen to our podcast, it will equip them with stories, new language and a way to process their own questions, so that they might be able to find their own community of collaborators.鈥�

The year-long fellowships with CSCS 鈥� a partnership between 91短视频, Goshen College and Mennonite Central Committee to advance 鈥渢hinking and action in Anabaptist and other faith communities to mitigate climate change鈥� 鈥� will culminate in a presentation at the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Kansas City in July.

Horst, Mast and Longenecker recently responded to questions about their fellowship experiences:

What are some favorite anecdotes from interviews and visits?

Horst: Some of our most memorable interviews were also the hardest. Having a microphone in hand gives you an excuse to ask total strangers some deeply intimate questions, but the flipside of that is also true 鈥� if things get tense, you have to stick it out and continue having that conversation. For people like us, who maybe tend to shy away from conflict, I think it鈥檚 been important that we couldn鈥檛 just avoid people who disagree with us. In fact, those conversations were the ones in which we often learned the most.

While setting up one interview over the phone, we were warned that 鈥渢hey didn鈥檛 want to talk politics鈥� because of their sensitive position as a government official, which put us on edge as the interview drew nearer. But we ended up having a ton of fun, staying and talking with them for nearly two hours, laughing a lot and getting into some deep conversations that we weren鈥檛 expecting at all.

The process of lining up interviews wasn鈥檛 always smooth sailing, either. We often received referrals for other locals from our interviews, which led to a few frantic moments where we tried to sneak in one last interview before leaving the area for good. One man in Pittsburgh said he was even willing to wake up before our train left at 6:30 the next morning to talk with us 鈥� although thankfully, we were able to interview him the evening before, just before another one of his speaking engagements (which we actually caused him to be late to 鈥� 聽Yikes!).

But my favorite instance of this was when we managed to sneak in an interview during our six-hour train layover in Chicago. Luckily, the Amtrak station in Chicago isn鈥檛 too far away from the downtown area!

Longenecker: One thing I鈥檝e found with this project is that people are eager to talk about climate change. Whether they agree that it鈥檚 happening or not, it seems that people are craving an outlet to share and process their thoughts on climate change. In one interview, we didn鈥檛 ask a single question until we were almost 30 minutes into the interview; the person we were interviewing jumped right in and the conversation ended up being one of the most honest and respectful discussions we鈥檝e had. It was refreshing to me how upfront they were about their beliefs.

Why should people listen?

Horst: We aren鈥檛 climate specialists, or researchers, or professional communicators, or even podcasters 鈥� and we make a lot of mistakes. But I think that the questions we鈥檙e asking often go unsaid in our society, and several people have told us that it鈥檚 been reinvigorating to have those questions named and not avoided. We actually don鈥檛 talk about the science of climate change that much at all, and we鈥檙e not setting out to prove or disprove anything at all, and I think that gives this podcast a more honest feeling. We really are just three young people trying to figure out what it means to live in a world of shifting climates 鈥� both atmospheric and political.

Mast: Before this project, talking and thinking about climate change was too daunting to be constructive. It鈥檚 a very politically charged topic, and I tend to avoid debates. And confronting the predictions they鈥檙e making for the future is so overwhelming 鈥� at least I find it easy to feel afraid and disheartened. But what this project is allowing me to do is confront those fears with other people. Even though an effective response to climate change can feel impossible most days, having friends to do it with makes it all the more hopeful. It鈥檚 transformed a paralyzing conversation into an empowering one. And so I hope that for others as well 鈥� that as people listen to our podcast, it will equip them with stories, new language, and a way to process their own questions, so that they might be able to find their own community of collaborators.

Longenecker: Climate change is a global issue, inherently, and certainly conversations about climate justice should include a discussion of the disproportionate effects of climate change on other countries. But in my experience, conversations in the Mennonite church sometimes focus so much on global equality that we overlook local inequalities and divisions. One of my hopes for this podcast is that it will push Mennonite audiences, specifically, to look locally as much as globally.

What are you most excited about for the future episodes?

Horst: We鈥檙e starting to realize that the great thing about making podcasts is that, when done well, they often raise more questions than answers. To us, Shifting Climates represents more the beginning of a conversation than the end. It is so exciting to be part of a project like this and watch the conversations evolve over the course of weeks and months, and I鈥檓 excited to continue that process. The questions we ask in our podcast episodes are ones we鈥檝e been grappling with a while, and it鈥檚 actually really cathartic to name those questions and face them head on. I am sure that subsequent conversations with listeners will continue to spark new ideas and raise new questions, and it鈥檚 really an honor to be in the middle of that, at the nexus of so many interconnected conversations.

Mast: I am most invigorated when climate conversations end up having more to do with race, class, gender and discovering a good life for all people, which seems to be true most of the time! The second half of our season will delve into some of those areas more deeply. We have some amazing interviews to share.

Longenecker: I鈥檓 looking forward to incorporating more conversations about race into our episodes 鈥� specifically conversations about environmental racism in the U.S. 鈥� because I think that鈥檚 a topic that isn鈥檛 discussed enough in Mennonite churches. If we鈥檙e serious about understanding violence and justice we need to look at how the environment has been, and continues to be used to empower some and disempower others in the U.S. Asking questions such as, Who has access to resources? Who is most protected from natural disaster? Who has the means to relocate and/or rebuild? Who has ownership of or access to the most desirable pieces of land? Who has the cleanest air? And how is this a form of systemic racism?

鈥淵ou are, in a very strange way, the chosen people,鈥� he said in a convocation address: 鈥淵ou are the very first generation in 10,000 generations of humanity to be born into a planetary crisis. Whether you like it or not, this crisis is going to shape and frame the entirety of your life.鈥�

Shultz is the executive director of the , which he founded in 1992. It uses research and analysis, activism, training and support 鈥渢o strengthen struggles for social, economic and environmental justice,鈥� according to its website.

A long-time activist first in California and now around the world, Shultz lived for two decades in Bolivia, where last year he met 鈥渢o engage and challenge鈥� 91短视频 students on cross cultural, said Linda Martin Burkholder in convocation opening remarks.

And last week, just as the nation was grappling with the U.N. report, Shultz came to campus.

The crisis 鈥� and the good news

Eleven years, Shultz said. That鈥檚 how long humanity has 鈥渢o rapidly alter鈥� its use of fossil fuels and conduct agriculture before climate change is 鈥渓ocked in.鈥�

Already it has fired starting salvos:

鈥淲e get flooding. We get biblical-level fire seasons in California. We get droughts. We get heat waves,鈥� Shultz said. 鈥淲hat we are seeing right now is just the preview of coming attractions; we have entered the time in which we are no longer dealing with the theory of climate change; we are dealing with the opening act of climate change.鈥�

The many refugee crises right now will be dwarfed in a handful of decades, he said.

鈥淲hat happens in 40 and 50 years 鈥� or less 鈥� when the whole parts of the Persian Gulf become so hot and humid that it becomes impossible for human survival for more than 90 minutes outside?鈥� Or, he asked, when drought collapses rural economies in Central America?

Not the warm welcoming of refugees, he fears: 鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to be debating at that point whether to build a wall with Mexico. We鈥檙e going to be debating whether to put gun turrets on the wall,鈥� he said.

鈥淭hese are not alarmist projections,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese are projections based on where we are headed, and we need to pay attention to them鈥� 鈥� which thus far is not happening. 鈥淢y generation is not dealing with this. My generation is screwing around, and they are not paying attention, and it鈥檚 your future that鈥檚 on the line.鈥�

But there鈥檚 good news, he said: Humanity knows why what鈥檚 happening is taking place, and what to do about it.

To do

Shultz sees three options for responding to climate change:

• Option 1: Ignore the warnings, even though is 鈥渓ike a deafening, piercing smoke alarm going off in the kitchen,鈥� said Erik Solheim, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program in a .
• Option 2: Shield yourself from it 鈥渋n the way that we can use affluence to shield ourselves in gated communities,鈥� Shultz said. (Already, he said, 鈥渢here is almost in a directly inverse relationship between the amount of blame you bear for causing the crisis and the amount of impact on you.鈥�)
• Option 3: Take action.

But personal, voluntary changes will not be enough, Shutz said. Rather, 鈥渨e have to alter the behavior of billions of people on this planet in deep ways, wicked fast.鈥�

That will require changes in policy 鈥� new laws to 鈥渁lter what economists call 鈥榯he choice architecture around us,鈥欌�� he said 鈥� and the intentional use of 鈥渙ne of the most valuable and significant tools that we have鈥�: democracy.

The Democracy Center鈥檚 definition of democracy is 鈥渢hat every human being has a right and a responsibility to understand the public issues around them 鈥� and a responsibility to take action to change the world,鈥� he said.

So find your talents and marry them to your passions, he told the students, and do something creative, all ideas welcome for consideration 鈥� because 鈥渋f your generation doesn鈥檛 bring a sense of urgency to this and a demand for action, nothing is going to change.鈥�

After all, he said, 鈥渨hen the science fiction stuff starts to kick in, I鈥檒l be dead, and you won鈥檛 be.鈥�

Since mid-September, the three have been speaking to groups in Indiana, Virginia and other neighboring states at the invitation of the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS,) a nonprofit organization affiliated with 91短视频, Goshen College and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The tour concludes on聽Oct. 5.

If there is a common thread running through the experiences the representatives from the Global South, it is water: too little water to grow crops or too much water at the wrong times.

Nepal has experienced both extremes, enduring聽severe flooding in the southern part of the country in 2017 and yet experiencing a decreasing supply of water in the mountains.

鈥淓ight hundred million South Asian people depend on water from the Himalayas,鈥� explained Sunchiuri, an MCC staff member in Nepal. As temperatures warm and the ice recedes, droughts and the reduced flow combine to threaten not only the tourist industry that Nepal is renowned for but the lives of rural farmers.

Sunchiuri told stories about an apple farmer whose trees will no longer bear fruit and a village where women are walking two hours a day to obtain water because their water supply has dried up. Lack of water also has hampered rebuilding following the April 2015 earthquake, because cement can鈥檛 be made without water. 聽Some families remain homeless, he said.

Ncube, a double doctoral candidate in global management and human services, is a native of Zimbabwe and the only member of her high school class who still lives in the country. The rest have fled the 90 percent unemployment rate and droughts that come as frequently and regularly as labor pains instead of in a five- or 10-year cycle.

鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 a calling,鈥� Ncube said, referring to staying in her home country to help her people who are suffering because of climate change and encouraging the church to be a leader in addressing the crisis. 鈥淭his is where I think the life of God is,鈥� she said. Ncube serves with the Brethren In Christ Church鈥檚 Compassionate Development Services, an MCC partner.

Ncube cited climate change as one of the factors that created this month鈥檚 cholera epidemic in the capital city, Harare, where she lives.聽Migration to the city from the parched countryside weakened the already strained septic infrastructure.

In a speaking engagement on Sept. 18, the group met with northern Indiana pastors who gathered to discuss ways to address the denial and despair that surrounds climate change.

鈥淢ake climate change a main theme within all that you do,鈥� advised Martinez, who sees food shortages, malnutrition and conflicts over water affecting people in El Salvador. He works with Asociaci贸n Nuevo Amanecer de El Salvador (ANADES; New Dawn Association of El Salvador), an MCC partner organization seeking to create just and sustainable communities.

Oscar Romero, a Roman Catholic archbishop who was murdered during a mass in 1980 and who will be canonized as a saint on聽Oct. 14, was Martinez鈥檚 personal friend and mentor in the late 1970s. Martinez quoted his friend, 鈥淭o align ourselves with God is not to become the lord of nature or to become an exploiter of our natural surroundings.鈥�

CSCS and its partner organizations have made this tour possible because they believe that people in the U.S. need to hear informed and passionate voices from the Global South, said CSCS director Doug Graber Neufeld.聽 Those here can learn from those who are living out their theological confessions in these situations, he said. ”聽Including these voices is a moral imperative from a climate justice perspective, as well as an effective way of personally motivating North Americans to change attitudes, policies and practices.鈥�

Three events are open to the public. On Sunday, Sept. 30, Harrisonburg Mennonite Church hosts an event from 6-9 p.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 2, the trio speaks at 7 p.m. in Common Grounds Coffeehouse at 91短视频; this event is co-hosted by 91短视频鈥檚 Center for Interfaith Engagement and will consider how faith impacts engagement on the issue of climate change.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the speakers will share with the 91短视频 community from 10:10-11 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium. They will also visit classes.

The center is a collaborative initiative of 91短视频, Goshen College and Mennonite Central Committee to lead Anabaptist efforts to respond to the challenges of climate change.

During their engagement, participants will speak about the impact of climate change on health, agriculture, human rights and women and children. They鈥檒l also reflect on how their home communities perceive the role of North Americans in climate change issues and suggest areas of engagement and action, according to a CSCS press release.

鈥淭hese are critical voices from the global south who can share the impacts they see and feel in their communities,鈥� said Professor Doug Graber Neufeld. 鈥淲e hope that listening to their stories and perspectives will galvanize folks into changing their attitudes about climate change and their personal practices to make a difference.”

The speakers are:

Zacar铆as Bernab茅 Mart铆nez, of San Salvador, El Salvador, is coordinator for the community development program at ANADES (Asociaci贸n Nuevo Amanecer El Salvador). He has worked with communities throughout the Central American region on issues of climate change. He also has experience and expertise in health, human rights and agriculture.

Dr. Sibonokuhle Ncube, of Harare, Zimbabwe, is the national coordinator of Compassionate Development Service, the relief and development agency of the Brethren in Christ Church of Zimbabwe. She has 18 years of experience in various development contexts, including programs in climate change management, climate finance governance and disaster preparedness. Sibo and her husband live with their three daughters in Harare, where she serves as Deaconess at the Lobhengula Brethren In Christ Church.

Durga Sunchiuri, of Kathmandu, Nepal, has worked as a program coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Nepal since 2015, and previously as a program officer for various NGOs in Nepal. He has spoken about the impact of climate change on the lives of rural Nepalese farmers to church groups in the U.S., Canada and Finland. He has experience and expertise in managing agriculture and disaster relief projects.

The Global South Voices tour began in mid-September at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Great Lakes headquarters and includes visits to Goshen College in Indiana, Wheaton College in Illinois, and numerous churches and other events along the way. A final advocacy event and a visit to MCC headquarters in Akron, Pennsylvania, will be hosted by the MCC Washington D.C. office.