“When I look around, the biggest way in which we are failing to care for those in need is through ignoring climate change and acting like it doesn't exist. ”

Katharine Hayhoe, Canadian, Christian Evangelical, Climate Scientist

Faith & the Common Good is mandated to support our network to work collectively to raise awareness and encourage action to ensure that all living beings, including future generations, have access to clean air and water, toxic-free living environments, and a life-supporting climate. With Federal elections in October, this Fall presents a unique time to work together to generate new political momentum in Canada on behalf of our shared Earth.

We cannot remain silent nor isolated when the web of life which sustains us is declining as never before in human history. More than ever, we have a responsibility to help create a national path forward by collectively witnessing both the destruction that we are complicit in as well as the positive, local actions being taken by diverse communities across Canada to walk more gently on the planet.

We have assembled the resources below to help you think about how you might use your voice, vote, and prayers to advocate on behalf of a life-supporting climate this Fall.

Share why! Take a photo or record a quick video of yourself holding a sign/explaining why you’re going to take part. Share it on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account. Be sure to use the hashtags #climatestrike #earthstrike #FaithInOurFuture.

Your reasons for joining the global climate strike might resonate with someone unexpected and encourage them to join too.

Together we are stronger.

Stand with Young People – September Climate Strikes

Millions of people across the world are going to be striking for the climate in September. Youth-led strikes (we love Greta - https://fridaysforfuture.ca/ !) will begin on September 20th, culminating in a general strike on September 27th. We at Faith & the Common Good will be shutting down operations and striking for the climate on September 27th. What about you? To learn more about strikes being organized in your community, check out these two resources:

• Youth-led Fridays for Future Canada
• General Climate Strike Canada

Organize or Participate in “All Candidates” Debates

• 100 Debates on the Environment brings together community groups, non-profits, businesses and individuals who are working to increase the level of environmental leadership in Canada by holding 100 strictly non-partisan all-candidate debates on the environment before the next election. Click here to RSVP for debate in your area.
• The United Church of Canada has a great guide for faith communities interested in hosting an all-candidates debate. It is designed for United churches but could be used by any spiritual community.

Click here to view the PDF resource.

Question your Electoral Candidates

• Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) have again created a useful guide for people of faith and conscience who are searching for critical questions to ask political officials and candidates on needed action to protect a life-supporting climate and those made vulnerable by climate destabilization.

Click here to learn more.

Engage in Climate Conversations

• Canadian, Christian evangelical, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s most insightful climate advocates, has this advice for action. Engage friends, families, and co-workers in climate conversations.

Respect people’s values. “How did I persuade him? Not by overwhelming him with data and facts, and certainly not by starting off our conversation with something we disagreed on. Rather, I did it by beginning with his values, showing my respect for them and then connecting the dots between what he already cared about and a changing climate. ”

Be tangible and hopeful. “We hear [a primarily negative message]: to fix climate change, we have to stop using energy, stop traveling, stop eating meat, stop growing the economy, and stop having children. That’s a pretty daunting list for many people. That’s why talking about real solutions… is so important. We need to hear the stories of real people, making real-life choices today, that save money, improve our health, increase our energy independence, grow local jobs, and help those less fortunate than us. We need choices that, when you add them all up, make our lives better than they are today, not worse.”

• The good news is that these conversations are already happening around the country. Check out Climate Fast’s Kitchen Table Climate Conversations for great facilitation tips and resources.

Looking for examples of tangible actions and positive solutions being spearheaded by communities of faith and spirit? Check out Faith & the Common Goods’ case studies and Faithful Footprints’ inspirational stories.

Educate yourself

• Faith & the Common Good is a member of Canada’s Climate Action Network (CAN-Rac), a coalition of more than 100 diverse organizations operating from coast to coast to coast on climate and energy. CAN-Rac has two terrific resources for those who want a more detailed understanding of the system-level changes needed to ensure a healthy climate for our children.

Click here to view Environmental Platform Asks: 2019 Canada Federal Elections.

Click here to view Getting Real About Canada’s Climate Plan to learn more about climate and environmental policy in Canada.

• Check out this article in the Toronto Star on what you can do to help you find your own path forward with climate action.

• Follow the #oneearthonevote campaign to be a part of the climate conversation.

May we join together and stand up for the Earth that supports us.

In hope and gratitude,

Faith & the Common Good team

Have a suggestion for other Canadian, non-partisan, climate advocacy resources for us to include? Send us an e-mail: [email protected]