Stories of change
As we face the global climate crisis together, religious and spiritual people in every part of the world are making personal lifestyle changes.
We are transforming our personal lives in the ways that matter the most to us, and making a difference by practicing our deepest beliefs and values. We are taking action in three priority priority areas that have the most impact on our climate: transport, diet, and home energy use.
We represent diverse traditions, teachings, cultures, and ways of life, all working together to create a flourishing world. Read our stories and be inspired by our journeys of change!
Mr. Tomás Insua, Executive Director of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, discusses the Laudato Si’ Encyclical as an urgent call to action to transform the way we live and walk on the Earth.
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo, a Presbyterian pastor in the United States, says we should eat regionally-harvested foods. As a Venezuelan-American eco-theologian, she also serves as Latin America Director of GreenFaith.
Mr. Arnd Riester, a practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism in Germany, says we should drastically reduce plastic packaging, in part by avoiding supermarkets.
Rev. Bee Moorhead, a Presbyterian leader who directs Texas Impact’s interfaith legislative advocacy network, reflects upon feelings of community and a loving universe.
Ms. Nana Firman is the Co-Founder of the Global Muslim Climate Network, as well as the Muslim Outreach Director of GreenFaith. As a Muslim working in Indonesia and the United States, she explains the Koran’s teachings that we must walk gently upon the Earth.
Rev. Henrik Grape, a Climate Change Officer with the World Council of Churches, discusses the difficulty of removing structural barriers to change.
The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California, is working to reduce his personal carbon footprint.
Ms. Merle Riester, a young practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism in Germany, reflects upon the strange experience of realizing how much material “stuff” we don’t truly need.
Ms. Caroline Bader is the Director of “Living the Change” with GreenFaith. Based in Germany, and previously serving as Youth Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, she believes it is her responsibility as a Christian to care for her climate neighbors as her brothers and sisters around the world.
Mr. Gopal Patel directs the Bhumi Project, an international Hindu environmental network based in the U.K. This year, he is planning to go vegan.
Mr. Saffet Catovic, a Bosnian-American Muslim working with the Islamic Society of North America, wants to move towards a more plant-based diet, which is the diet of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him).
Mr. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, the U.S. National Organizer & Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, celebrates seeing the transformation promised in the Gospel manifested in his own sustainable lifestyle.