Our Work
Guided by biblical teaching, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment seeks to encourage people of faith to weave values and programs of care for God's creation throughout the entire fabric of religious life and to bring the religious voice to the forefront as we join together to address environmental concerns and care for God's Earth and God's people.
Issues
Climate Change
As a profound reflection on the damaged nature of our relationship to creation, climate change is one of the most concerning issues to faith leaders of many faith traditions. The burdens of climate change impacts aren't borne by us equally; part of our work requires us to attend to climate justice and address related social and economic injustices.
Water
Clean water is both a fundamental spiritual and physical need. Water, with its connective and restorative properties, helps us connect with God's creation and sustains us. Attending to clean water access is an important part of our need to address environmental justice.
|
Species Protection
The religious community has a particular concern for God's creatures. Every species is part of a fragile web of life, and the loss of a species is an irreparable blow to the balance of an entire ecosystem. We can provide for a new "Noah's Ark" through species protection.
Land
Access to land is one of the most tangible issues of environmental justice; in addition, beautiful, pristine lands help us feel a sense of awe at the marvel of God's creation and allows us to reflect on and connect to our spirituality. Our stories are held on God's lands and our faith requires us to ensure that public lands tell the stories of all communities.
|
News & Statements
Religious Organizations Celebrate Establishment of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
On October 11, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration designated the 3rd largest and 17th national marine sanctuary, along 116 miles of California's central coast. It is the first Indigenous-nominated sanctuary, and protects the sacred waters of the Chumash people. The sanctuary sets an important precedent for elevating Indigenous perspectives, cultural values in ocean conservation, and collaborative management that includes all Central Coast Tribes. Stewardship of public land and waters, preservation of our historic and cultural heritage and striving for justice is an important part of our role as caretakers.
NRPE Celebrates Blackwell School National Historic Site
On July 17, 2024, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland officially established Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa, Texas as the nation’s newest national park. This park is only the second National Park Service site dedicated specifically to modern Latino history. The school serves as a reminder of the discrimination and de facto segregation of Hispanic Americans that occurred from 1889 to 1965. NRPE applauds this designation as a step towards a more complete and honest telling of American history through our public lands.
Black Church Leaders Support Pollution Standards and Climate Change Action
Close to 4,000 Black Church leaders including Senior Bishops sent a letter to the Biden Administration and Congress urging strong and bold action on pollution. "The public health and environmental impacts of pollution that comes from fossil-fuel-fired power plants and cars have long hurt Black communities in America first and worst,” they stated. "The EPA must implement robust pollution and air quality standards and Congress must abide by these standards, ensuring that the breadth of life flows freely through every community."
NRPE Urges Protection for Old Growth Forests
On the heels of an announcement by the Biden Administration to limit logging in old growth and mature forests, NRPE Executive Director Cassandra Carmichael stated:
"The Biden Administration's proposal to preserve old growth and mature forests will not only help preserve God's creation but is a necessary step to address climate change."
"The Biden Administration's proposal to preserve old growth and mature forests will not only help preserve God's creation but is a necessary step to address climate change."
Top Black Church Leaders join NAACP Leadership and Black Clergy to Call for Springfield National Monument
More than 5,300 Black Church and NAACP leaders including 7 heads of Black Church denominations, 42 Black Church Bishops and 19 NAACP Branch Presidents sent President Biden a petition urging him to designate the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riots as a National Monument. They stated, "A Springfield Race Riot National Monument would be the only unit in the National Park System that highlights both the tragedy of mass violence against Black communities and the triumph of Black agency.”