ICAN Members' Thoughts on the Environment and Climate Change
We in ICAN are passionate about the environment, climate change and the effects of climate change on us all. Below are a few thoughts our members would like to share.
“We can see Climate Chaos all around us. We see it in drought and fires in the western states, the warming arctic and the plight of indigenous peoples there, as well as the hurricanes and storm surges effecting the south and eastern sea boards. We’ve seen the human costs domestically and internationally, as people migrate away from desertification, flooding and loss of crops. The UN just updated its estimate of ecological refugees from 100 million to 2 billion by the year 2100. Every little bit we do together will make a difference in a world being transformed by human hands.”
- Rev. Will McGarvey, Community Presbyterian Church (UCC & PC USA), , Christian
'' Jan Warren, Lafayette Christian Church, Christian
'' Maren Stanczak, First Presbyterian Church of Concord, Christian
"Three things impel me to act: being an atheist, childless and my love of nature. Walking among trees, especially pines or redwoods, is be the closest I have ever come to experiencing any spirituality. The marvel of the natural world, including almost magical processes like photosynthesis, are an affirmation of, not only life, but our interconnectedness. As an atheist, I have always been reassured by the fact that at least civilization would continue on after me. Childless, that future generations would be born. But Climate Change has ended the surety of all my comforts. It is predicted to deplete bio-diversity. It has/will demolish cities and countries. It is may also decimate the human population. Those of us who are paying attention must do all we can for children, future generations and the planet. The earth is our home."
- Marnie Parker, Chair of the Green Group, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
'' Tony Newey, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
"I love the trees since I was a baby. Now, at 87, I hope to live long enough to see more people learn to love the trees & the earth."
- Qahira Santana, Muslim
'' Audrey Albrecht, Citizens Climate Lobby
'' Betty Lobos, Citizens Climate Lobby
'' Dee Simmons, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
'' Marti Roach, Citizens Climate Lobby
'' Frances Aubrey, 350 Bay Area
"The reason I have passion for the work of ICAN is I can see not only the results of human-caused effects on climate but the disastrous future if we don't do something to reduce this. I believe we are at a tipping point about which we must do something. Not only a religious faith that reminds me we are "all a part of the interdependent of existence" but a clear-headed view of what is happening and what is causing it compels me to want to take action - and ICAN provides me with an opportunity to do this."
- Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Minister Emeritus, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
"I believe that all of Nature is sacred; every rock, every tree, every bacterium and every person, not necessarily in that order. This planet, its life and Nature will continue on with or without us: we have to decide whether we want to be part of Earth's future."
- Dr Felicity Grove, Covenant of the Goddess, Pagan
- Rev. Will McGarvey, Community Presbyterian Church (UCC & PC USA), , Christian
'' Jan Warren, Lafayette Christian Church, Christian
'' Maren Stanczak, First Presbyterian Church of Concord, Christian
"Three things impel me to act: being an atheist, childless and my love of nature. Walking among trees, especially pines or redwoods, is be the closest I have ever come to experiencing any spirituality. The marvel of the natural world, including almost magical processes like photosynthesis, are an affirmation of, not only life, but our interconnectedness. As an atheist, I have always been reassured by the fact that at least civilization would continue on after me. Childless, that future generations would be born. But Climate Change has ended the surety of all my comforts. It is predicted to deplete bio-diversity. It has/will demolish cities and countries. It is may also decimate the human population. Those of us who are paying attention must do all we can for children, future generations and the planet. The earth is our home."
- Marnie Parker, Chair of the Green Group, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
'' Tony Newey, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
"I love the trees since I was a baby. Now, at 87, I hope to live long enough to see more people learn to love the trees & the earth."
- Qahira Santana, Muslim
'' Audrey Albrecht, Citizens Climate Lobby
'' Betty Lobos, Citizens Climate Lobby
'' Dee Simmons, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
'' Marti Roach, Citizens Climate Lobby
'' Frances Aubrey, 350 Bay Area
"The reason I have passion for the work of ICAN is I can see not only the results of human-caused effects on climate but the disastrous future if we don't do something to reduce this. I believe we are at a tipping point about which we must do something. Not only a religious faith that reminds me we are "all a part of the interdependent of existence" but a clear-headed view of what is happening and what is causing it compels me to want to take action - and ICAN provides me with an opportunity to do this."
- Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Minister Emeritus, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
"I believe that all of Nature is sacred; every rock, every tree, every bacterium and every person, not necessarily in that order. This planet, its life and Nature will continue on with or without us: we have to decide whether we want to be part of Earth's future."
- Dr Felicity Grove, Covenant of the Goddess, Pagan