Finding Hope for a Healthy Planet

“We need to move past disbelief, apathy, and the fears holding back ecological balance and recognize climate change for the moral issue that it is. We, as individuals, are connected with all creation on Earth.”

This message brought a capacity crowd to Good Counsel Hill in Mankato last November for the 8th annual Earth Conference sponsored by the SSND Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry. The conference focus was, “Climate Change: Finding Hope for a Healthy Planet.” It was a day of education, reflection, community-building and networking.

Keynote speaker, Duane Ninneman, climate and energy director of Clean Up the River Environment (CURE), presented a brief history of climate change, its latest trends and facts, and highlighted the work being accomplished in Minnesota. One key idea he stressed is that climate change is a global issue that requires a global response made up a millions of local actions.

Participants were challenged with narratives, resources and actions to further move their state and nation to choose alternative sustainable energy resources. Within the day, all paused in reflection and dialog to offer ideas among themselves of future actions. With new initiatives, participants were inspired with hope.

How are you leaving future generations a cleaner, safer world?

To learn more about the activities of Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry (CESRM),
please visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CenterForEarthSpirituality.

by Lisa Coons and Kathleen Mary Kiemen, SSND,
co-directors of the Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry (CESRM)