Finding What is Ours to Do
We don't have a right to ask whether we're going to succeed or not. The only question we have a right to ask is what's the right thing to do?
~ Wendell Berry
Listen to this podcast from the Bangor Theological Seminary's excellent podcast series, "Climate Changed," featuring an interview with Quaker author, activist, and organizer Eileen Flanagan, titled "What is Ours to Do?"
Becoming the Quakers the Climate Movement Needs Now
While there is much cause for active hope for a livable future in these times that are unofficially being labeled the Anthropocene Epoch, we also know that the long-term survivability of all of Creation depends on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reshaping human society and is systems. As the years tick by and greenhouse gas emissions rebound to near pre-pandemic levels, it is hard to ignore the fact that the world is off track in its efforts to meet international targets on climate stabilization. Many, especially younger people, find themselves in outright despair, their own futures now so uncertain, even perilous.
In the midst of such existential struggles, our actions as Quakers, as members of the Religious Society of Friends of Truth, may be of particular service to the personal, political, strategic and spiritual challenges accompanying the climate crisis. In the face of paralyzing doubt, we must spread, as quickly as we can, this important truth: people around the world are finding the answers they need and are putting those answers to work. Their successes are a source of both hope and clear direction. The stories, lessons, tools, strategies, and relationships coming from climate activism, many of them to be found on or linked from this website, form a ground for us as we each discern what we, as humans and as Quakers, are now called to do in the service of life, of survival, of justice, of love, and of a livable future.
To be clear, in holding out these promises of meaningful action, we do not say it will be easy. Outcomes are far from certain and our work must often be undertaken as an act of faith. There are likely to be decades of disasters still ahead, now too late to stop no matter what we do. Hundreds of species and ecosystems are headed for extinction. But that is not the end of the story.
We are far from being defeated, and are definitely not powerless. We have a duty to save all that still can be saved--ourselves included--and to change all that must be changed. The Quaker Statement on Climate Change developed jointly by several Quaker organizations in 2014 and subsequently signed by Meetings worldwide, including several in Pacific Yearly Meeting, states this clearly:
As Quakers we are called to work for the Peaceable Kingdom of God on the whole Earth, in right sharing with all peoples. We recognize a moral duty to cherish Creation for future generations.
As Friends, we know that the climate crisis is inseparable from peace and justice concerns. The Quaker Statement on Climate Change recognizes the connections between climate change and global economic injustice. 'Intersectionality' is the word being used by climate activists and Quaker organizations to describe the overlapping and interdependent systems of disadvantage and oppression that restrict people's capacity to adapt to climate change, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Quoting again from the Statement: "We recognize a personal and collective responsibility to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable peoples now, and all our future generations, do not suffer as a consequence of our actions. We see this as a call to conscience."
How, then, do we live into that call to conscience, bringing action to the fore? How can we minister to the hopelessness so many people experience? We know that stories of successful action, ecosystem resilience, and communities coming together to effect positive change does foster active, evidence-based hope. How do we connect Friends and others with stories about such promising strategies, solutions and actions? And how do we connect these stories to the existential struggles that now grip so many? How can we reawaken our fire to save all that we can save, and to be part of life rebounding, re-wilding and healing the harms done, while finding new ways to meet the needs of all--and doing it now? And what does it look like, realistically, to live sustainably and justly on our beautiful Earth?
These are big questions, but they are also very practical ones with actionable, even compelling, answers and proven paths out of the mess in which we now find ourselves. Friends' testimonies and traditions are well-suited to the needs of these times, of this the planetary crisis. As Friends, we know that we are not necessarily called to be successful--we are called to be faithful, and that hope is a brave act of faith that requires courage and commitment in the face of uncertainty. The climate crisis calls upon not only our testimonies and our experience as activists, but also our best Quaker traditions of discernment of leadings, of speaking truth to power, and of deep listening, long-practiced and well-honed. It aligns with our call to "walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone," including 'all our relations' in the living world.
With the existential threat of climate change, it’s only natural to feel overwhelming emotions of anxiety, fear, anger, or despair. Beneath those emotions, there is often sadness and grief. These feelings cannot--should not--be set aside. Indeed, if we are in grief, then it is our very grief that must drive us not to despair but to action--actions that are the most effective we can possibly find, and to engage in them with our whole being. Brave acts of faith. But at the same time it is critically important to find sources of hope and empowerment that can allow us to imagine a better future and work towards it. The PacYM Unity with Nature Committee finds a great deal of hope and inspiration in connecting with other Friends actively engaged in the climate movement and making new friends by sharing and collaborating with other faith-based or secular climate organizations.
We persist the longest, are most fulfilled, and do our best work when we can find the best fit between what we do & what we love--in the climate movement as in all else. We hope to demonstrate on this website just how diverse the potential climate actions are, and how each, in its own way, is critically needed. This website exists to facilitate access to climate strategies and solutions and to connect the people and Meetings who are acting upon them, sharing stories, struggles, resources, support--brave acts of faith. May we each discern what is ours to do, and inspire one another to do it.
How, then, do we live into that call to conscience, bringing action to the fore? How can we minister to the hopelessness so many people experience? We know that stories of successful action, ecosystem resilience, and communities coming together to effect positive change does foster active, evidence-based hope. How do we connect Friends and others with stories about such promising strategies, solutions and actions? And how do we connect these stories to the existential struggles that now grip so many? How can we reawaken our fire to save all that we can save, and to be part of life rebounding, re-wilding and healing the harms done, while finding new ways to meet the needs of all--and doing it now? And what does it look like, realistically, to live sustainably and justly on our beautiful Earth?
These are big questions, but they are also very practical ones with actionable, even compelling, answers and proven paths out of the mess in which we now find ourselves. Friends' testimonies and traditions are well-suited to the needs of these times, of this the planetary crisis. As Friends, we know that we are not necessarily called to be successful--we are called to be faithful, and that hope is a brave act of faith that requires courage and commitment in the face of uncertainty. The climate crisis calls upon not only our testimonies and our experience as activists, but also our best Quaker traditions of discernment of leadings, of speaking truth to power, and of deep listening, long-practiced and well-honed. It aligns with our call to "walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone," including 'all our relations' in the living world.
With the existential threat of climate change, it’s only natural to feel overwhelming emotions of anxiety, fear, anger, or despair. Beneath those emotions, there is often sadness and grief. These feelings cannot--should not--be set aside. Indeed, if we are in grief, then it is our very grief that must drive us not to despair but to action--actions that are the most effective we can possibly find, and to engage in them with our whole being. Brave acts of faith. But at the same time it is critically important to find sources of hope and empowerment that can allow us to imagine a better future and work towards it. The PacYM Unity with Nature Committee finds a great deal of hope and inspiration in connecting with other Friends actively engaged in the climate movement and making new friends by sharing and collaborating with other faith-based or secular climate organizations.
We persist the longest, are most fulfilled, and do our best work when we can find the best fit between what we do & what we love--in the climate movement as in all else. We hope to demonstrate on this website just how diverse the potential climate actions are, and how each, in its own way, is critically needed. This website exists to facilitate access to climate strategies and solutions and to connect the people and Meetings who are acting upon them, sharing stories, struggles, resources, support--brave acts of faith. May we each discern what is ours to do, and inspire one another to do it.
Queries
How can my life be a witness against climate change and for care of the Earth?
As Friends, we are experienced with the power of non-violent resistance, mobilization, and Spirit-led action. How might we use these powers to become vessels for God's work?
How can we have the most impact in giving voice to our climate concerns? Is our speech on these subjects honest, unpretentious, and open to mutual learning? (from Strawberry Creek MM's Deep Ecology Study Group)
Do we believe, as New England Yearly Meeting has minuted, that "it is incumbent upon every Friend and every Friends Meeting to discover how God is leading us to do our part to reverse this great threat"? If so, how do we discern "our part?"
How can my life be a witness against climate change and for care of the Earth?
As Friends, we are experienced with the power of non-violent resistance, mobilization, and Spirit-led action. How might we use these powers to become vessels for God's work?
How can we have the most impact in giving voice to our climate concerns? Is our speech on these subjects honest, unpretentious, and open to mutual learning? (from Strawberry Creek MM's Deep Ecology Study Group)
Do we believe, as New England Yearly Meeting has minuted, that "it is incumbent upon every Friend and every Friends Meeting to discover how God is leading us to do our part to reverse this great threat"? If so, how do we discern "our part?"
For Further Inquiry & Inspiration
Click on the Images for Links
Click on the Images for Links
Clover clearness Process
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ONLINE COURSE: FINDING YOUR ROLE IN THIS MOMENT OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Eileen Flanagan offers an online course titled Finding your Role in this Moment of Social Change featuring over 90 minutes of video content on various topics in 5-10 minute segments. Eileen is the former board chair of the Earth Quaker Action Team and has written many articles and three books, on topics of activism, climate change and environmental justice, and spirituality.
Additional Queries
This page includes an assortment of queries about care of the Earth from various Quaker Meetings, Yearly Meetings, and organizations around the world. They are not edited, but represent a range of climate concerns and perspectives.
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What is ours to do?
How might we, as individuals and as Quakers, be of particular service to the personal, political, strategic and spiritual challenges that accompany the climate crisis? As Friends, we know that we are not necessarily called to be successful--we are called to be faithful, and that hope is a brave act of faith requiring courage and commitment in the face of uncertainty. Explore how we might each discern what is ours to do, and inspire one another to do it. |
An Excellent Podcast Series
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