October 11, 2007

The link between environmental and religious Care of Creation was strengthened today as participants in a “Watersheds and Warming” workshop met to learn and discuss how climate change may be addressed within Alabama.

The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, with a grant from the World Wildlife Fund, brought together about 65 faith leaders from many denominations, scientists and science educators, conservation and community leaders, utility representatives, and real estate/development professionals to learn about the water efficiency/energy connection and begin collaborative planning.

Workshop participants learned and shared concerns about climate change, especially how it affects Alabama’s water. The workshop was a day of building bridges among these sectors and discovering ways participants can lead their faith communities, constituents and members to be better stewards of the Earth and its life-giving water resources. Participants left the workshop with proposals for action to help address climate change in Alabama.

The keynote speaker for the workshop was Don Elder, President of River Network (one of the nation's top watershed protection organizations) and founding director of The Cahaba River Society. Elder spoke about how climate change affects water resources and what we can do to anticipate and minimize the degradation to water quality, water supplies, and freshwater life that climate change is likely to cause. Elder is doing groundbreaking work that outlines the great potential nationwide for significant water efficiency gains that will also significantly reduce our energy use and carbon output, and quickly, to reduce potential climate change. This is a new way of thinking, even for the water resource experts that were in the room.

Dr. Larry Davenport, Professor of Biology, Samford University, presented the state's first scientific study of potential impacts of climate change on plant life and ecosystems here within the next century, according to two of the most widely accepted climate change models. Dr. Davenport delivered sobering news that brought climate change home, including impacts to agriculture (potential loss of the state’s peach crop as one example) and forestry. He indicated that many of the biological preserves that have been purchased in Alabama by The Nature Conservancy, Forever Wild, and others will no longer be able to support the ecosystems they now protect.

Other presenters included Maggie Wade Johnston, Director of the Environmental Center at Camp McDowell and The Rev. Mark Johnston, an Episcopal Priest and Executive Director of Camp McDowell. The Johnston’s provided workshop participants with a faith perspective on Care of Creation.

Half of the day was devoted to working in small groups to build new relationships across disciplines and generate ideas for joint projects. One exciting example was a proposed campaign through churches for a "10% Tithe for Care of Creation." This would be a family commitment to reduce water use by 10%, with the dollar savings on water and sewer bills being available to the family, or for church tithing, environmental donations, etc. The Cahaba River Society intends to be involved in follow-up on the various ideas from the workshop.

Workshop organizer, Eleanor DelBene, hopes that the interaction of the various communities working together can make a difference in Alabama, “to celebrate and enhance the rich diversity of creation here. We are focused on weaving broader networks for action.” DelBene was founding Chair of the Task Force for Stewardship of Creation for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and a Cahaba River Society Board member.

The workshop was made possible by a grant from the World Wildlife Fund. Organizations that contributed knowledge and resources to the planning of this event include: Alabama Environmental Council, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Cahaba River Society, McDowell Environmental Center, River Network, Sierra Club/Alabama Chapter, and Vulcan Materials Center for Environmental Stewardship and Education.

The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama’s Task Force for the Stewardship of Creation exists to educate the people of the diocese, to advocate for wise and just environmental policy, and to provide opportunities for service in the stewardship of earth. We have two related bodies, the Task Force and the Liaisons. The Task Force is a small group of interested persons who meet quarterly to prepare educational and liturgical materials and coordinate activities. They are appointed by the Bishop for 3-year terms. This group communicates with the Liaisons, who link the Task Force to the parishes in the Diocese. The Liaisons attend retreats and workshops and keep abreast of materials and activities provided by the Task Force and communicate with people in the parishes. www.stewardsforcreation.org