Ecological Justice Resources

At Middle, we know that God created us to be in loving relationship with our human and non-human kin alike. We affirm the personhood of rivers, plants and animals, and seek to construct faith that honors our place among them. We reject the fundamental racism that has transformed communities of color into environmental sacrifice zones. And we know that true climate solutions will be found outside capitalism.

Middle Church has responded in real time on the ground through organizing, rebuilding, fundraising, and advocacy after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Hurricane Sandy in New York City and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. We know that climate change disproportionately harms people of color and the poor, and center intersectional ecological efforts. We see how environmental degradation, racism, and poverty are interconnected. And we seek structural change. Our children and our senior minister have preached about climate change and creation care, confirming our long-term commitment. We can all do better to reduce our footprint, and Middle Church is committed to doing so.

Articles

How Puerto Rico’s Debt Created a Perfect Storm Before the Storm – NPR
This Is Environmental Racism: Black Community in Memphis Resists Proposed Crude Oil Pipeline – ABC News
We Shouldn’t Be Surprised that Kids are Radicalised – The Guardian
How to Heal in the Anthropocene – BBC
The Solutions and Answers We Seek Exist with We, the People – Red Nation

Books

This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret by Catherine Coleman Flowers
As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock by Dina Gilio-Whitaker

Video

A Message from the Future with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Organizations

The Red New Deal
Collective Action for Puerto Rico
Sunrise Movement