How Do We Stop Doing Things That Make No Sense? with special guest Rev. Mariama White-Hammond

In this very first episode of the new Climate Changed podcast you will experience:

• Introductions by the co-hosts, Nicole Diroff & Ben Yosua-Davis
• A centering practice led by Peterson Toscano
• Remarks about the state of our world and churches by Rev. Mariama White-Hammond
• Ben and Nicole’s deep and moving discussion about those remarks
• Next Steps

Next Steps for Engaged Hope

• Hear more of Rev. Mariama White-Hammond from the 2021 Convocation
• Do one small thing to defy the powers that be
  • Stage a small protest at a street corner
  • Hand out cookies or free bottles of water
  • Greet a stranger or knock on a neighbor’s door and introduce yourself or just say hello
• Journal or write an email to a friend as you reflect on the following prompt:  Imagine you must evacuate your home in 5 minutes from an extreme weather event. Besides loved ones and pets, what will you take with you and why? Once you answer, I encourage you to share the prompt and your answer through Facebook or some other social media and invite others to share their answers.

Links

Climate Changed podcast: https://climatechanged.podbean.com/

The BTS Center: https://thebtscenter.org/

Convocation 2021 Mariama White-Hammond keynote address: https://vimeo.com/620459476

“I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy... and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation...” — James “Gus” Speth

About Rev. Mariama White-Hammond

Rev. Mariama White-Hammond is a pastor, advocate, facilitator, and farmer whose work spans issues and sectors as she seeks to create a more just and sustainable world.

She was recently appointed Chief of Energy, Environment and Open Spaces for the City of Boston under Mayor Kim Janey. In that role she oversees everything from Archeology to Animal Control. In particular, she is focused on what Boston can do to combat climate change, reduce environmental inequities and protect Boston’s urban ecosystem for everyone to enjoy. She is the founding pastor of New Roots AME Church, a multi-racial, multi-class community that is innovating new ways of doing church.

Rev. Mariama uses an intersectional lens in her ecological work, challenging folks to see the connections between immigration and climate change or the relationship between energy policy and economic justice. She was a fellow with the Green Justice Coalition, which brings together eight social/environmental justice groups from around Massachusetts. She is the chair of the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund and the co-chair of RENEW New England.