EarthBeat Weekly: Find politics and science coverage at EarthBeat

Find politics and science coverage at EarthBeat Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change July 28, 2023 DTE Energy's coal-fired Monroe Power Plant, operating on the shores of Lake Erie, is scheduled to retire in 2032. It is viewed here from Sterling State Park, in Monroe, Michigan, in November 2021. (Amy Ketner) When we were redesigning the EarthBeat website last year, one of the tasks was to determine our sections. Still new in my role as NCR environment editor, I consulted colleagues; one advised me to think about what I would want a new reader to know about EarthBeat. That led to choosing faith, science, politics and justice as the main EarthBeat website sections. It's important to me that readers know EarthBeat takes an intersectional approach to our reporting — highlighting what Pope Francis refers to as integral ecology, and how intricately everything is interconnected. Our headlines this week show well why these sections have a home at EarthBeat. In the politics section this week, NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe reported how houses of worship and other faith-based organizations can take advantage of direct pay provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to complete clean energy projects on their properties. The information was shared during a webinar hosted by Interfaith Power & Light. "Faith organizations are uniquely positioned to get the word out about the stakes of this moment, and the tools that we have at our disposal to meet it," said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to webinar participants. Read more: 'Game changer': Energy secretary touts tax incentives to power faith communities with renewables And freelance reporter Amy Ketner covered an event in Monroe, Michigan, at the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary where Catholics joined with other local leaders, including a pulmonologist, to advocate support of EPA pollution limits, highlighting especially how a local power plant has adversely affected the health of the surrounding community. Read more: Michigan event backs EPA pollution limits, decries health impacts of systemic racism And in the science section, Catholic scientist Carlos Martinez said he hears the Earth's cry through his research in the Caribbean assessing future changes in rainfall, saying it is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts due to losses in biodiversity from warmer temperatures, and increases in flash flooding, droughts and hurricane activity.  Martinez founded the American Meteorological Society's Committee on Spirituality, Multifaith Outreach, and Science (COSMOS) to bring together scientists, faith leaders, government agencies and Indigenous knowledge holders to promote a multidimensional approach to environmental stewardship. Read more: American Meteorological Society's multifaith project responds to Earth's cry You can navigate through each of EarthBeat's sections individually, or see a full list of recent stories here. This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Feb. 3, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio, still on fire at midday the next day. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) What else is new on EarthBeat: East Palestine church hosts chemical exposure study in wake of train disaster The town's First United Presbyterian Church has offered its building as an on-site hub to a team of researchers from the University of Kentucky. Rev. Fritz Nelson, First United Presbyterian's pastor, said hosting the scientists is a way for the church to address both the community's physical and spiritual needs, reported Kathryn Post for Religion News Service. Billions of federal dollars available for churches and nonprofits to go green Churches have a moral obligation to reduce their carbon footprint and to encourage climate justice for marginalized communities. If there is federal money to help in this effort, they should take advantage of it, said Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese in a column for Religion News Service. Conference on congregations' climate 'resilience' turns to focus on climate justice People of faith must advocate for ecological, economic and ecumenical solutions in order to save "people and planet" from death by the declining climate, said speakers at the "Resilience for Congregations" conference, co-sponsored by Texas Interfaith Power & Light and the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, reported Cynthia B. Astle for United Methodist Insight. This story was republished on EarthBeat as part of the Covering Climate Now journalism collaboration. What's happening in other climate news: Pope urges world leaders to do more to tackle climate change —Keith Weir for Reuters Climate migrants find a home in the Great Lakes Region —Kristen Pope for Yale Climate Connections A Catastrophic Flood on California’s Central Coast Has Plunged Already Marginalized Indigenous Farmworkers Into Crisis —Liza Gross for Inside Climate News In logging country, a community protects its woods as an act of resilience —Grant Stringer for High Country News It hit 120 degrees in this California town. For the homeless, 'it's a miserable life out here' —Ruben Vives and Akiya Dillon for the Los Angeles times Final Beat: On July 27, EarthBeat received an honorable mention in the "Organization" category of the Catholic Climate Covenant's first ever "U.S. Laudato Si' Champions Awards."  The judges said:  National Catholic Reporter's EarthBeat, featuring award-winning stories by environmental correspondent Brian Roewe, is a leader in Catholic press reporting on Laudato Si' and creation care activities. EarthBeat plays a vital role in connecting faith, sustainability, climate change, politics, creation care, and science within the U.S. Catholic Church and nation.  Through their comprehensive coverage, EarthBeat sheds light on a wide range of significant Laudato Si'/creation care programs and projects that impact our world and our Church. By amplifying the critical voices of those involved in these initiatives, EarthBeat ensures that their stories and efforts do not become silenced.  National Catholic Reporter's EarthBeat section, under the leadership of editor Stephanie Clary, serves as an invaluable resource for the Catholic community and beyond. Their dedication to reporting on Laudato Si' and creation care not only informs and educates but also inspires individuals and organizations to take action in addressing the urgent environmental challenges we face. The U.S. Laudato Si' Champion Honorable Mention recognizes EarthBeat's critical contributions in promoting environmental stewardship and raising awareness of the interconnectedness between faith and sustainability. Thank you and congratulations to all who contribute to EarthBeat's success! Thanks for reading EarthBeat! Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Featured Advertisers   Looking to Hire? Offering Retreats? 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