Climate Changed

In our final episode of Season Two, we’re joined by Dr. Shanon Shah, an advocate whose work is at the intersection of faith, human rights, and climate change. Shanon's multifaceted career includes journalism, theater, and academia in Malaysia before his relocation to London. A practicing Muslim, Shanon is also a scholar in the sociology of religion and the Senior Deputy Editor of the Muslim Institute's flagship publication, Critical Muslim. He serves as the Director of Faith for Climate, a UK-based organization that seeks to empower faith communities in the struggle against climate change. This episode is an inspiring dive into the rich tapestry of Shanon's identity as a queer Muslim man and how that identity informs his perspectives on climate justice. He discusses the invaluable role that faith traditions play in shaping our understanding of climate change, social justice, and collective action. From spiritual resilience to confronting issues of power and reparations, Shanon illustrates how religion can provide both a moral compass and a community for change. Host Nicole Diroff joins Shanon Shah in exploring the role of faith communities in addressing climate change, particularly leading up to and during the COP26 conference. Both speakers wrestle with questions of power, social location, and the complex entanglements of religion with imperialism and colonialism — offering  listeners a complicated but hopeful view of the potential for faith communities to play a transformative role in climate justice. Grounding:  The Seed: If you attended Convocation 2021, you'll remember some really sacred moments as our Convocation music leader, Pax Ressler, shared their original song, "The Soil," commissioned by The BTS Center especially for Convocation. Pax joins us to sing “The Seed” as a grounding practice for this episode of the podcast.  Several of you have asked for sheet music, and with special thanks to Pax, now it's available — and not only sheet music, but a lead sheet, a lyrics sheet, and an mp3 recording — all free for download. Topics Covered in This Episode: The significance of religious traditions in understanding and tackling climate change How the concept of 'Loss and Damage' equates to moral and historical reparations The role of power dynamics in climate justice Collective honesty and complicated hope as pillars of climate activism Creating spiritual refuges to endure through and respond to climate change The resonance between Islamic and Christian scriptures in relation to social and environmental justice A Special Moment: Don’t miss the beautiful exchange between Shanon and our host, where Shanon cites prayers from Islamic and Christian traditions that encapsulate the faith-inspired vision for a just and sustainable world. Next Steps from the Conversation: Five Steps for Interfaith Understanding (via Interfaith Philadelphia’s Passport to Understanding): Be Curious: Seek to understand others. Venture Out: Experience cultures and ideas different from your own. Welcome In: Be hospitable and open, to learn about oneself and others. Stand Tall: Find pride in your own identity. Stand With: Be part of communities bigger than yourself, including more-than-human communities. Practical Next Steps: Think critically about power dynamics, especially the role of money in enabling or perpetuating societal and environmental issues. Visit Interfaith Philadelphia's website to explore their 'passport to understanding'. Reflect on Power and Religion: Think deeply about how religion can be an avenue to discuss loss, damage, repair, and particularly the economics behind it all. Check out Greenfaith.org: For those interested in the intersection of faith and climate change, focusing on who is financing climate collapse. Engage in Vision Casting: The BTS Center’s resource, 'Epistolary Practice of Play for the Seventh Generation', helps you reflect on what wisdom you’d want to pass on to descendants seven generations from now. Pete

Wheatley emphasizes the importance of accepting that large-scale systems are unlikely to change, urging people to focus on smaller ”islands of sanity” where meaningful impact is still possible.

We explore how to navigate love and responsibility in a rapidly changing world, particularly in the face of climate change. We're honored to have Ray Buckley join us for this conversation. Ray is a teacher, storyteller, author, and poet of Lakota, Tlingit, and Scots descent. He brings a unique blend of cultural and spiritual wisdom, particularly the profound understanding of what it means to be in "good relationship" with the Creator, fellow human beings, and all of creation. Ray's experiences growing up in a culturally rich environment and caring for his brother Rick have deeply influenced his worldview. (For complete show notes and full transcript visit: https://thebtscenter.org/climate-changed/podcast-season-two-episode-4/ Our conversation dives into: The concept of being a 'human being' from Native and Celtic perspectives, emphasizing balance and relationality. The importance of recognizing and respecting all of creation as "persons." The spiritual and emotional toll of losing species and ecosystems, witnessed through gatherings of elders from various indigenous communities. How to maintain ethical and compassionate behavior in a world facing the impending loss of so much life. Whether you're coming from a place of privilege or are directly affected by the struggles of the world, this episode is a heart-felt guide on how to love the world as it is, while also acting responsibly for its future. We talk about what it means to stand in "good relationship" with everything and everyone around us, and how that might just be the key to facing our uncertain future. This episode is a rich tapestry of wisdom, humor, and poignant moments that challenge us to reconsider our roles in this shared, sacred journey we call life. So take a deep breath, and prepare to be both grounded and elevated by this transformative conversation. Meet Ray Buckley Ray Buckley is the interim Director of the Center for Native American Spirituality and Christian Study. Buckley has served The United Methodist Church as a staff member of The United Methodist Publishing House, Director of the Native People’s Communication Office (UMCom) for nine years, and Director of Connectional Ministries for the Alaska Missionary Conference. Most recently, Buckley wrote Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back and contributed to A New Dawn in Beloved Community. Also, he is the author/illustrator of five books: God’s Love is Like…, The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition, The Wing, Christmas Moccasins, and Dancing with Words: Storytelling as Legacy, Culture, and Faith. He is also the author of Creator Sang a Welcoming Song, and Walking in These White Man Shoes, children and youth resources for the Women’s Division School of Missions. Buckley has taught in Nigeria and Ghana and served as a lecturer in Native American studies for several universities. Ray Buckley is of Lakota/Tlingit/Scots descent. Ray is one of several Native leaders profiled in As Long As the Waters Flow: Native Americans in the South and East by Frye Gillard, and The Power of Eagles: Nature's Way to Individual Accomplishment by Twyman L. Towery. Books by Ray BuckleyHoly Living: PrayerHard To Dance With the Devil On Your BackThe Wing  Grounding In this "Grounding" segment of Climate Changed, Peterson Toscano addresses the emotional and mental toll that caring for the world can take, especially in the context of climate change and social issues. Originally planning to record outdoors, Toscano is forced indoors due to wildfires, symbolizing the need for adaptability in a changing world. He speaks directly to his busy, concerned listeners, acknowledging the multitude of issues that weigh on their hearts, from social justice and politics to environmental worries and personal relationships. Toscano offers comforting wisdom: while you can't solve all of the world's problems, you can still make a meaningful contribution. By setting boundaries and focusing on what is personally

Eileen shares invaluable advice on effective activism, breaking it down into four roles: the Helper, the Advocate, the Organizer, and the Rebel. Find out which role you naturally fit into and how stepping out of your comfort zone can yield transformative change.

This episode delves into the role of faith communities in offering psychosocial support to those on the climate frontline, touching on both the positive community-building aspects and the troubling historical entanglements in patriarchy and imperialism.

We explore the notion of collective truth-telling through a poetic introduction and a compelling conversation with Rob Shetterly, the artist behind ”Americans Who Tell the Truth.”

Here are excerpts from the upcoming season of Climate Changed podcast. You will hear about radical hope and an honest look at the challenges ahead for all of us on a climate-changed world.

Do you want to be challenged and inspired? Join us for this amazing series of conversations.

The new season of Climate Changed podcast premieres on Tuesday September 26, 2023

“Daddy, Did We Hurt Them?” is an audio essay written and voiced by co-host Ben Yosua-Davis and featuring his five year-old-son, Michael. It is followed by a rich and moving conversation with special guests Hannah Malcolm and Michael DiMonte, who is co-host Nicole Diroff’s father.