Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice (ICEJ) is a volunteer organization of San Diego faith leaders and communities that advocate for climate and environmental justice both in policy and in the public square. We believe that the values held in common by all faith traditions include the care for creation and care for the most vulnerable in society.

Providing Compassionate Leadership in Sustainable Development Workshop

Learn and discuss what compassionate leadership is and how it can address some of our current social problems by fostering sustainable development. Author Bob Gilleskie will focus on the characteristics of such leadership: Communication, Vision, Positive Attitude, Presence, Responsibility, Respect, and Empathy. Whether you are a concerned citizen who wants to take action or a political, economic or social leader this FREE workshop is for you.

Please join us on Sun. March 3, 1 - 4 PM in-person at the Pastoral Center of the Roman Catholic Diocese, 3888 Paducah Dr., San Diego or via Zoom.

Bob Gilleskie, author of LIGHTING THE WAY: Providing Leadership in Sustainable Development, is a former Naval Officer, energy manager, and a leader in both profit and non-profit enterprises. Bob is also a member of the ICEJ Working Group that provides us with leadership.

This event is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego and the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice.

Editor’s Note: With this story we begin a series on local environmental organizations that have come to our attention. When we lift up other orgs we are all made stronger!

Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek was founded in 2007 and is an environmental enhancement non-profit organization empowered by the City of San Diego to restore the Chollas Creek Watershed through citizen engagement. Its mission is:

• To improve the environment, economy, and quality of life for residents in the Chollas Creek Watershed through new approaches to community and educational development                                               
• To link energy, economic, and health equity with environmental justice by improving water quality; developing alternative forms of energy and economy; and increasing the capacity of low-income communities to lead climate action.                                                        
• To develop and deliver K-12 experiential environmental education, impacting formal and informal learning and serving as a model for other underserved communities.                                                             
• To construct and steward The EarthLab, a 4-acre climate action park, as a collaborative community asset to benefit the youth, families, and communities of the San Diego region.

Moving into 2024, ICEJ has a full plate of programs and events (in addition to the workshop above). We are continuing with our Ashes to Action protests at the fossil fuel banks. Working with a group of partners, we will hold an action in March–stay tuned for more details. Another continuing program is the collection of signatures for the Power San Diego ballot initiative we featured in the last newsletter.  If you can help with this essential effort please sign up here.

We are planning future Advancing Earth Justice talks. The next one will be with our former Chair Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson interviewing a member (or members) of the Kumeyaay on what earth justice means to them. 

And as part of our BIPOC Outreach program, we will put together an Eco-Fair/Town Hall at a faith community in South San Diego. Working with that faith community and orgs like Groundwork (see above), we hope to pull that off this summer. 

Beyond that, our outreach includes tabling at fairs and giving presentations to anyone who will have us.  If you are a member of a church, mosque or temple and would like a presentation on our work and where we can all make a difference on earth justice, please contact Phil at Phil@icejsd.org

Lastly, if you can help us to keep these programs going, please donate below. 

Thank you!

Phil Petrie, ICEJ Co-Chairperson

Donate to support Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice and the work we are doing to educate, equip and mobilize our communities of faith to advocate for earth justice.