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.

Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day and of course there are a myriad of ways that you might celebrate it.  Certainly cleaning up even a section of the earth that our culture has fouled seems an appropriate way to honor indigenous traditions of earth care.  Our next Hands in the Soil opportunity just might fit the bill--more info is below.

Saturday, October 19, 2024  9:00 - 11:00 am  SURFRIDER--BEACH CLEAN UP  Moonlight Beach  The beach is located west of I-5 on Encinitas Boulevard in Encinitas, CA.  There is free parking in the lot if you can find it or on the street.

What is Surfrider Foundation?

The Surfrider Foundation USA is a U.S. 501 non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves and beaches.  It focuses on plastic reduction, water quality, beach access, beach and surf spot preservation, and sustaining marine and coastal ecosystems.

What will we be doing?

Volunteers would be supplied with gloves and bags and walk along the beach picking up any found trash including microplastics which are very harmful to marine life.

What should I bring?

Wear comfy clothes and bring water.  If you have a favorite pair of work gloves you are welcome to bring them, otherwise everything else will be provided.  We will be splitting up to cover more ground.  This is a great family event! 

RSVP for this opportunity to Susan Cass at susanpanniercass@gmail.com.  You will be asked to sign a waiver with Surfrider on Oct. 19.

Hope to see you there!

Kumeyaay mural at Old Town Historic Park; photo by Diane Lopez Hughes

People, animals, a world that is livable for all humans and creatures--our faiths call us to care for the living things that surround us!

WILL you vote? HOW will you vote?

Here are two ways to make our voices heard when we vote: SanDiego350 and California Interfaith Power and Light, along with many other environmental organizations, implore us to vote for candidates who support policies that have our living planet at the forefront.  Find some of the propositions and ballot measures that we can directly support with our vote in November’s election through these links:

SD350 Ballot Guide

Among other ballot suggestions, the Guide includes support for its top priority, Measure G in San Diego County, Let’s Go! San Diego, which funds transit and transportation infrastructure with a half cent tax.

(And here is Let’s Go! San Diego website for a deeper dive.)

And both SD350 and CIPL endorse this statewide measure: the Climate Bond.  CIPL says that Prop 4 “tackles our most urgent climate needs today, before the damage becomes too costly.” Areas include prevention of devastating wildfires and smoke; safe drinking water and other important water-related programs; safeguarding our precious natural areas; prepares and supports resilient communities; and moves from disaster response to prevention.  Share this printable one-pager on Propostion 4.

Also, our partner GreenFaith invites us to phonebank on the following Thursdays at 1 PM Pacific Time: 10/17, 23, and 31. The first twenty minutes is the training, then folks will make non-partisan voter turnout calls for an hour. Register here

We talk about the importance of democracy, maybe even its survival, in this election.  Let’s walk the talk!

At the last ICEJ meeting we were blessed to have Melissa Elder, the Community Engagement Associate at San Diego Community Power in attendance.  She shared the launch of The Power Network, “a new way to partner with like-minded community organizations and help San Diego Community Power shape a sustainable future for the San Diego region.” You can read more about the program here.

Community-based organizations and non-governmental organizations interested in working with Community Power will need to complete a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to join the network.  Deadline, November 11.  Funding opportunities are also included in Network participation. 

To further understand the details of this initiative, workshops will be held at different locations: Oct. 16, 11:30 AM (Cafe X), Oct. 22, 11:30 AM (North San Diego Business Chamber), and Oct. 26, 11:15 AM (Spring Valley Public Library). You can register here for the locations and more information. Melissa would be happy to answer your questions: melder@sdcommunitypower.org

Photo credit: Public Domain  License here

On Sunday, Nov. 24 from 2-4 PM we will gather at Mission Bay for an interfaith service of prayer, song, and kite flying for the whole family.  The focus of this service will be to give thanks for our beautiful planet, affirm our desire to care for it, and TO HAVE FUN!!!  More details will be forthcoming.  We do hope that you can join us!

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.