Making Sense of Our Situation

WHAT ARE WE AS QUAKERS CALLED TO DO?
Few in our world now doubt that there is a climate crisis; what we doubt is our power to do anything meaningful about it. In that powerlessness, some see no choice but to turn away, seeking meaning elsewhere, or shutting out the concern. Some of us choose to avoid news feeds. Others, especially younger people, are burdened by outright despair over an uncertain or perilous future.

It is here, then, in the face of such existential struggles, that our actions as Quakers, as members of the Religious Society of Friends of Truth, may be of particular service for the personal, political, strategic and spiritual challenges accompanying the climate crisis. In the face of paralyzing doubt we must spread, as quickly as we can, this important truth: people the world around are finding the answers we need, and putting these to work. Their successes are a source of both hope and clear direction.

It is here, then, in the midst of such existential struggles, that our actions as Quakers, as members of the Religious Society of Friends of Truth, may be of particular service to the personal, political, strategic and spiritual challenges accompanying the climate crisis. In the face of paralyzing doubt, we must spread, as quickly as we can, this important truth: people around the world are finding the answers they need and are putting those answers to work. Their successes are a source of both hope and clear direction. (more. . .)

The stories, lessons, tools, strategies, and relationships coming from climate activism, many of them to be found on or linked from this website, form a ground for us as we each discern what we, as humans and as Quakers, are now called to do in the service of life, of survival, of justice, of love, and of a livable future.

To be clear, in holding out these promises of meaningful action, we do not say it will be easy. Outcomes are far from certain and our work must often be undertaken as an act of faith. There are likely to be decades of disasters still ahead, now too late to stop no matter what we do. Hundreds of species and ecosystems are headed for extinction. But that is not the end of the story.

We are far from being defeated, and are definitely not powerless. We have a duty to save all that still can be saved--ourselves included--and to change all that must be changed. The Quaker Statement on Climate Change developed jointly by several Quaker organizations in 2014 and subsequently signed by Meetings worldwide, including several in Pacific Yearly Meeting, and using traditional language, states this clearly:
As Friends, we know that the climate crisis is inseparable from peace and justice concerns. The Quaker Statement on Climate Change recognizes the connections between climate change and global economic injustice. 'Intersectionality' is the word being used by climate activists and Quaker organizations to describe the overlapping and interdependent systems of disadvantage and oppression that restrict people's capacity to adapt to climate change, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Quoting again from the Statement:


How, then, do we live into that call to conscience, bringing action to the fore? How can we minister to the hopelessness so many people experience? We know that stories of successful action, ecosystem resilience, and communities coming together to effect positive change does foster active, evidence-based hope. How do we connect Friends and others with stories about such promising strategies, solutions and actions? And how do we connect these stories to the existential struggles that now grip so many? How can we reawaken our fire to save all that we can save, and to be part of life rebounding, re-wilding and healing the harms done, while finding new ways to meet the needs of all--and doing it now? And what does it look like, realistically, to live sustainably and justly on our beautiful Earth?

These are big questions, but they are also very practical ones with actionable, even compelling, answers and proven paths out of the mess in which we now find ourselves. Friends' testimonies and traditions are well-suited to the needs of these times, of this the planetary crisis. As Friends, we know that we are not necessarily called to be successful--we are called to be faithful, and that hope is a brave act of faith that requires courage and commitment in the face of uncertainty. The climate crisis calls upon not only our testimonies and our experience as activists, but also our best Quaker traditions of discernment of leadings, of speaking truth to power, and of deep listening, long-practiced and well-honed. It aligns with our call to "walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone," including 'all our relations' in the living world.

With the existential threat of climate change, it’s only natural to feel overwhelming emotions of anxiety, fear, anger, or despair. Beneath those emotions, there is often sadness and grief. These feelings cannot--should not--be set aside. Indeed, if we are in grief, then it is our very grief that must drive us not to despair but to action--actions that are the most effective we can possibly find, and to engage in them with our whole being. Brave acts of faith. But at the same time it is critically important to find sources of hope and empowerment that can allow us to imagine a better future and work towards it.

The PacYM Unity with Nature Committee finds a great deal of hope and inspiration in connecting with other Friends actively engaged in the climate movement and making new friends by sharing and collaborating with other faith-based or secular climate organizations.

This website exists to facilitate access to climate strategies and solutions and to connect the people and Meetings who are acting upon them, sharing stories, struggles, resources, support--brave acts of faith. May we each discern what is ours to do, and inspire one another to do it.