The Climate Change Crisis, presented by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society on March 24, and addressing one of the most significant topics in today’s society, will feature panelists well-versed in the critical areas of the environment and the impact of climate change on our world.

The 90-minute live webcast will originate from Campbell Hall Episcopal School, North Hollywood, CA. In partnership with Bishop J. Jon Bruno and the Diocese of Los Angeles, The Climate Change Crisis will begin 11 am Pacific.

Forum Participants

The forum will be moderated by well-known climatologist Fritz Coleman of KNBC 4 television news. 

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will present the keynote address.

Two panels, each 30 minutes, will focus on specific areas of the climate change crisis: Regional Impacts of Climate Change; and Reclaiming Climate Change as a Moral Issue.

Panelists include:

Bishop Marc Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California He has made climate change a focus of his episcopacy.  

Princess Daazhraii Johnson (Gwich’in), former Executive Director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee, one of the oldest Indigenous non-profit groups in Alaska focused on protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  She currently serves on the SAG-AFTRA Native American Committee, the Dancing with the Spirit committee, and is an active member of her community. 

Dr. Lucy Jones, seismologist with the US Geological Survey and a Visiting Research Associate at the Seismological Laboratory of Caltech since 1983. She currently serves as Science Advisor for Risk Reduction in the Natural Hazards Mission of the US Geological Survey.

Mary D.  Nichols, J.D., Chairman of the California Air Resources Board. She is responsible for implementing California’s landmark greenhouse gas emissions legislation as well as setting air pollution standards for motor vehicles, fuels and consumer products. 

Please note additional panelists may be announced later.

30 Days of Action

In addition to stimulating conversation and raising awareness about The Climate Change Crisis, the live webcast will serve as the kickoff to 30 Days of Action. A range of activities developed by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society will be offered for individuals and congregations to understand the environmental crisis and will be available on www.episcopalchurch.org.  The activities will culminate on Earth Day, April 22. 

The forum

• There is no fee to view the live webcast. The webcast will be viewable here 

• Registration is not required for the live webcast.

• Questions can be emailed starting now and during the live webcast; send questions to publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org.

• The forum will be available on-demand following the live webcast.

• The forum is ideal for live group watching and discussion, or on-demand viewing later.  It will be appropriate for Sunday School, discussions groups, and community gatherings.

• Resources such as bibliography, on-demand video, materials for community and individual review, discussion questions, and lesson plans will be available.

The event supports Mark 5 of the Anglican Communion’s Marks of Mission: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. Anglican Five Marks of Mission are here. The Five Marks of Mission form the basis for the triennial budget of The Episcopal Church adopted by the 77^th General Convention in July 2012.

The event is one of the aspects of The Episcopal Church’s 150th year of parish ministry in Southern California.

For more information contact Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org.

Episcopal News Service will provide coverage of the event and the climate change issue.