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On March 13, 2024, President Biden announced $3.3 billion in funding for projects in over 40 states that will reconnect and rebuild communities, particularly those that have been historically divided by transportation infrastructure and have long been overlooked and underfunded. In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement.

On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will amend its proposed plan to cut carbon pollution from the power sector. The revised plan will advance as a two-pronged approach that tackles pollution from new gas plants and existing coal plants now while addressing existing gas plants in the future. As a result, the EPA will launch a new rulemaking process for existing gas power plants that will apply to the entire gas-fired fleet and cover more pollutants than originally proposed, including toxic and criteria air pollution. In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement.

On February 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final plan to strengthen a critical national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for soot pollution, also known as fine particle pollution or PM2.5. In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement.

Current YECA College Fellow Carolina França reflects on her experience attending COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, and an impactful conversation she had with Rev. James Bhagwan from Fiji.

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized their proposed standard to cut harmful methane pollution. In response, YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel released the following statement.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the American Climate Corps. In response, YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel released the following statement.

On September 6, the White House announced that the Biden Administration canceled existing oil and gas leases on public lands in the Arctic Refuge. Additionally, the Administration announced protections for 13 million acres of the Western Arctic.

On August 21, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will discontinue its reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone and instead focus on a new scientific review. In response to the this announcement, YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel offered the following statement.

Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. These proposed safeguards will require a cut in carbon pollution by up to 90% from new and existing fossil fuel power plants by 2040. Power plants are the second largest source of U.S. carbon emissions, which is why Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA) applauds this new proposal from the EPA.

Released on February 21, Following Jesus in a Warming World is a new book from former YECA National Organizer and current Senior Advisor Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. Described as “a field guide for Christian climate action—one grounded not in a sense of guilt or drudgery, but in the joy of caring for creation,” this book calls Christians to a deeper understanding of discipleship and witness. YECA is thrilled this practical and hopeful guide exists. 

In this guest blog, YECA Advocate Megan Quinn talks about her experience attending the COP27 climate conference in Egypt and how she found unexpected hope in the people she met there.

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated rule to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from oil and gas operations across the United States. The proposed standard would reduce 36 million tons of leaked methane; 9.7 million tons of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), smog-producing compounds; and 390,000 tons of hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s), such as cancer-causing benzene. In response, YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel released the following statement.

Are you ready to help us get out the vote this fall as a part of our Love God, Love Your Neighbor, Vote for Climate campaign? Studies show that the most effective way to mobilize voters is by talking to our own friends and family, and YECA has made it easy for you to do just that. This year, we’re using Impactive, a tool that helps you utilize the power of your personal connections to promote voter engagement. 

YECA’s Summer of Action is coming to a close, and we are so thankful for all of the young activists at YECA who are faithfully continuing the fight for climate action. We are particularly thrilled to highlight one young person who has spent the summer taking action by encouraging her peers to vote!

Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), moving us one step closer to the largest climate legislation in history being signed into law. With the IRA, our elected officials have finally taken significant action to begin addressing climate change. Tomorrow holds more work, but today we celebrate this historic moment alongside countless advocates who have worked tirelessly for the sake of our common home.

After much deliberation, Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Chairman Manchin (D-WV) recently announced their agreement to tackle inflation, lower health care costs, and invest $369.75 billion in climate and clean energy. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) would be a historic move for climate and environmental justice, and we are immensely grateful and excited that this critical bill has passed the United States Senate.

On June 30, 2022, the United States Supreme Court released its decision on West Virginia V. EPA, a crucial case concerning the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act. In response, YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel released the following statement.

From extreme weather and fires to pollution threatening our communities, the harms of climate change are felt right now, across the country and the world. The $550 billion in transformative climate investments in the reconciliation bill will create jobs, lower energy costs, and strengthen communities. It is well past time to invest in bold climate action. 

Join with YECA as we flood the phones by calling your Senators and urging them to act now by investing in crucial climate action.

The following is the written testimony of YECA Communications Director Lindsay Garcia from the EPA Public Hearing on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) held on February 24, 2022.

The following is the written testimony of YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel from the EPA Public Hearing on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) held on February 24, 2022.

In November 2021, Olivet Nazarene University completed the installation of 3,124 solar panels on two campus buildings. The panels, provided through a partnership with SunVest Solar, produce a maximum of 1 million watts (megawatts) of electricity during peak sunlight and are estimated to produce about 1,250,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

The following is the written testimony of YECA Communications Director Lindsay Easter from the EPA Oil and Gas Public Hearing held on December 1, 2021.

The following is the written testimony of YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel from the EPA Oil and Gas Public Hearing held on November 30, 2021.

As Christians, we are called to love God and love our neighbors (Matthew 22:34-40). Addressing the climate crisis is a meaningful way of doing both better. With today’s passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House of Representatives, we are one step closer to a brighter, more just future for everyone. 

YECA thanks the House of Representatives for passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Climate change should not be a partisan issue, and we thank all of the bill supporters, including the 13 Republicans, who voted for the bill. We now call on Congress to continue addressing the climate crisis by implementing bold policies and plans, including the Build Back Better Act. 

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released two proposed rules to limit methane pollution from new and existing sources. These rules would apply to the production, processing, storage, and transmission of oil. It is vital that we end harmful pollution from the oil and gas industry. We are grateful that the EPA is living up to its mission by moving to implement strong standards for both new and existing oil and gas sources.

It is time for serious, historic climate action, and the Build Back Better Framework will put the U.S. on the path toward climate justice. As young Christians, we know that we do not have time to waste; our neighbors are suffering from the weight of climate change now, and our future is in danger.

This new report is alarming indeed, but we are not without hope. There is still time to act. Climate change is already hurting communities but there is much to be done to limit the worst impacts of our changing climate.

Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with a bipartisan vote of 69-30. In addition to investments in roads and bridges, this bill includes investments in clean energy transmission, lead pipe removal, public transit, electric vehicle charging stations, reclaiming abandoned mines, and plugging orphaned gas wells.

The REVIVE the CCC Act plans to revitalize the CCC by placing unemployed or underemployed individuals in jobs that benefit the public. This bill seeks to “tackle the climate crisis while creating well-paying, quality conservation jobs that protect and restore waterways, working lands and the health and resiliency of our rural and urban communities.” This plan includes commitments to prioritize investments for frontline communities and to address environmental injustice. 

Today, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to reinstate vital Environmental Protection Agency methane safeguards. In April, the Senate passed a companion resolution with bipartisan support. 

It is time for climate justice. Young people are watching and we will not accept anything less.

In the wake of earth week, we are looking for ways to celebrate with a spirit of hope and inspiration by uplifting the stories of hope that we see in the world every day. We see hope for tomorrow through the bold work of our Climate Leadership Fellows.

We celebrate President Biden’s announcement of the United States’ ambitious new goal of achieving a 50-52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. On day one of the new administration, President Biden fulfilled his promise to rejoin the Paris Agreement. This nationally determined contribution (NDC) will help get the U.S. on track to meet Paris Agreement targets and build a brighter future.

Holy week, in the Christian calendar, is just that: a HOLY week. This week, we collectively reflect on life, on death, and on resurrection. We begin the week with Palm Sunday: a vision of Jesus coming home upon a donkey, unexpectedly proclaiming his place in the city and his reign of peace. Hosanna, hosanna, the crowd cried, caught up in the joy of the crowd, waving palm branches.

Today, President Joe Biden formally introduced the American Jobs Plan as part of his “Build Back Better” plan to respond to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. This comprehensive plan seeks to address critical infrastructure needs, create well-paying jobs, invest in clean energy, build resilience against the impacts of the climate crisis, and address long standing economic and racial injustice. 

As followers of Christ, we must boldly address and uproot historic and ongoing injustices in the United States. The impacts of corporate pollution and climate change disproportionately impact Tribal and Indigenous communities, communities of color, and low-income communities. It is well past time to confront this reality and strive for a more just world in which all of God’s children have access to clean air and safe water. We cannot solve the climate crisis without caring for our neighbors and addressing environmental injustice, and that is why YECA applauds the introduction of the Environmental Justice for All Act by Rep. McEachin (D-VA), Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ), and Senator Duckworth (D-IL). 

YECA celebrates the recent introduction of the REPLANT Act, a bipartisan, bicameral effort to plant and regenerate over 1.2 billion trees over the next decade. 

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA) welcomes Tori Goebel as the organization’s incoming National Organizer and Spokesperson. Tori has spent the last 4 years as Communications Director for YECA and the Evangelical Environmental Network, YECA’s partner ministry. During this time, she also served on YECA’s national steering committee. Tori brings a wealth of experience in political organizing and policy advocacy to the role, as well as professional communications and marketing skills.

This moment in our public life calls for leaders who protect and defend our democratic institutions, who tell the truth and repudiate lies, who advance the common good rather than their own self-interests, and who lead with wisdom and humility. Donald Trump has shown himself more clearly than ever to be woefully ill-equipped to rise to these standards. He must go now and never hold office again.

It is well past time for President Trump to acknowledge reality and cease the harmful rhetoric that is only sowing seeds of violence and cracking the very foundation of our democracy.

President-elect Biden must rejoin the Paris Agreement on January 20, and then do everything in his power every day thereafter to achieve the future that the Paris Agreement makes possible. We pledge to continue doing all we can to help, for the sake of God's good creation and our neighbor's good.

Climate activism is living, breathing faithfulness. Here at YECA we strive to be faithful every day in our climate action but can’t do it without your support. Please consider giving to YECA today!

So what does it mean to be “good”? What does it mean for God to call creation “good”? Imagine your favorite place in the natural world. Now imagine every little bit of it as good. The way the sun creates shadows in the grass. The variety of plants and creatures. The way you feel when you are there.

Environmentalism often has a reputation of emphasizing "doom and gloom" in its messaging. And while grief and anxiety are real and all too warranted in the era of climate change, Wendell Berry's poem reminds me of the value of joy as a Biblical fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5). In a Christian sense, joy doesn't simply mean being happy because of your circumstances, but rather a rejection of despair regardless of your circumstances. 

We are best able to bear witness to God when we act from a place of love, and acting on climate is no exception. In fact, acting on climate is one of the best ways to embody love for our neighbor and for God’s creation.

A stable climate requires a stable democracy. In the midst of significant challenges, the democratic process has worked. Tens of thousands of volunteers have painstakingly pored over ballots, international observers have praised the process as free and fair, election officials have done their jobs admirably, and the voters have spoken. While it will take time to fully certify all of the results, it is now clear that Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States.

As of January 2021, I will be leaving the position of National Organizer and Spokesperson at YECA.

YECA is a youth-led organization, and maintaining young leadership is not only critical for the integrity of YECA’s mission, but necessary for the vibrancy and efficacy of its programming. After 4 years in this role, I have officially aged out of our target audience (having turned 31 in June). Thankfully, new leadership is aging in every day.

The climate crisis is the greatest economic, public health, and existential threat of our time. However, if approached with respect for science and expert opinion, clear-eyed leadership, and creative vision, it can become our greatest opportunity. The recently released report from the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis does exactly this. In so doing, it provides a blueprint for a future marked not by loss, suffering, and despair, but by hope, justice, and full flourishing for all.

COVID-19 is spreading. This pandemic has spread to every part of the world; every single person is being affected by this sickness either directly or indirectly. When a sickness, even the common cold, starts to spread and the symptoms start showing up, people immediately go to the doctor. They immediately desire some relief, some healing, some help.  Our Earth has been showing symptoms of sickness for a while now. The beautiful Earth that God created is slowly dying right in front of our eyes. So why are people not jumping at the opportunity to keep our Earth safe and healthy?

© 2024 Young Evangelicals for Climate Action

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