Creating a Climate for Change
For fifteen years, the Creating a Climate for Change Conference has taken place in October in Florence, South Carolina. The conference is hosted by Rev. Leo Woodberry, an environment and climate champion, who leads New Alpha Community Development Corporation and Kingdom Living Temple.
The conference's goal is “Working together to bring community-led solutions to our communities so that we all have a means of enduring and surviving climate impacts.”
This simple phrase does not fully capture the scope of the work and relationships that are a part of the conference. This year, individuals and partner organizations came from across the United States to participate in the conference.
The Ormond Center team led two workshops, participated in a panel discussion, and facilitated a community conversation about how extreme heat affects their communities. Representatives came to the conference from the Duke Heat Lab (Dr. Ashley Ward and Julee Snyder), as well as North and South Carolina Interfaith Power and Light (State Rep. Robert Reese and Rev. Susannah Tuttle) because of our shared work with the Cooling Communities Grant.
Our student agents had the opportunity to meet conference attendees and assist with the work of New Alpha Community Development Corporation. They also met representatives from the seventeen congregations, and they will continue to have conversations with these representatives as they work to understand how extreme heat is impacting rural North Carolina and South Carolina communities.
Here are some of the things the students had to say about the conference:
“Attending the Creating a Climate for Change Conference helped to nurture relationships within our team and between our team and the partner churches and organizations we'll be working with throughout the year. Additionally, I felt like the speakers, panelists, and community engagement opened my eyes to the ways context impacts the how people enter into conversations about the environment and climate justice. Admittedly, the majority of my experience discussing climate justice has been with environmentally advantages populations. In my experience, those conversations focus more on caring for and respecting the Earth (using less plastic, engaging with food systems differently, etc).
It was striking how at this conference, much of the conversation was around people impacted by injustice and less so on the environment itself.
Many who spoke up commented on the very real and very present environmental injustices happening in their community and voiced concerns for their neighbors impacted by climate change. It was amazing to see how carefully and thoughtfully these community leaders attended to and spoke up for the needs and concerns of their community. Their comments and contributions made me incredibly excited to walk alongside them as they workshop and brainstorm ideas for addressing the effects of a changing climate in their community.”
“As a newcomer to this long-held conference, there is probably a degree of significance that I couldn’t tap into. This was likely multiplied by the unfortunate fact that Reverend Woodbury was unable to lead the conference as he usually does.
However, as the conference unfolded I began to see how important it was for the folks that had been attending year after year, important for the work they’re doing in their communities, as well as important for maintaining the friendships made among the participants.
Logistically, the conference seemed to struggle, and I was initially suspicious, and perhaps a little put off, when we were so quickly inducted as assistants upon our arrival. I began to see, though, as the conference went on, that a general spirit of mutual helpfulness—of filling in where others are underresourced or understaffed—pervaded the conference and the atmosphere of the attendees. It seemed that as the conference concluded, folks felt encouraged and empowered to continue arduous uphill work of community care.”
“The Creating a Climate for Change conference was revelatory of how the body of Christ can lend a keen ear to the groanings of creation. Panelists varied from faith leaders to government leaders, and non-profit directors, all focused on how to cultivate a community fixated on improving the state of the planet. One thing I found inspiring was the work that has already been done by these communities to be a catalyst for change. Kingdom Living Temple's space was filled with people focused entirely on supporting one another through hands on experience, while also dreaming of a better way of doing things.
The Duke team's presence was something to be proud of, taking part in a panel discussion, leading a breakout session on our heat project, and also offering an opportunity to hear from the entire audience about their experiences of extreme heat in the community.
Faith leaders expend so much energy caring for their community, so it was a real pleasure to be able to support them along their journey towards a life of flourishing.”
“This experience has been invaluable to my understanding of the Environmental & Climate Justice work we do at the Ormond Center and how it relates to my degree program at Duke Divinity School.
I was able to grow in academic understanding of environmental justice, grow in relationship with the church leaders whom I will be serving, and grow in community with my fellow Student Agents. For these reasons, I would propose a relevant conference experience happen for Student Agents annually. The Safe Places Panel, Partner Orientation, and discussions on environmental health best practices and the importance of community-owned solutions give me the tools to live out our mission while being a Student Agent. The mentioned panel helpfully emphasized the need for faith-based institutions to utilize their land strategically, a concept that resonates with both my interests and the Ormond Center's focus on empowering church leaders. Lastly, learnings about environmental advocacy and data ownership pique my interest in solutions that can be incorporated into community education and awareness campaigns. As a Board of Trustees member within my local congregation, this conference provides the basis not only to support the mission of the Ormond Center, but also to bring the learning to life within my own community and contexts. Thank you for making space for me as a hybrid Student Agent. It’s been a pleasure to engage, serve, and learn at this conference.”
