Climate Shift Index
A new interactive tool from Climate Central allows church leaders and others to see how much the climate crisis has affected their region. (Climate Central Graphic)
A United Methodist Insight Column
Continuous days of triple-digit heat have drained us to the point of exhaustion in body, mind, and spirit, so instead of a big theme here's a collection of news snippets.
Duke offers new University Course about climate change for fall 2022
The campus newspaper The Chronicle reports: "The one-credit course aims to promote interdisciplinary discourse by bringing in several scholars to teach students about climate change from a variety of perspectives. Read More" Duke is a United Methodist-related university and home to Duke Divinity School.
Deadly heatwaves scorching Europe
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists offers this quote:
“Heatwaves are by far the deadliest extremes in Europe. In 2020, in the UK alone more than 2,500 people died because of hot days, and those were less hot and less frequent than what we are already seeing this year.” — Friederike Otto,""Why is it so hot in the UK and elsewhere in Europe and what are the dangers?"" The Guardian.
How much has climate change affected you?
Check out Climate Central's new Climate Shift Index—a new tool that shows the local influence of climate change, every day (see photo above). Climate Shift Index (CSI) levels indicate how much climate change has altered the frequency of daily temperatures at a particular location. This tool can help churches understand the potential pressures of climate change on both daily operations and ministries of all kinds.
Unsafe on social media
From National Public Radio: "LGBTQ people say they don't feel safe or welcomed on social media, according to a new GLAAD study. A survey revealed 84% of LGBTQ adults feel social media companies don't do enough to protect them from harassment." How safe would LGBTQ people feel at your church?
'There’s massive confusion over abortion rules across the country'
Why? asks the Washington Post's "The 7" newsletter. "Cities and states are adopting different rules, with Democratic-controlled cities attempting to keep abortion services while their Republican states ban them." See where state laws stand here, in case you as a pastor or spiritual adviser are called upon to help a woman seeking an abortion.
UM News posts features on environment, women's ministries
If you need some uplift this summer – and who doesn't, with the scorching temperatures in the United States and Europe? – check out these features from UM News.
97-year-old pays forward with bird sanctuary by Sam Hodges
Churchwomen put smiles on patients' faces by Priscilla Muzerengwa
Healing through a Spirit-filled 'Window to Heaven' by Jim Patterson
Farming ministry helps women prepare for retirement by Chenayi Kumuterera
Church leaders explore ways to help migrants in Mexico, story by Joey Butler, photos by Mike DuBose
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email Insight for permission.