Revised Feb 17, 2022
The Los Angeles Faith & Ecology Network (LAFEN) launched in late 2020 as a partnership between California Interfaith Power & Light and The International Center for Sustainable Development, located in Jerusalem. It was conceived as way for the faith community to strengthen its collective voice on the moral and pressing issue of our day: the climate crisis. ICSD had held several workshops with the California faith community on best ways to build a sustainability planet.
This “joining of forces” is a foundational requirement in building capacity to tackle the multiple environmental crises in California: extreme heat and the need for adaptation; increased severity and duration of destructive wildfires; and a severe drought. In approaching climate solutions, there is also the clear opportunity to dismantle the structures of racism and other injustices through clean job training and placement; pollution reduction that will improve public health; and renewed respect for and celebration of all Creation.
In the last year, some 30 houses of worship and faith leaders have been active in LAFEN. Our official public “kick-off” took place on November 16, and highlighted some of the most pressing issues facing the Los Angeles region. As a result, at LAFEN’s December 2021 meeting, three issues were adopted as areas of advocacy in 2022: the phase out of oil and gas drilling; the drought and water conservation techniques; and extreme heat and adaptation measures, especially in under-served communities.
For more information and to become involved, contact Allis Druffel at allis@interfaithpower.org.
