We could not have run our “Love God. Love Your Neighbor. Vote for Climate” campaign without your faithful engagement and volunteer efforts during this 2024 election cycle! To close out this campaign, Aislynn, a former YECA fellow, writes about next steps as Christians and environmental advocates.
YECA Advocate, Megan Quinn, shares how her Christian faith, science expertise, and experiences as an Arizona resident are leading her to vote for climate in the 2024 election!
Last week we saw the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene across the American southeast. YECA is heartbroken over the people living directly in or nearby the disaster zones where homes, possessions, and lives were taken.
On September 5th, I spoke at the Evangelical Environmental Network’s Prayer Service for Creation Care to ask for prayers for YECA and community concerns. At YECA, prayer is a transformative and consequential tool we frequently use to draw closer to the heart of God. I hope you will join me in praying.
YECA is seeking members for our Steering Committee. The group is made up of roughly 10-12 people dedicated to assisting with the strategic visioning of YECA and supporting operations through a number of sub-committees. We are young (under 31) Christians who are passionate about climate action as an outward expression of our faith, regardless of our professional work.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Lauren Kim, YECA’s incoming National Organizer and Spokesperson! Lauren has been involved with YECA since 2019 serving as a Project Manager, College Fellow, and Steering Committee Member. Her passion for creation care stems from her appreciation of nature and time spent on farms. Please take a moment to get to know Lauren through her own words in the note below.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a suite of finalized pollution safeguards for the power sector, including strengthened standards on hazardous air pollutants under the life-saving Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) and measures to cut carbon pollution from new gas power plants and existing coal-fired power plants. In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement.
Last Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced finalized Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, (Phase 3) for model years 2027 through 2032. In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement.
YECA is a youth-led organization. As such, our commitment to young leadership is a critical part of our mission and is key to both our integrity and efficacy as a ministry. Young people are among those at the forefront of the climate crisis, and I believe that empowering them is an essential part of addressing climate change and striving for environmental justice. I have long admired YECA’s core commitment to not only serve and empower young people, but to be run by those within our target age range, even though it comes with bittersweet transitions as beloved team members age out. Having just turned 30, it is time for a new season for YECA and for myself. As of June 2024, I will be leaving the position of National Organizer and Spokesperson at YECA.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced finalized emissions standards for light-duty vehicles model year 2027 through 2032. These safeguards are a historic step forward in cleaning up the U.S. transportation sector–which is responsible for approximately 45% of harmful smog-forming NOx emissions in the U.S.–and protecting our communities from the dangerous tailpipe pollution that harms our air, health, and well-being. In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement.
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.
