Program Particulars
*Times indicated refer to web version of audio

(1:53–3:38) Music Element
"The Multiples of One"
from Awakening,
performed by Joseph Curiale

(03:03) Citation from Grist Magazine
Krista quotes from an October 17, 2006 article, "The Soul of DeWitt," in the environmental news magazine Grist. A fuller passage appears below:

No one has worked longer at the intersection of environmental science, evangelical ethics, and practical activism than Calvin DeWitt.

A respected scientist with advanced degrees in biology and zoology, DeWitt spent over 25 years as director of the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, where he worked to help college students learn the principles of Christian environmental stewardship alongside hard science. He's been one of the prime movers behind almost every significant collaboration between evangelicals, scientists, and politicians, including the much-discussed Evangelical Climate Initiative, a statement from high-profile evangelicals calling for concerted action to battle global warming.

(03:25) Essay from Science Magazine
Krista cites historian Lynn White Jr.'s essay, "The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis," first published in the March 10, 1967 issue of Science. The UK-based Faithnet writes: "The publication of Lynn White's essay in 1967 woke the Christian theological community up to the new challenge of ecology and Christianity's place within it. For too long, it could be argued, Christian theology had been written by academics, for academics in their "ivory towers." However "The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis" forced theologians to now consider the practical implications of their writings in the modern world (if they had not done so already). Furthermore, the Christian focus on the corruption of the present earth (and humanity), and their eventual renewal and perfection by God in a future age to come, meant Christians had generally become "so heavenly minded as to be of no earthly use.""

(7:38) DeWitt's Reference to Jesus' Teaching
DeWitt cites a passage from the book of Matthew (chapter 6, verses 26-30) of the Bible (New Revised Standard Version):

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith?

Cecilia M. Caddell (1813-1877) used this New Testament verse as the basis for a familiar hymn at many Christian church services, "Behold the Lilies of the Field":

Behold the lilies of the field,
they neither toil nor sow;
yet God does all things needful yield
that they may live and grow.

Not Solomon in glory shone
like one of these poor flowers,
that look to God and God alone
for sunshine and for showers.

And does his mercy value less
the offspring of his grace?
And will a Father's love not bless
the child that seeks his face?

He is our Father, and he knows
his earthly children's need:
on all our daily wants and woes
he looks with careful heed.

O then away with fear and care
for all that may betide;
and turn to God in trustful prayer,
and in his love confide.

(10:18) Community-Supported Agriculture
Suzanne DeMuth of the United States Department of Agriculture defines Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as "a community of individuals who pledge support to a local farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production." Community members invest in a farm or garden in advance by pledging to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, members receive shares in the farm's production during the growing season. They also share the farmer's risk of poor harvests due to weather and pests. Members often participate in the food production as a way of reconnecting with the land.

The CSA concept originated in Switzerland and Japan in the 1960s as a way of ensuring safe food practices and stabilizing markets for farmers. CSAs first took root in the U.S. in the 1980s. More than 1,700 CSA farms currently exist in the United States.

(10:28–12:17) Music Element
"Desert Rose"
from Belladonna,
performed by Daniel Lanois

(11:07) Evangelical Environmental Network
The Evangelical Environmental Network is an affiliation of individuals and organizations who see environmental problems as fundamental spiritual problems. Evangelical Christians view "creation care" as a mandate by God as written in the Bible. In 2004, the National Association of Evangelicals unanimously adopted a call to action titled "For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility." (PDF) The document details guiding areas for Christian political engagement in the coming years. They include, in this order, the protection of religious freedom and liberty of conscience; nurturing family life and children; protecting the sanctity of human life; seeking justice and compassion for the poor; and working to protect human rights and God's creation.

Nearly 100 leading evangelical leaders signed "Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action". The document called on other evangelicals and other Christians to recognize that climate change is real, that it affects the poor disproportionately, and that it is a moral imperative for Christians to respond to the problem.

(11:16) Au Sable Institute
DeWitt headed The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, which creates academic curricula for Christian colleges and universities. The mission of Au Sable Institute is "the integration of knowledge of the Creation with biblical principles for the purpose of bringing the Christian community and the general public to a better understanding of the Creator and the stewardship of God's Creation." All of its programs and activities are structured to allow, and are conducted for, promotion of Christian environmental stewardship.

(11:28) A Climate Forum for Evangelical Leaders
In July 2002, more than 70 scientists, policymakers, and Christian leaders met in Oxford, England for Forum 2002 on Global Climate Change. The conference organizers called upon these leaders to recognize the ethical implications and moral responsibility of their responses to climate change. And, they asserted, the best way to examine this issue was "to be aware of current scientific knowledge as well as to reflect on how care for the earth is integrally linked with the core doctrines of creation, redemption, resurrection, and Christ's return."

One of the speakers was physicist Sir John Houghton (listen to his presentation on climate change), who served as co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Working Group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from 1998-2002. In his testimony before the U.S. Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee in July 2005, Houghton explained why he's optimistic, as a scientist and a Christian, about the future:

People often say to me that I am wasting my time talking about Global Warming. "The world" they say "will never agree to take the necessary action." I reply that I am optimistic for three reasons. First, I have experienced the commitment of the world scientific community (including scientists from many different nations, backgrounds and cultures) in painstakingly and honestly working together to understand the problems and assessing what needs to be done. Secondly, I believe the necessary technology is available for achieving satisfactory solutions. My third reason is that, as a Christian, I believe God is committed to his creation and that we have a God-given task of being good stewards of creation — a task that we do not have to accomplish on our own because God is there to help us with it. As a recent statement on climate change by scientific and religious leaders in the U.S. says: "What is most required at this moment … is moral vision and leadership. Resources of human character and spirit — love of life, far sightedness, solidarity — are needed to awaken a sufficient sense of urgency and resolve."

Richard Cizik, the vice president of governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, said that he was "converted to the science of climate change" at this meeting. Listen to Cizik talk about his experience as part of the SOF program, "The Evolution of American Evangelicalism."

(13:02) World Wildlife Federation
Larry J. Schweiger is president and chief executive officer of the World Wildlife Federation. Read his blog for a better understanding of his approach to activism.

(13:05) Chaucer's "Environing"
Chaucer used the term "environing" in his poem," The Floure and the Leafe" from 1598:

And with great reverence they enclining low
To the tree, so soot and faire of hew;
And after that, within a little throw,
They began to sing and daunce of new;
Some song of love, some plaining of untrew,
Environing the tree that stood upright,
And ever yede a lady and a knight.

(16:06) Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a Christian movement that was started by a small group of Catholics and Protestants in 1972. The organization works to get people of faith to influence U.S. policies that address the causes of hunger. Its membership has grown to over 50,000 people.

(16:18) Boise Vineyard Church
Vineyard Christian Fellowship, a Pentecostal church in Boise, Idaho, is headed by Senior Pastor Tri Robinson. The church's environmental outreach campaign, called "Let's Tend the Garden," produces media campaigns and television advertisements, writes position papers and essays, and organizes meet-up events aimed at protecting the environment. Bill Moyers featured members of the Vineyard Church of Boise in his 2006 public television special, "Is God Green?"

 

(17:41–18:53) Music Element
"Blue Lines"
from Blue Lines,
performed by Massive Attack

(19:37) Citation of Wayne C. Booth
Wayne C. Booth (1921-2005) was Professor Emeritus in English at the University of Chicago and one of the 20th century's most prominent and influential literary critics. He was raised as a Mormon in Utah and served on a mission for the Church of Latter-Day Saints before receiving a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University. Read more about Booth's connection to the Mormon faith in "Confessions of an Aging, Hypocritical Ex-Missionary."

DeWitt paraphrases a passage from Booth's 1984 essay "Systematic Wonder: The Rhetoric of Secular Religions":

Religion is the passion, or the desire, both to live right — not just to live but to live right — and to spread right living, both desires conceived as responses to some sort of cosmic demand — that is, to a demand made to us by the way things are, by the way the world is, by the nature of Nature (as some would say) or by God himself (as explicitly religious people put it).

(20:24) Wise Thinkers from the Netherlands
The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency is a Dutch research institute that advises the Dutch government and international organizations on issues such as sustainable development, energy and climate change, transport, land use, and air quality. Some of the questions they have considered include:

1. How polluted are the Netherlands, Europe and the world, and what are the implications and prospects for people, plants and animals?  What is the fate of nature?
2. What is the environmental role in economic and social developments, both nationally and internationally? What does climate change mean for the Netherlands and the rest of the world?
3. What are governments doing to protect nature and the environment? Are they doing enough? What does it cost? Where can improvements be made? How effective are they?
4. What factors contribute to sustainable development and in what dimension (socio-cultural, ecological or economic)?

(18:01–18:49) Music Element
"Numbers 1-4"
from Concert Program (live),
performed by Penguin Cafe Orchestra and composed by Simon Jeffes

(22:20–26:17) Music Element
"Big Mon"
from Ten from Little Worlds,
performed by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

(26:45) MacArthur "Genius Grant"
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awards fellowships annually to United States citizens who "have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction." Popularly referred to as "genius grants," the monetary award of $500,000 to each fellow is described as an investment in a person's potential, rather than an acknowledgement of past achievement. Carter was one of 25 recipients of a 2005 MacArthur Fellowship.

(26:55) Sustainable South Bronx
Majora Carter founded Sustainable South Bronx in 2001 and serves as its executive director. Its mission is "environmental justice through innovative, economically sustainable projects that are informed by the needs of the community."

(27:15) One of New York City's Poorest Neighborhoods
The South Bronx refers to five community districts in the southwestern portion of the Bronx. The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York City, the others being Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. August 2005 census data ranked the Bronx as the nation's poorest urban county with nearly one-third of its 1.3 million residents living below the poverty line.

When President Jimmy Carter visited the South Bronx in 1977, he called it "the worst slum in America." In a 1980 visit, then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan compared it to London during the Blitz. Since then, the landscape and reputation of the area has seen promising change, prompting President Bill Clinton in 1997 to call it a model of urban renewal. Many community organizations, however, are quick to point out the ongoing economic and social challenges amidst continued revitalization efforts.

(27:25) Industrial Facilities and High Rates of Asthma
The South Bronx Environmental Health and Policy Study — a collaborative research project by New York University and community groups — issued a report in 2005 that described a strong correlation between asthma hospitalization rates and the number of industrial facilities in the Bronx. According to the study, 17 percent of school-age children in the South Bronx have asthma, a rate three times the national average. An October 2006 New York City Health Department report said the South Bronx has the city's highest asthma rate (10 percent).

(27:41–28:50) Music Element
"Blue Lines"
from Blue Lines,
performed by Massive Attack

(27:55) South Bronx Burning
A potent symbol of the decline of the South Bronx in the 1970s was the burning of buildings by landlords and other arsonists who craved insurance money. It caught national attention when during a 1977 World Series game at Yankees Stadium, broadcaster Howard Cosell directed cameras toward a burning building and said "Ladies and gentleman, the Bronx is burning." Mel Rosenthal's photographs of the blighted area capture the devastation and the face of the residents left behind in the South Bronx.

(31:42) Waste Facility on the Waterfront
The Fresh Kills landfill covers over 3.4 square miles (2,200 acres) of the western portion of Staten Island. Opened as a temporary facility in 1947, the landfill received its last barge of garbage on March 22, 2001. Being the world's largest landfill, transition plans were made to find new places for the garbage to be dumped. Trash once shipped from barges would be trucked to land-based commercial waste transfer stations in poorer communities, including the South Bronx, which handled 25 percent of the city's waste while Manhattan handled none of its trash.

Community-based environmental and advocacy groups fought the plan and have had some success. Alternative options have been proposed but no permanent plan has been adopted. Master planning is underway for a park on the Fresh Kills site that will envelop the large mounds of the landfill, wetlands, and open waterways.

(34:15–35:25) Music Element
"Oscar Tango"
from Concert Program (live),
performed by Penguin Cafe Orchestra and composed by Simon Jeffes

(34:48) Five Initiatives of Sustainable South Bronx
The following five initiatives of Sustainable South Bronx are inspired by models in other cities, such as Bogota, Columbia:

• South Bronx Greenway
• Smart Roof Project (green roofs)
• Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (B.E.S.T.)
• Sheridan Expressway Decommission
• Solid Waste and Energy Program

To gain a better perspective of what organizations like Sustainable South Bronx and others are facing, take a virtual walking tour with Omar Freilla of Green Worker Cooperatives. He shows the obstacles facing the South Bronx and offers solutions as to how to proceed.

(43:38) TED Talk and Al Gore
Majora Carter was a featured speaker at the 2006 Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) conference in Monterey, California. TED is an annual event that brings together leading thinkers based on a common topic. Speaking on the theme — "The Future We Will Create" — you can watch Majora Carter's presentation explaining her commitment to environmental justice and her vision for a renewed South Bronx.

(48:29–52:36) Music Element
"Frammin'"
from Can You Feel It?,
performed by The Campbell Brothers

(50:29–52:36) Music Element
"Kalimba"
from Music for Films, Volume 3,
performed by Laraaji