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CHANGING by CHOICE: a fresh look at climate and faith

a new video series and discussion guide for small-group study

from Texas Impact and friends

Climate change can be a challenging topic. It is natural for people of faith to feel deep empathy for people around the world struggling with climate impacts. But the news is not all bad. Scientists say that we are in a critical decade to take action to protect the long-term stability of the climate.

Faith groups are a natural place to wrestle with questions about the appropriate response to climate change. We are people who are called to love our neighbors, not just the ones we know, but everyone. Now is the perfect time to start this conversation with others in your faith community—and we’ve designed Changing by Choice to help you get the conversation started.

Welcome to the fifth and final week of Changing by Choice. During our time together we have considered ways that our faith helps us think about and understand the problem of climate change. We have heard from people from all over the world about the devastating impacts climate change has on people and communities. We have considered important topics like hunger and famine, drought, sea level rise, and the rights of indigenous people. We have learned about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the international community committed to doing the work of climate action. 

In this week's video, experienced climate leaders will talk about the importance of cooperative action. Trigg Talley, former lead US climate negotiator joins us one more time to talk about the Paris Agreement and America is All in. Christiana Figueres uses the metaphor of the butterfly migration to talk about the importance of continuing the work over time. Direector of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary Karenna Gore calls us to speak the truth, following the guidance of our heart and faith. And Sister Jayanti of India calls us into a life of simplicity and care that will benefit not only ourselves but the community and the world.

Not only does it take many different skills to address a problem like climate change, it takes people from many different backgrounds and experienced all sharing their stories and wisdom. This diversity of thinking and experience helps us understand climate change better, which means we can be more effective in creating effective solutions. We hope you take all of these stories with you and share with others why the work of climate justice is an important matter of faith.

Welcome to the fifth and final week of Changing by Choice. During our time together we have considered ways that our faith helps us think about and understand the problem of climate change. We have heard from people from all over the world about the devastating impacts climate change has on people and communities. We have considered important topics like hunger and famine, drought, sea level rise, and the rights of indigenous people. We have learned about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the international community committed to doing the work of climate action.

In this week's video, experienced climate leaders will talk about the importance of cooperative action. Trigg Talley, former lead US climate negotiator joins us one more time to talk about the Paris Agreement and America is All in. Christiana Figueres uses the metaphor of the butterfly migration to talk about the importance of continuing the work over time. Direector of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary Karenna Gore calls us to speak the truth, following the guidance of our heart and faith. And Sister Jayanti of India calls us into a life of simplicity and care that will benefit not only ourselves but the community and the world.

Not only does it take many different skills to address a problem like climate change, it takes people from many different backgrounds and experienced all sharing their stories and wisdom. This diversity of thinking and experience helps us understand climate change better, which means we can be more effective in creating effective solutions. We hope you take all of these stories with you and share with others why the work of climate justice is an important matter of faith.

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YouTube Video UExweEhlSXFoeVBrMWQ1ak1Ia29tZVpXYjdzWlpwQU1JWS4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Changing by Choice: a fresh look at climate and faith | Ep 5 "Wheels of Fortune"

Texas Impact 139 views March 12, 2026 8:06 pm

Change is inevitable – either by choice or by catastrophe. If global warming is left unchecked, change will be imposed on us as it disrupts our societies, economies, and families. If instead we choose to organize ourselves in collective action, we have the possibility of rewriting a different future. Changing by choice gives us the chance for a future that is not dictated by climate tragedy, but rather by resilience and agency towards a vision we design ourselves.

André Aranha Corrêa do Lago

COP30 President

This study series is based on the Global Ethical Stocktake, an effort launched ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The goal of the Global Ethical Stocktake was to start a global conversation about the moral and ethical dimensions of climate change. People around the world have used these five questions as a framework for group discussion about climate change. The central question is “if we understand the science about climate change and understand that it is harming people, why do we continue to resist making changes to stop it?” The question of why we fail to do better even when we know better is a timeless question for our spiritual and religious traditions. We hope that incorporating these questions into your Lenten practice will help shape your understanding of climate change as a matter of faith, and motivate you for action on this important justice issue.

The study includes five lessons, each one focused on one of the Global Ethical Stocktake Questions. Each lesson includes a video featuring faith leaders and experts on climate diplomacy. Scripture, faith statements, news articles, and other resources are provided to guide your discussion.