The second annual United Church of Christ Earth Day Summit took place on Saturday, April 20, just before Earth Day, Monday, April 22. The event featured celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben, who delivered the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture with the title, “Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell?”
The Rev. Brooks Berndt, minister for environmental justice for the United Church of Christ, hosted the event along with the Rev. Michael Malcom, executive director of Alabama Interfaith Power and Light.
Berndt said he felt the keynote was especially well-received. “From the emails I have received and from the social media posts I have read, I can tell that McKibben had a strong impact on our audience. His remarks were filled with insightful observations and memorable lines that struck a strong chord with audience members. Most importantly, he instilled in people a sense of urgency to act.”
McKibben has written 20 books and many articles that have been instrumental in bringing climate change and environmental science to the attention of the general public. He helped to found the first global grassroots climate campaign, 350.org, and he founded Third Act, a community of people over the age of 60 organizing action around climate and justice.
Additionally, a panel of award-winning activists discussed the multi-national struggle against the pollution of Formosa Plastics, one of the world’s largest plastics producers.
You can watch the entire Earth Day Summit 2024 here.