Help Inform DEP About Environmental Justice Impacts of Climate Change in Your Community
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants to hear from you about current and future climate change impacts on your community and is holding a series of listening sessions plus an online survey to help prepare a guide to climate action for environmental justice communities. Pennsylvania’s climate is
Draft Social Message on Climate Crisis Ready for Comments
A “Draft of a Social Message on Earth’s Climate Crisis” now is posted for public comment and feedback. You can read the social message draft here and then use this survey to share your input by Dec. 2. Public input helps inform revision of the draft that is sent then
LAMPa Policy Council Gathers to Learn, Grow Community
The Laurel Highlands served as a beautiful backdrop for LAMPa's Policy Council retreat at Camp Sequanota in September. The council, which began a new term Sept. 1, heard updates on legislative action and began discussion of possible policy priorities for the next term, based on what they are witnessing in
Housing, Education and Creation Care Get Boost in State Budget
The 2022-23 Pennsylvania budget includes significant gains for education, housing and creation care, but only a modest increase for anti-hunger programs. A $1.8 billion increase in education funding makes strides toward decreasing the funding gap in what has been one of the least equitable school funding systems in the country.
LAMPa, Partners, Advocate for Creation Care
LAMPa and partner organizations visited legislative leaders this week to advocate for a slate of budgetary proposals regarding creation care and environmental justice. Advocates urged the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds for clean water by passing Growing Greener III (SB 525 & HB 2020) and the Clean
Climate Panel Report “Dire Warning” with Narrow Window for Action
Climate change is causing widespread and dangerous threats to nature and billions of people around the planet, but especially those least able to cope, according to a report released this week by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warns that humankind has a narrowing window for action. “This
Rogation Stories: Church & Community Gardens
In late April this year LAMPa joined with United Lutheran Seminary in the celebration of rogation. ULS’s spring convocation around the theme “The Theology of Gathering” helped Lutherans across Pennsylvania think about the ways in which we are connected, even as we distanced ourselves due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognizing this theme, and seeking to honor creation
LAMPa Welcomes Dennis Groce to Policy Council
Dennis Groce was confirmed as a member of the LAMPa Policy Council by vote of the Northwest PA Synod Assembly in June, 2021. Dennis and his wife Marcia have been members of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in North East, PA (Erie County) since 2006. In addition to congregational roles,
Rogation Stories: Stewardship & the Disenfranchised
In late April this year LAMPa joined with United Lutheran Seminary in the celebration of rogation. ULS’s spring convocation around the theme “The Theology of Gathering” helped Lutherans across Pennsylvania think about the ways in which we are connected, even as we distanced ourselves due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognizing this theme, and
Climate Impact Report Highlights Pennsylvania’s Challenges
By mid-century, the commonwealth will experience a 5.9 degree rise in temperature, according to the latest Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment. This increase will impact areas already prone to extreme weather events and climate disasters, as well as increasingly vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and farmland. “On our current path, the Pennsylvania our
