Leading climate scientist joins UCC Earth Day Summit coming April 26

The United Church of Christ 2025 Earth Day Summit will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Eastern time, and features a keynote address by one of the world’s leading climate scientists, Katharine Hayhoe. Hayhoe is the author of popular books such as Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, and A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions. Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime, as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith.

Kayhoe will deliver the Jim Antal Keynote lecture, and Rev. Brooks Berndt, minister for Environmental Justice at the UCC is excited about her appearance. “Hayhoe is one of the most sought-after speakers on climate change not only because of her expertise as one of the world’s leading climate scientists, but also because she is an outstanding communicator. As someone who is deeply rooted in her own faith, she has been an especially powerful leader among climate advocates in churches.”

Galvanizing our commitment

This two-and half-hour summit will also feature a panel discussion entitled “Climate Justice in a Toxic World.” Three grassroots leaders in the struggle against environmental racism in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will speak on this panel: Dr. Marsha Jackson from Southern Sector Rising, Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk, and Emmanual Davis from Justice for Joppa. Berndt said, “The panelists for the summit will galvanize our commitment to justice as they speak out of their grassroots struggles against environmental racism in North Texas. They will certainly provide a spark that ignites our continued advocacy and activism.”

The summit will also feature the announcement of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award winner and a celebration of the UCC’s newest Creation Justice Churches. “A highlight every summit is to hear from Dollie Burwell, the mother of the environmental justice movement.,” said Berndt. “She continues to be an example and an encouragement for us all. We look forward to announcing the winner of this year’s award named in her honor.”

Lifting our collective spirits

Berndt went on to share his enthusiasm for the annual event. “The summit is truly a lift to our collective spirits. We take time to celebrate the incredible work being done in the UCC. During my nearly ten years as the Environmental Justice minister, I have never before witnessed this level of leadership and engagement from our local churches, and it is only going to grow from here. We will be lifting up our newest Creation Justice Churches and our very first Climate Hope Affiliates. The growth we are experiencing in our ministries has given us much for which to be thankful.”

For those who can’t attend the Summit in person, a recording of the event will be sent out afterward, provided one has registered. You can register for the Annual UCC Earth Summit HERE. The summit is sponsored by the United Church Funds and the Cornerstone Fund.

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