Faith leaders hold Santa Cruz climate festival Sunday

A festival with live music, food, art, eco-fashion, kids’ activities and spiritual offerings will focus on climate action on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Resurrection Church at 7600 Soquel Dr. in Aptos.

Attendees of the free Climate Fest, which was organized by the Santa Cruz Interfaith Dayenu Circle: A Climate Action Group, “will learn how to advocate for climate action, find out the latest on home electrification and electric vehicles, engage in creative and experiential workshops, get tips on plant-based eating and experience a sense of community with many faith traditions.”

In a release, organizers of the event said that their “intention to inspire action from a place of spiritual presence and peace” is what makes the event unique. They stressed that it is an interfaith event where all are welcome, regardless “regardless of whether you are part of a faith tradition.

Sunday’s festival will include:

• 11:45 a.m. Opening remarks by Deacon Patrick Conway, Elisha Christopher, Larry Levin and Batya Kagan.
• Noon to 12:45 p.m. “Engaging in Climate Advocacy: Why Your Voice Matters, How to Be Heard!” A conversation with state Sen. John Laird, facilitated by Rabbi Shifra Weiss-Penzias and Aisha Charves.
• 1 to 1:45 p.m. “Visioning the Future Our Hearts Know is Possible,” an interactive program facilitated by Tenzin Chogkyi and the Rev. Steve Palmisano.
• 2 to 2:45 p.m. “How to Talk about Climate Change and Other Difficult Issues,” with Rabbi Paula Marcus, the Rev. Elisha Christpher, Michael Levy and Tenzin Chogkyi.
• 3 to 3:45 p.m. “Making a Difference by Eating Well,” a panel discussion with Jan Liband, Eat for the Earth; Adam Scow, Campaign for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture; and Rabbi Eli Cohen. 
• 4 to 4:30 p.m. Interfaith Ceremony for Honoring the Earth.

Food will be available from vendors including Mattia Pizza Truck, Veg On The Edge and The Pesce Veggie.

The church’s youth center building will host information about recycling and repurposing clothing with style, and eco-fashion shows will be held throughout the afternoon in the Main Hall.

There will be children’s activities in the main hall and small meeting rooms.

Listening stations will be set up in the main hall conference room to share concerns about climate change and be heard.

Environmentally friendly gardening demonstrations will be held in the yard behind the church’s meeting hall.

Electric vehicle owners about will answer questions in the parking lot near the entrance to the main hall.

And home electrification information will be provided in the parking lot near the entrance to the main hall, including on the initial steps you can take in the transition away from fossil fuel heating and cooking.

About 15 climate-action community organizations will attend Sunday to share information and resources. 

Santa Cruz Interfaith Dayenu Circle: A Climate Action Group includes 19 faith organizations representing more than 10,000 people, including members from Baha’i, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker and Unitarian congregations. The group is affiliated with the national organization Dayenu, a Jewish Call to Climate Action.

RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.