March 2025 Blog
Reflections from Winnipeg on Climate Change
Douglas Day Kaufman
The timing was impeccable. I arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to talk with area Mennonites about climate change just as President Trump arranged tariffs on our neighbors to the north. In the midst of crises related to a disruptive new vision for the U.S., it was meaningful to dialogue together. I was warmly welcomed, and I also received a lot of inquiries about our country. I asked for prayer.
Canada and the United States, as the world’s two largest CO2 emitters per capita, face similar challenges for climate action. Canada’s considerable policy progress on carbon pricing is under threat in the midst of an election. The U.S. is actively dismantling climate action programs and funding.
Gracious hosting by Canadian Mennonite University provided warmth in Manitoba’s frigid February temperatures (lows of -29°C/-20°F!). Over a week on campus, I preached, taught several classes, attended a pastors conference, and spoke at a campus forum with ACC Climate Ambassador Sophia Lobe. These joint actions meaningfully extended our partnership with CMU, which has been a long-time host for a Campus Climate Ambassador.
Together ACC and Mennonite Church Canada also kicked off a bi-national climate leaders learning and action cohort. More than 20 people made a significant time commitment to join us in learning about the Bible and the environment, and spiritual leadership on climate. We ask for your blessings on the group’s work as we meet monthly through July.
While in Canada, I was thankful to learn from people like Marilyn Houser Hamm (outdoor photo) and others of Mennonite Church Manitoba’s Climate Action Working Group. I was inspired by the energy and actions of CMU students, and the University’s commitment to sustainability - right now, CMU is adding new geothermal energy.
I am thankful to be part of a church that takes us beyond national interests, that reminds us that we are a larger body of Christ. At ACC, we’re looking forward to growing collaboration on climate action between the US and Canada and extend our gratitude to ACC board member and CMU faculty member Kenton Lobe who made this visit possible.
April 10 Climate Advocacy Day
ACC and our partner MCC are hosting a climate advocacy day in Washington, DC on Thursday, April 10 - and we need your voice! Please join us, details and signup found below!
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act made historic investments in climate action, including renewable energy incentives and tree planting in low income communities. The Trump Administration's dramatic shifts in policy and funding freezes are endangering this progress.
In my region, the cities of Elkhart and Goshen have not received promised tree planting funding. Funds for our partner organization, Faith In Place, have also been frozen, impacting multiple initiatives in the Midwest, including Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary who had received a tree planting grant through them.
Congress holds the power to set budget and tax priorities that the Administration must follow, and Congresspeople from both parties need to hear from us. We will focus on the clean energy tax credits.
Join us on April 10! Participants from any state and any level of experience with advocacy are welcome. We will provide training and education on the clean energy tax credits, and facilitate meetings with your congressional offices. If you cannot come to DC that day, you can still attend the training online in a hybrid format and arrange a meeting at your regional congressional offices. If you’re interested, please contact Doug Kaufman by clicking below for details.
Announcing Hannah Stutzman, ACC Advancement Advisor
We are happy to announce Hannah Stutzman’s participation on the ACC team!
Hannah brings extensive experience in environmental conservation, sustainable community development initiatives, non-profit management, and fundraising. Hannah is currently the Board Chair for Equitable Origin, a nonprofit focused on a more just and equitable energy sector and indigenous rights.
She previously served as the Executive Director of Amazon Conservation Association, which seeks to unite people, science, and innovation to save some of Earth’s greatest wild places. Hannah loves to help purpose-driven organizations thrive and fostering deeper connections between people and the causes they care most about. She looks forward to engaging with the ACC community to advance climate action rooted in faith and justice.
Hannah has a Master’s of Environmental Management from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. She’s originally from Goshen, Indiana and currently lives in Washington, DC where she likes to bike and hike in her neighborhood National Park (Rock Creek Park!) with her husband and two young daughters.
Indiana Renewable Energy Day
Executive Director Douglas Day Kaufman was part of three Mennonites in the Goshen area who participated in Renewable Energy Day in Indianapolis on January 21, 2025. Doug, Glenn Gilbert, and Paul Steury met with state Senator Blake Doriot and state Representative Joanna King about community solar. It was a great time to reconnect with partners in these efforts such as Jalisa Mauldin, Indiana Outreach Coordinator with Faith in Place.
Religion & Science Conference at Goshen College
Our executive director Rev. Douglas Day Kaufman will be the homilist at the annual Religion and Science Conference at Goshen College March 7-9, 2025. The theme is “Living Well During Climate Change” with Dr. Sarah Fredericks, Associate Professor of Environmental Ethics, The University of Chicago Divinity School. Two of the talks are public and one talk and the homily are for registrants only. A Zoom option is available.
This is the second time Doug has preached at the conference; the first time was when climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe was the speaker.
Registration for the event is still open! Zoom coverage is available for those unable to attend in person.
ACC Alum Spotlights Fellow Alum’s Climate Journey
Read Sierra Ross Richer’s (ACC ‘Climate Pollinator’ author) story about Levi Geyer (ACC Campus Climate Ambassador 2019-2020) who practices sustainable agriculture by foraging nuts and planting hickory trees, improving Iowa farmland for future generations. Geyer said, “I see creation care as a big part of my faith. And doing agriculture in a way that is good for the Earth is really important to me.” You can read the article here.
Clean Energy Tax Credits in Jeopardy
An advocacy opportunity from our partners at Mennonite Central Committee
An upcoming budget bill threatens to cut popular clean energy tax credits to pay for expanded tax cuts and increased spending on immigration enforcement. Energy efficiency incentives and tax credits for solar panels, wind energy and electric vehicles are now in jeopardy. These tax credits create jobs, reduce emissions, save consumers money, and help to meet growing energy needs.
Take action: Urge Congress to protect clean energy tax credits
