FSCA Conference 2022
Preserving our Future
Intergenerational Advocacy for a Livable Climate
Click the link below to register for the event:
NOTICE:
Please note there have been some changes to our Sessions as of November 11, 2022, due to unforeseen circumstances.
Conference on Zoom
October 30th, November 6th, 13th, 20th, and December 4th: 6:30-8pm
To register for the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fsca-2022-intergenerational-advocacy-for-a-livable-climate-tickets-399641607807
Announcing the third Faith, Science & Climate Conference (FSCA) to empower faith- and science-oriented individuals and communities to learn how to collaborate on climate change and environmental justice issues. This year, it takes the form of a 5-week speaker series.
We’re building interactivity into the virtual conference to give participants the opportunity to be involved in the conversation in a collaborative and supportive manner.
Our focus is to provide attendees the tools of methods and information to take back to their social and faith groups for discussion and actions that lead to effective change.
The urgency of addressing our climate problems cannot be overstated. The recently-released United Nations Intergovernmental Panel Special Report, with over 6,000 cited references from hundreds of scientists, calls for immediate worldwide attention to this global problem. The welfare of coming generations depends on our courage now.
FSCA 2022 Agenda
Session 1:
Youth Advocating via the Judicial System for Their Rights to a Livable Climate
Sunday, October 30 @ 6:30pm
Our Children's Trust & Held v. State of Montana
Join us for and update on Montana’s Held vs. State of Montana case as Attorney Phil Gregory, Local Counsel Roger Sullivan, and Grace, Held v. State of Montana Youth Plaintiff join us for this keynote session!
Session 2:
Faith, Hope and Action: Climate Justice Advocacy
Sunday, November 6 @ 6:30pm
Dave Hemion, MPA
Hear from Dave Hemion and how he has been active in engaging his congregation through advocacy and the importance of connecting with statewide networks for support and action alerts. The session will include updates on critical climate and environmental issues in Montana and will also address concerns over threats to the Montana Constitution and our youth’s right to a healthy and clean environment. Others involved in this session are Anne Hedges with MEIC, Northern Plains Resource Council, Noah Aukerman, and Pastor Charles Wei.
UPDATED SESSION
Session 3:
Leading Our Faith Communities Though Adaptations to a New Environment
Sunday, November 13 @ 6:30pm
Dr. Carol Anway
We are all called to protect God’s majestic creation. We know we have challenges ahead because of the published knowledge of our scientific partners. While we value mitigation efforts to reduce long-term impact, this presentation examines the specific challenges coming to Montana in the next three decades. We start the process of identifying how we can use our individual expertise to help our communities adapt to climate change and thrive spiritually and economically in the years to come. We talk about specific challenges in changes to our seasonal weather, events like floods and fires, adaptation of farming, electricity generation, and impacts to our health. In all these challenges, our faith communities lead and grow to meet the challenge with grace, flexibility, and generosity.
Session 4:
Communicating With Those Who are Different Than You
Sunday, November 20 @ 6:30pm
Piper Christian
Learn how to talk across political and value divides by hearing Piper’s story advocating and engaging youth in Utah. Learn from her experience and develop the tools to communicate with our legislators, and each other.
Session 5:
Networking With Climate Action Groups in Montana
Sunday, December 4 @ 6:30pm
Environmental Organizations
This final session provides the opportunity to network with environmental organizations throughout Montana. Whether you’re an individual, faith community, or student, come see the various opportunities for partnerships, internships, and more with the organizations in attendance. Our supporting organizations will take part in this session. Check out our Series Supporters page to see who all will be in this session.
RESCHEDULED FROM NOV. 13th
Session 6:
Developing Your Personal Story for Climate Advocacy
Sunday, December 11 @ 6:30pm
Lucy Hochschartner & Isabel Shaida
Join Lucy and Isabel as they share about their advocacy through Gallatin Valley Sunrise and the importance of crafting your own story for climate advocacy. This workshop will help you begin the process of developing your own story using your own experiences and things you find important.
Meet The Session Speakers
Grace
Held v. State of Montana Youth Plaintiff
Phil Gregory
Of Counsel, Our Children's Trust
Since 2010, Phil Gregory has served as Of Counsel with OCT on a pro bono basis, all while maintaining his litigation practice with the Gregory Law Group. Phil’s representative cases litigated issues like title to real property on the California coast and decades-long groundwater contamination, while his pro bono trial work has addressed flooding during Hurricane Katrina, preserving old growth redwoods in Richardson Grove, and saving Coho salmon in the Smith River. In 1976, Phil obtained his B.A. from Bowdoin College, graduating magna cum laude in two majors. In 1980, Phil obtained his J.D. and M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. He is a Master of the Bench and former past President with the Hon. William Ingram American Inn of Court. He is also a Fellow with the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a member with the American Board of Trial Advocates. For 16 years in a row, Phil has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by superlawyer.com. Phil loves backpacking, tending his vineyard, spending time in Maine, and playing with his grandchildren.
Roger Sullivan
Local Counsel, Held v. State of Montana
Over the course of the last 35 years Roger’s legal career has focused on two objectives: securing justice for Montana’s workers and advocating for Montanans’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Roger has litigated a number of landmark cases in both the environmental and workers’ rights fields. He has been named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Montana Trial Lawyers Association for his advocacy on behalf of Montana’s workers, and Conservationist of the Year by the Montana Environmental Information Center for his environmental advocacy. Roger is especially proud that his clients have twice been honored with the Citizens Award by the Montana Trial Lawyers Association: the Advisory Committee for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Profit Sharing Class Action which succeeded in securing settlements in the range of $100 million; and Libby asbestos victims recognized for their successful efforts in the courts and in defeating corporate bailout legislation at the state and national levels. Roger is admitted to practice in Montana’s state and federal courts; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court. Roger is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, skiing, sailing, and fishing—especially with his children and grandchildren.
Dave Hemion, MPA
Dave Hemion has been an environmental activist since 1971, when he served as president of Ecology Action in Austin, Texas. EA established Austin’s first community recycling program, exposed pollution of Austin waterways, and became an early leader in the environmental movement in Texas. Dave retired in 2018 after a 42-year career as an association management executive. In retirement he has dedicated his time managing creation justice grassroots lobbying groups as a volunteer with St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Helena and UMC’s Mountain Sky Conference Creation Justice Task Force. Dave earned a BS in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas and an MA in Public Administration from the University of Montana. Dave and wife Susan are in love with Montana’s wild places and all creatures who dwell therein.
Piper Christian
Piper Christian studies Environmental Studies and Political Science at the University of Utah. In 2018, she helped lead a coalition of high school students to pass the first resolution in the Utah State Legislature to recognize climate change. Since then, she has worked in a variety of political and advocacy roles, including as an intern for Utah State Senator Jani Iwamoto, and as a Board Member for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, an international environmental nonprofit. As a passionate proponent of climate communication, she gave a TEDx talk in 2016 titled “Share Your Story, Protect the Planet” and served as a Public Voices Fellow on the Climate Crisis through the Yale Center for Climate Communication. She currently serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the SPARC Environmental Justice Lab at the University of Utah.
Isabel Shaida
Isabel Shaida is a body/movement practitioner and community organizer. She believes that through caring for one another, caring for our bodies, we can create structural change to protect our living planet. Isabel attended the College of the Atlantic and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Ecology in 2019. She was a 2018/19 Conservatory Artist with ensemble-based theater group, SITI Company. Living in Bozeman, she moves, teaches and makes theater with local company, Nervous Theatre. Isabel has been organizing with Gallatin County Sunrise, a youth climate organization, since March 2020. She seeks to increase communications between government and young people to imagine and create the world we need.
Lucy Hochschartner
Lucy Hochschartner grew up on a farm in the mountains and saw the climate changing with her own eyes from a young age. After her time as a professional biathlete, watching the demise of winter in countries across the world, she retired to try and elect better politicians. She joined Sunrise for the friends, the good food, and the joy of making a difference with the best people on this warming planet.