We recommend to you a new book – ‘The Nature of Change’.
During lockdown, Imogen Hodgkins & Katie Riley (two Birmingham young climate activists) put this book together from the witness of youth climate activists from around the world: activists sometimes even working for change under repressive regimes, despite the obvious dangers. The courage and commitment of these activists comes through in their heartfelt words.
The book is available to download as a PDF – a voluntary donation of £6 for each download is encouraged where possible. You can make your donation by credit or debit card using the secure form below, and a download link will be sent to you. Donations go to two charities chosen by the authors:
- Indigenous Environmental Network A network of Indigenous peoples and groups that strives to address environmental and economic justice issues.
- Earth Justice An environmental law organisation that strives to achieve climate justice in courts all over the world.
Please do not apply gift aid, as we are unable to process gift aid on behalf of the four charities. If you are not in a position to make the £6 donation, or would prefer to make your donation by cheque or bank transfer, please contact us at hello@footstepsbcf.org.uk
We are pleased that the authors reached out to Footsteps to support their project and we were happy to donate towards the publication of this book as an organisation. A limited print run of physical copies were produced, and we are sending a number of these to faith communities in Birmingham. The authors hope that the digital version will be able to reach a much wider audience.
Footsteps will be hosting an event in the autumn in which people from faith communities in Birmingham can meet one of the authors on Zoom and find out more about the motivation of young people willing to put the future of life on Earth before their own comfort and career aims.
Make a donation to download your copy of the book:
‘The Nature of Change’ from a Faith Perspective
From a faith perspective, we are aware that in many faiths there is no division between sacred and secular, as Meister Eckhart wrote – every creature is ‘a book about God’.
Arguably all the activists represented in ‘The Nature of Change’, whether writing from a position of faith or from their own heart, are deeply aware of this sacredness, this preciousness of life on Earth; so deeply, in fact, that they are willing to imperil their own safety and comfort in order to try and protect the life of this planet.
There is a lesson in this for all people, whether of faith or not, and it is beholden on all of us to listen to these young peoples’ voices – young people so concerned about their futures and the future of all life on Earth. We are challenged to find ways we can respond meaningfully, including them as part of the solution, to encourage the urgent change needed to secure a future for all on this planet.
“Today’s generation of outspoken young climate activists are a very special kind of bodhisattva – stark truth-telling heralds and mirrors on our world. Their extraordinary impact shows that we don’t need an economics degree to speak the truth.”
Sister True Dedication from “Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet”