Recording for Abolitionist Visions on Climate Justice
Imagine it's 2050 and we've achieved all of our wildest hopes for climate justice...what does it look like? The abolitionist movement imagines a future without police and prisons, drawing on deep convictions, faith, imagination, and hope to do so. The climate justice movement is diverse, vibrant, and equally hopeful: but do we UUs have a vision of what a just climate future is? Without a clear vision of a world where all can thrive, we run the risk of prioritizing short-term gains, false solutions, legislative goals disconnected from cultural shifts, and distractions that divide our focus.
Watch the recording of this radical gathering of thinkers for abolitionist visions of climate justice. Facilitated by Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy, the panel will include Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Ecowomanist theologian and sole candidate for UUA President*; Dr. Rashid Shaikh, director of science emeritus at the Health Effects Institute in Boston and co-convenor of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus on Climate Justice; and Antoinette Scully, Faith-Based National Organizer for the UU Women's Federation.
* NOTE: This event was sponsored by Side With Love and was not a campaign event
As part of this event, we asked now-UUA President Sofía Betancourt, Dr. Rashid Shaikh, and Antoinette Scully to draw a picture of the world they want to see. If you imagine the world we want to create, what does it look like? How does it feel? What does not exist in that future world?
Below is the illustration that resulted. You can download a full-color pdf or a black/white outline of the drawing for printing to color at home or school.
Image description: Graphic notes from the Abolitionist Visions on Climate Justice webinar titled, "Side With Love. Abolitionist Visions on Climate Justice," with a sunflower with a raised fist stem at the top. In the top left is a group of people holding hands, sharing a thought bubble with a heart, and resting atop a half-earth with the words, "Plantcestors, Spiritual Natural Grounding, and Beyond the Human World." In the bottom left is a Council of Grandmothers. In the center is a globe with cities powered by clean energy and oceans with abundant fish and red arrows. On the right side of the document is a large scene featuring mountains; a thriving city with clean energy, rivers supporting birds and fish, happy families, healthy agriculture, and safe roads; and cows, sheep, bees, and people relaxing in a field near the words, "Loving Each Other" and "Caring for Each Other." The whole document features a diversity of plants and people of different races, ages, genders, and abilities. There are bright colors and gentle lines, and all the beings represented are free, connected, and safe. Logos: UUA, Create Climate Justice, Green Sanctuary 2030, See in Colors.
Image description: The black and white version of the graphic illustration shared above, to be used as a coloring page.