COLUMBUS, Ohio – Scientists and clergy members from across the state get together this weekend to discuss the ways in which climate change is a matter of faith.

Leaders from dozens of congregations will be part of an Interfaith Power and Light Teach-In on Climate Change on Sunday, hearing from researchers from Ohio State University’s Byrd Polar Research Center.

Jason Cervenec, the center’s education and outreach coordinator, says researchers will share the science behind climate change, how it's influenced by human behavior and why it should be addressed sooner rather than later.

"We feel it's important that people have a good knowledge base,” he explains, “so that both members of the business community, the faith community, policymakers can use that knowledge to make informed decisions about policies and how people live."

Researchers also will preview a new National Climate Assessment report.

The Teach-In will be streamed live from Ohio State and viewed at locations in Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

It will be followed by a conversation about how faith leaders can share the information with their own congregations, and prepare for a National Preach-In on Climate Change on Feb 16.

OSU lecturer Greg Hitzhusen says the Teach-In fits the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to confront the issues of our time.

He says religious communities already play a role in addressing moral and ethical issues – and now, they're learning that climate change is a matter of faith.

"There are issues of justice and fairness that come out in terms of the disproportionate impacts of climate change,” he stresses. “And I think there also is just a concern for harm to the planet and harm to humans of all walks of life, when you look at the impacts of climate change."

Hitzhusen says that together, clergy and scientists can strike a balance between the moral approach to climate change and the desire for reliable information.

"Faith communities working together with scientists can do a good job of clearing up some of the confusion around an issue like climate change,” he says, “but also just helping just to clarify, 'What can we do about this?'"

The events will be followed by Act on Climate, a program that encourages congregations to get involved and make their own facilities more energy-efficient.





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New research from the University of New Hampshire could help dairy farmers increase profits while reducing their effect on the climate.

Scientists said adding a plant-based essential oil blend to cow feed can improve a cow's digestion and reduce the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Andre Brito, associate professor of dairy cattle nutrition and management at the University of New Hampshire, said the findings are especially true for pasture grazing cows and shows a happy cow makes for a healthier environment.

"If those animals are provided those conditions, they'll be more productive," Brito pointed out. "Then the amount of methane that's being emitted by those animals is diluted because they're producing more product."

Brito reported adding the plant oils led to a more than 6% increase in milk production, which is good news for the majority of New Hampshire dairies, especially small to mid-size operations with smaller profit margins and higher equipment costs.

Still, Brito noted the research findings could translate to larger, industrial-size dairies. The factory farms often hold thousands of cows, generating significant methane emissions through their hearty burps and manure, which is often stored in large, polluting lagoons.

Brito acknowledged although the plant-based oils are readily available for use, farmers must weigh the economic benefits and overall environmental impact.

"Any investment that the farmers would make in a product has to be tied to economics," Brito stressed. "Even though farmers overall, they are conscious about the environment and they want to make sure that there is less carbon, nitrogen footprint out of their farms."

Brito's research was conducted on cows as they transitioned from the winter indoor-feeding schedule to eating their favorite plants in the pasture, a diet change which can increase the cow's emissions.

Brito added he hopes the research can help farmers better understand when to add the oils to the cow feed to potentially reduce the cow's overall climate effect.


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State officials in Maine are highlighting apprenticeships as a way to earn a living wage and contribute to the state's growing green economy.

They'll kick off the first-ever Youth Apprenticeship Week by exposing high school students to the numerous ways they can learn and earn in offshore wind energy development, passive home construction, aquaculture, and more.

Maine Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program Manager Kristine McCallister said about 90% of apprentices choose to stay with their employer after their training is complete.

"Apprentices have a mentor and they're earning wages and they're earning pay increases as they go," said McCallister, "so it's a really great way to attract talent to Maine and to keep talent here."

McCallister said apprentices will earn $300,000 more over their lifetime. The state aims to add 75,000 more workers to the economy over the next five years by growing career training pipelines.

A report by the Maine Labor Climate Council finds the state can create tens of thousands of jobs by building a zero-carbon transportation system.

Workers will be needed to install EV charging stations, electrify school bus fleets, and potentially build a high-speed rail line from Bangor to Boston.

McCallister said new Mainers, like those studying with Portland Adult Education, are using apprenticeships to fill these roles and other clean-energy jobs.

"Those pre-apprentices just graduated and have interviewed with some of our apprenticeship programs," said McCallister, "so we're really hoping they're going to help feed that pipeline as this economy is booming in Maine in terms of the renewable-energy sector."

McCallister said some companies are even offering on-the-spot interviews and job offers this week. All apprenticeship events are listed on the Department of Labor's website.




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Climate watchers are predicting this summer's temperatures may set records, which could aggravate some medical conditions.

A 30-year study of health records from more than 200 countries and territories suggests a connection between stroke and climate change. The online publication "Neurology" reported the growing number of global deaths and disabilities from strokes are linked to -- but not caused by -- climate change.

Dr. Ann Jones, stroke neurologist at Indiana University Hospital, said when the body feels extreme heat and sweat evaporates, hypercoagulation, or blood thickening, occurs, which increases the chance for blood clots. Winter weather can also produce an instinctive response.

"The cold makes us kind of react with our fight-or-flight kind of drive, and it makes our blood vessels close down or vasoconstrict," Jones explained. "That can raise blood pressure up and that can predispose you to stroke."

Jones noted an ischemic stroke involves a clogged artery preventing blood from flowing to brain tissue. A ruptured artery during a hemorrhagic stroke causes blood to travel outside the artery wall into the brain tissue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported almost 43% or 3,500 per 100,000 Hoosiers died from a stroke in 2021. Indiana ranks 34th in the nation for the rate of strokes.

The Yale Center on Climate Change and Health found heat can increase the risk of a stroke. Recent global burden-of-disease studies found 2 to 5 million deaths per year are linked to extreme temperatures globally. And climate change can also indirectly impact health through poor water quality, air pollution and increased spreading of infectious diseases.

Jones maintained good health is a start toward prevention and recommends the Mediterranean diet; consuming less red meat for optimal well-being and getting 30 minutes of exercise five times per week.

"Some things are out of our control," Jones acknowledged. "But just taking care of yourself in the ways that we can; focusing more on vegetables, fish, and staying hydrated, working on blood pressure with that reduced goal of less than 130 over 80."

The study indicated more research could identify the impact of temperature change on stroke as a way to address health inequalities including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes.