Debra K Rienstra

Refugia Newsletter #112 Polar vortex, legal wins and strategies, simplifying solar, neighborly faith refugia, and the music of the universe.

Some harder things in here, but important. All topped off with two videos that will make you laugh.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

Refugia Newsletter #110 Venezuelan oil, offshore wind, African solar, good state news, federal science funding, green buildings, musical fungi, and one hopeless storage room

Today's newsletter. As always, I try to balance the grim stuff with glimmers of goodness. Book-eating-fungi jazz? How can you resist?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

It's Halftime in America Time to Run With the Horses

Father Pete does it again--thanks for this challenging "half time speech" for people of faith and conscience in America.
fatherpetethewildernesspriest.substack.com/p/its-halfti...

Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa

The US does stupid and illegal things for oil while the rest of the world catches on to the obvious: move to clean energy. Fast.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...

As the Whitmer Administration Enters Its Final Year, Environmental Advocates Lament Wasted Opportunities - Inside Climate News Climate legislation requiring Michigan to get all its electricity from renewable sources became Gretchen Whitmer’s signature environmental bill. But now, tax incentives the governor granted data cente...

Really disappointed in my governor. Come on, gov, there's still time to do the right things! Grateful for @insideclimatenews.org reporting. Thanks, Tom Perkins for covering Michigan.

insideclimatenews.org/news/2212202...

The Agility Imperative: How Employers View Preparation for an… | AAC&U The survey found strong alignment between the outcomes of a liberal education and the skills and dispositions employers view as essential for success in…

Good news for higher education from this survey on employers' views. Bottom line: big majority of employers value what we do and want more of it. Those of us laboring away at small liberal arts colleges need this encouragement!
www.aacu.org/research/the...

CICW Funds Dozens of New Worship and Preaching Projects | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

So, so, so grateful for the news today that I received a Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Teacher-Scholar grant to work on my book REFUGIA CHURCH! Hooray!!!! Many thanks to the grant-decision staff at CICW for all you do to enrich the church.
worship.calvin.edu/resources/ar...

Refugia Newsletter #108 Hitting goals, a new phase-out coalition, solar permitting, insurance crisis, climate migration, UK refugia, and tile-whipping

You can expect to hear more about solar permitting in the new year, but we'll get started here. Also, enjoy the scavenger hunt opportunity in this one--find the cute video of releasing beavers buried in one of the articles I cite!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

The Art of Creation: Flipping Gray into Green The new Dutch sport of tegelwippen brings the fun of friendly competition together with care of the earth.

Tile-whipping?? At moments like this, I'm proud to be half-Dutch. (Thanks to the ever-excellent Louise Conner @circlewoodearth.bsky.social.) www.ecodisciple.com/blog/flippin...

Refugia Newsletter #107 For Real An insider report from COP30 plus Brazil adventures and some pollinator therapy

After a brief, virus-induced delay, the latest edition of the newsletter. This one features Ron recounting his experiences as an observer at COP30. Plus a dancing fossil dinosaur!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

Oh boy!!! We fans have been waiting YEARS for @jspencerfleming.bsky.social's new book!!!! Clear the calendar: I've got reading to do!

Refugia Newsletter #106 COP30, subnational actors, biodiversity strategies, sea turtles, nuns and indigenous land return, thriving puffins and scuttling crabs

Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

Inside COP: The Power of Cities - from the Local Leaders Forum Podcast Episode · Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast · 07/11/2025 · 37m

Outrage + Optimism is producing such great episodes on COP30. I was amazed to learn about the major gathering of local leaders. Esp. hopeful for US folks--US local leaders were there, despite... everything going on here at fed level.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

Calling all preachers: Grist, the foremost #climate-focused newsroom in the U.S., is teaming up with The BTS Center and our EcoPreacher partners to bring you a workshop that will hone your craft and renew your spirit.

Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...

Refugia Podcast Episode 40 Kipuka to Kipuka: Islands of Life, Faith, and Restoration

Inviting you to my Substack page because I've been neglectful about posting recent podcast episodes and newsletters. It's all here! Hawaiian refugia, the mighty diocese of San Francisco, and so much more. Maybe start here?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...

Refugia Podcast Episode 38 So Much Joy: Linda Racine and Traverse City Presbyterian Church

This is such a good one. If you attend a regular congregation and wish your church could do more about climate, listen to the marvelous Linda Racine and get inspired!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...

Refugia Podcast Episode 37 Land as Primary Text for Healing Community: Elaine Heath and Spring Forest

Combine new monasticism with a faith-based farm, a forest, and some creative leaders, and you get Spring Forest. So great to hear Elaine Heath reflect on embodied spirituality and community building.

refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...

Refugia Podcast Episode 36 True Woo: Pete Nunnally and Water and Wilderness Church

This is a lovely one, an interview this week with the gentle and courageous Father Pete Nunnally of Water and Wilderness church.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...

We knew it was getting bad at Paramount when Season 3 of Strange New Worlds was so so so terrible. Sigh.

Refugia Newsletter | Debra Rienstra | Substack A fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Click to read Refugia Newsletter, by Debra Rienstra, a Substack publication with thousands of subs...

Refugia Newsletter AND Refugia Podcast! My latest newsletter has exclusive video of PUFFINS! And the podcast so far in Season 4 features terrific guests: Heber Brown III, Douglas Day Kaufman, David Celesky, and Judy Hinck. More to come!
refugianewsletter.substack.com

Refugia Podcast Episode 33 The Garden Became the Steeple: Heber Brown and the Black Food Security Network

Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...

Refugia Newsletter #102 Homegrown National Park, Sun Day fun, more good news about clean energy transition, church resilience hubs, and one super chill squirrel

Sun Day! This week's newsletter is a celebration of the clean energy transition that is happening, right now, despite... all the things.

refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

Season 4 dropping Sunday! Find the Refugia Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and listen to conversations about Christian communities doing great climate work! Or sign up for my Substack newsletter to get episodes sent directly to your email inbox: refugianewsletter.substack.com.

Refugia Newsletter #101 Game-changing energy transition advances, myth-busting resources, agrivoltaic-improved wool and grapes, a youthful celebration of the sun, and salute to the moon

Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

Wow! This is good news.

Grand Rapids adopts climate action plan The plan sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 62.8% per capita by the end of the decade, but doesn't come with any requirements yet.

Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...

Refugia Newsletter #99 Endangered endangerment, legal triumph, research on faith leadership, oysters, river parks, and a gigantic owl

Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...

It is endlessly hilarious to me that the 5 denier scientists they are able to dig up for this ... are the same 5 denier scientists they were able to dig up 10 years ago, and 20 years ago.

One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.

Please do not be fooled by the "report" coming out of the White House on how high levels of CO2 are actually fine and we all have nothing to worry about so we should keep burning fossil fuels. This report is bogus. See below.

Need Some Good News? Here's how the fight to Save Lives, Save EPA is gaining momentum

Really appreciate this good news about the fight against the insanity at the current EPA. Thanks to @jeremysymons.bsky.social.

Need Some Good News?
open.substack.com/pub/jeremysy...