TREES ~ Theological Roundtable on Ecological Ethics and Spirituality

Past TREES Forums and Summaries

April 25, 2000
"Nonviolence towards the Earth" with John Cobb, Jr., Susan Griffin, and Anita Barrows (video recording may be checked out from the TREES office).

April 28, 2000
Roundtable conversation with Prof. John Cobb, Jr. of Claremeont School of Theology

October 20, 2000
Rosemary Radford Ruether: "Interreligious Sustainability Project of Metropolitan Chicago"

March 15, 2001
(TREES cosponsored w/ GTU & UCB Celtic Studies Program) "A Celtic Theology: The Dream, the Myth, and Some Questions for Academics" with Thomas O'Loughlin

April 16, 2001 - "Ecotheology: Uniting Earth, Spirit, and Justice" with Jim Conlon & Joanna Macy

February 20, 2001
Whitney Bauman: "The Ecological Self"

March 9, 2001
Dody Donnelly: The Ecology of The Great Work: Thomas Berry and the New Cosmology

March 20, 2001
Marti Kheel: "Women Animals and Nature: Eco-feminist Reflections"

April 6, 2001
Michael Warburton on the Public Trust Doctrine

May 4, 2001.
Kimberly Whitney: Place and Moral Imagination/s: An Inquiry into Sacred Place

May 15, 2001
Greg Zuschlag: "Environmental Stewardship and the Ecology of Genesis"

September 10, 2001
Rosemary Radford Reuther: "The Greening of Theological Education"

September 28, 2001
"Fair Trade Coffee" with Stefano Lancellotta (FST student) and Deborah Hirsch (TransFair USA)

October 8, 2001
WingIt! Performers: "Earth Wisdom, Body Wisdom"

October 17, 2001
Rosemary Radford Ruether and Carolyn Merchant: "Women, Religion, Science, and the Environment"

October 26, 2001
James A. Donahue: "Survey of Christian Environmental Ethics"

November 5, 2001
Craig Scott: "Thomas Starr Kings Writings on God and Nature"

November 27, 2001
"Green Studies, Religion, and Environmental Practice at the GTU and Beyond: A Research Project Conducted by the Theological Roundtable on Ecological Ethics and Spirituality"

November 30, 2001
Cecile Andrews: "Circle of Simplicity"

December 10, 2001
Sally Bingham: California Interfaith Power and Light
(aka Episcopal Power and Light)

February 15, 2002
Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim: World Religions and Ecology: A Report on the Harvard Conference Series

March 15, 2002
"Power, Environmental Racism, and our Public Lands: The Just Forest Initiative" with the Reverend Myrna Bernadel-Huey ("Public Lands: Sacred and Just") and Dr. Amahra Hicks (US Forest Service).

April 19, 2002
"Hot Air, Frankenfood, and McProfits: Moral Responses to Environmental Risks," a panel forum with K.C. Abraham (United Theological College, Bangalore), Carol Robb (San Francisco Theological Seminary), and Keith Warner (Department of Geography, UC Santa Cruz).

October 1, 2002
Laura Wells, cadidate for State Controller, "Democracy, Spirituality, and the Green Party."

September 18, 2002
Dr. Inez Fung, UC Berkeley, "The Human Impacts on Global Climate Change." This is the first of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Global Climate Change."

October 16 , 2002
Dr. Carol Robb, San Francisco Theological Seminary, "Ethical Responses to Global Warming." This is the second of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Global Climate Change."

November 4 , 2002
Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker, Bucknell University, "Religious Responses to Global Warming." This is the third of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Global Climate Change."

December 3 , 2002
Dr. Dudley Burton, UC Sacramento, "Local Impacts of Global Climate Change." This is the fourth of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Global Climate Change."

February 18, 2003
Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether, "Population and Consumption: Religious, Scientific, and Economic Issues." This is the first of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Population and Consumption."

March 13 , 2003
Dr. Larry Rasmussen, Union Theological Seminary, "Ethical Issues surrounding Population and Consumption." This is the second of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Population and Consumption."

April 10, 2003
Jim Cramer, UC Davis; Michel Gelobter, Redefining Progress; and Helen Roland, Cal State University, Sacramento present on "Population, Consumption, and Public Policy." This is the third of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Population and Consumption."

May 5, 2003
Loise Fortmann presents on "Population and Consumption: Science and future steps." This is the fourth of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Population and Consumption."

June 14, 2003
Using fellowship funds granted by The Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) to organize a one-day conference on science, religion, and ethics, Professor Rosemary Radford-Ruether of the Graduate Theological Union and Professor Carolyn Merchant of the University of California, Berkeley in conjunction with TREES, facilitated a one-day conference with keynote address by Carol Christ, whose latest work is titled: "She Who Changes: Re-imagining the Divine in the World." Click on the icon below for full details:

September 23, 2003
Evening lecture with Dr. Peter Rossett, co-director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, who will present the opening lecture of a four part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Land and Agriculture" in the GTU Dinner Board Room (2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley).

October 16, 2003
Part II of "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Land and Agriculture": An Evening panel discussion on "Faith, Land, and Agriculture" with Dr. Marvin Cheney (San Francisco Theological Seminary), Dr. Naomi Seidman (Center for Jewish Studies), and Dr. Lisa Fullum (JSTB). GTU Dinner Board Room (2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley).

November 13, 2003
Part III of "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Land and Agriculture": An Evening lecture with Judith Redmond, co-owner of Full Belly Farm, "Food: From Ground to Table" in the GTU Dinner Board Room (2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley).

December 2, 2003
Part IV of "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Land and Agriculture": An Evening lecture with Dr. Andrew Gutierrez, Professor of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, UC Berkeley, "The Science Behind Genetically Engineered Plants" in the GTU Dinner Board Room (2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley).

February 9, 2004
Tu Bishv'at Seder. Celebrate the Jewish New Year of the Trees according to the rites of the Kabbalah. Enjoy fruits and wine, and the sweetness of blessings below and above! Rabbi David Seidenberg, Jewish eco-theologian, lead this journey through the "four worlds." This event was co-sponsored with the Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union.

February 10, 2004
"A History of the Environmental Justice Movement"
Juliet Ellis, Executive Director of Urban Habitat
The first forum of a four-part series on "Topics in Ecology, Theology, and Ethics: Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice."

March 10, 2004
"Faith and Environmental Injustice"
A GTU Faculty Panel Discussion
The second of our four-forum series on "Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice," a faculty panel with Randi Walker (Pacific School of Religion) and Ibrahim Farajaje (Starr King School for the Ministry).

April 7, 2004
"The Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, Aboriginal Rights, and a Livable Future for All" with Alaskan Episcopal Bishop Mark MacDonald. A forum with the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Alaska as he discusses issues of environmental justice, energy, and human rights within his diocese. This event is cosponsored with California Interfaith Power and Light.

April 17, 2004
"Caring for Creation: Joyful Living as God Calls Us"
A day long ecumenical conference (cosponsored by TREES). Workshop topics will included: "Cancer and the Environment," "Food, Faith, and Social Responsibility," and "How to Conserve Energy in Your Congregation." Speakers included Dr. Carol Johnston and Dr. Carol Robb. For more information visit: www.angelfire.com/art2/caring4creation.

April 20, 2004
"Eco-Feminism and Environmental Racism"
Dr. Val Plumwood, Australian National University
The third of our four-part forum series explored what eco-feminism has to say about environmental racism. Val Plumwood is an Australian feminist philosopher of the environment. This event was cosponsored with the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Department at UC Berkeley.

May 5, 2004
"Environmental Policy and Environmental Injustice"
Dr. Dara O'Rourke, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, UC Berkeley
This was the final of our four-part forum series on Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice, and Dr. O'Rourke covered the scientific studies into "Environmental Racism" and the implications that public policies have on Evnironmental Injustice.

September 21, 2004
"Environmental Dominion and the Ecology of Genesis"
Greg Zuschlag, Ph.D. Candidate at the Graduate Theological Union discuss just how "green" (or not) the biblical understanding of the human beings is.

October 11, 2004
"The Human Person: Beyond the Nature-Culture Divide"
Niels Henrik Gregersen, (Professor of Theology, University of Copenhagen) discussed the "Nature-Culture" divide vis. a vis. Scientific and religious understandings of what it means to be a human being, with special reference to the work of Danish Philosopher, Knud E. Logstrup.

November 9, 2004
"The Implications of Eco-Justice for a Theological Anthropology"
Reverend Peter Sawtell, Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, discussed the implications for human responsibility and agency of his work with religious communities surrounding issues of environmental justice.

December 1, 2004
A Forum celebrating the publication of Rosemary Radford Ruether's book, Integrating Ecofeminism, Globalization, and World Religions (Rowman and Littlefield, December 2004). Presentations on the book were given by Carolyn Merchant (UC Berkeley), Mary Evelyn Tucker (Bucknell University), and Rosemary Radford Ruether (Graduate Theological Union and Pacific School of Religion).

December 7, 2004
"Empire Earth, and the Postcolonial Self"
Dr. Mai-Anh Tran, (Instructor in Youth Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion and Director of the PANA Institute Represent to Witness Youth Leadership Project) explored the implications of postcolonial understandings of the self for human-earth relations.

Thursday, February 3, 2005
"An Overview of World Religions and Ecology
with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim"
Drs. Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, co-directors of the Forum on Religion and Ecology and co-editors of the "World Religion and Ecology" book series gave an overview of the project and offer constructive proposals for future studies in religion and ecology.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005
"Christianity, Islam, and Ecology"
Rosemary Radford Ruether, professor of theology at the Pacific School of Religion, is a pioneer in the field of eco-feminist theology. Ruether was involved with the Center for the Study of World Religions conference and Book series on Christianity and Ecology. Ibrahim Farajaje is the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, and Professor of Cultural Studies and Islamic Studies at Starr King School for the Ministry and is also on the Islamic Studies Task Force at the Graduate Theological Union.

Tuesday, March 8, 2005
"Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto & Ecology with Judith Berling and John Grim"
The third of a series on "World Religions and Ecology," with Drs. Mary Evelyn Tucker and Judith Berling. This event focused on the relationship between Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto and Ecology.

Monday, April 4, 2005
"Buddhism, Hinduism, and Ecology" with Vijaya Nagarajan
This was the fourth in our spring 2005 series on "World Religions and Ecology." Vijaya Nagarajan is an associate professor of South Asian religions at the University of San Francisco. Her book entitled "Drawing Down Desires: Women, Ritual and Art in Southern India" is scheduled to be released next spring.She contributed to the Center for the Study of World Religions forum series on "World Religions and Ecology." This forum will explored the intersection of these faith traditions and ecology.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005
"Indigenous Traditions and Ecology" with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
This was the final forum of our spring 2005 series exploring the "World Religions and Ecology" book series by Harvard University Press. This forum explored implications of many of the different indigenous traditions for human-earth relationships. Drs. Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim were the organizers of the conference series and co-editors of the book series that came from the conferences.

Monday, May 2 , 2005
"Human Exceptionalism in the Western Tradition" with Anna Peterson
Anna Peterson, Professor of Religion at the University of Florida, Gainsville, discussed the problem of Human Exceptionalism in the Christian West. Dr. Peterson has published a number of articles on environmental ethics, as well as a book, Being Human: Ethics, Environment, and Our Place in the World (University of California Press, 2001). Her forthcoming book, Residence on Earth: Religion, Nature, and Utopian Community in the Americas, explores the ways that religious ethics are embodied, articulated, and transformed in agrarian communities in Latin America and the United States.

October 6, 2005; 7:00-8:30pm
The Reverend Marta Benavides is an activist working in community in her homeland of El Salvador. Her strategy is to work locally, to work on national public policy, and to work internationally simultaneously. Through funds from the Circle of Love Project, the El Salvador Friendship Fund she assists people in living ecologically in her home town of Nahuizalco. She lives in an "Ecological House" which showcases low-income possibilities for improvements and sustainable practices. The ecological house also serves as a sewing cooperative. She also hosts a Sunday gathering of "Indigenous Grandmothers" who come from miles around to talk about community issues. She is co-founder of the International Institute for Cooperation Amongst Peoples (IICP) in El Salvador. I hope you will join us as Marta discusses her important work in El Salvador.

December 8 , 2005; 7:00-8:30pm
Is Environmentalism Dead? What does it mean to talk about an environmental movement in an era of globalization and increased awareness of our inter-relatedness with the rest of the natural world? Can �environmental� and �social justice� issues be separated? What role do religions have to play in �saving the planet�? This panel discussion featued the authors of �The Death of Environmentalism,� Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus and respondents Mary Evelyn Tucker (Forum on World Religions and Ecology) and Richard Norgaard (Professor of Energy and Resources Group and Agriculture and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley). �The Death of Environmentalism� and a response from the Environmental Justice Community entitled "The Soul of the Environmental Movement" can be downloaded in PDF format. This panel was part of the wider discussion that is taking place within the pages of these two documents.

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For more information, please contact:
TREES at the GTU
2400 Ridge Road / Berkeley CA 94709
Phone: 510-848-0528, ext. 1316
Fax:510-845-8948
Email: trees@gtu.edu

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