OIPL_logoFaith-Based Resources for Alternative Transportation

Oregon Interfaith Power and Light (OIPL), one of the partners helping to organize Moving Planet Portland, is encouraging congregations and other community groups to get involved in the Moving Planet grassroots change by learning about climate change and embracing low-carbon transportation, particularly with a "Take Alternative Transportation to Worship Weekend" event September 23-25. OIPL is a project of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

Many religious communities around the world are working to reduce their carbon footprint, and are becoming a wellspring of resources for those who want to follow their example. Here we have a collection of stories, toolkits, and theologies to inspire you and your own community of faith to grow in this same way. If you have any further suggestions to add to our resource list, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OIPL head Jenny Holmes. If you plan to have an alternative transportation event, please sign up here so we can help you and follow up! And here is a flyer template to get you started.

Examples of faith-based use of alternative transportation

  • Members from Virginia Mennonite churches biked from Virginia to Paraguay for the Mennonite World Conference in July 2009, to promote the reduction of natural resource consumption and raise money so youth from the Global South to visit the conference. Read More

  • Muslim environmentalists are working to make Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, more sustainable.  Saudi Arabia is pursuing some initiatives to green the area around Mecca, and several individuals have also made notable efforts, including two South Africans who completed the journey by bicycle. Read More

  • Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Minneapolis, Minnesota held a “Bike, Walk, or Carpool to Church Day,” which included festivities and a “Blessing of Bicycles and Other Wheeled Things.” Read More

Faith-based justifications for switching to alternative transportation

  • Earth Ministry, in Seattle, collected statements from fifteen different Christian denominations: Read More

  • The Big Green Jewish Website compiled a list of links to many Jewish resources on the link between Judaism and the environment: Read More

  • The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environment Sciences’ “Muslim Green Guide to Reducing Climate Change” presents climate change and energy use reduction in a Muslim context. Read More

  • Ecobuddhism.org presents the problems and solutions of climate change in a Buddhist context, with extensive news articles, editorials, wisdom teachings, and prayers. Read More

  • A group of prominent Hindu leaders put together a faith statement on climate change. Read More

Resource toolkits by faith tradition

Christian

  • National Council of Churches of Christ’s Eco-Justice Programs site gives ideas for how to encourage carpooling and biking to church, as well as a few stories of congregations who have done this successfully. Read More

  • The Racine Green Congregations of Racine, Wisconsin give Christian rationales for green transportation, especially to and from church, and suggest how to orchestrate a church-wide “transportation month.” Read More

Jewish

  • Hazon is an organization based in New York City that aims to “create healthy and sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond.” They have extensive Jewish-specific sustainability resources, and have a special emphasis on biking as a means of raising awareness of environmental issues.  Read More

  • The Big Green Jewish Website is a UK-based site that seeks to connect Judaism to the environment and provide resources for Jews to live more sustainably. Their information on public transport is specific to London, but they also have resources and information for fuel-efficient cars, bicycling, and walking. Read More

Muslim

  • Green Muslims in the District, a network of sustainability-minded Muslims in the Washington, D.C. area, provides general tips for taking alternative transportation and Muslim inspiration for doing so. Read More

  • The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, a UK-based nonprofit, published a handbook that presents climate change and suggests lifestyle changes, including using alternative transportation, in a Muslim-specific context. Read More

Unitarian Universalist

  • The Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth is an organization that supports UU efforts on a personal and congregational level to work for "environmental justice, spiritual renewal, and shared reverence for our Earth home." Read More

Indigenous

  • The Indigenous Environmental Network is a network of indigenous peoples that aims to "build the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities." Read More

Interfaith

  • The Regeneration Project, the parent organization of the Interfaith Power and Light campaign, is an interfaith ministry devoted to deepening the connection between ecology and faith through educational programs for clergy and congregations. Read More

  • Interfaith Power and Light is a campaign of the Regeneration Project (above), which focuses on bringing together religious calls to care of creation and environmentalism, focusing on tangible changes in behavior and public policy. Read More

  • The Renewal Project films religious environmental efforts around the globe and produces short documentary films to spread awareness. Read More

  • GreenFaith works to mobilize people of diverse religions backgrounds to be environmental leaders. Read More

Resources specific to Portland

  • Find schedules for and plan trips on the Portland metro area bus system, the MAX, and the Portland streetcar here.

  • The Portland Bureau of Transportation provides citywide and neighborhood bike maps. This includes a citywide commuter map. Read More

  • The Oregon Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program page provides information on bike laws and regulations, bike maps, safety tips, and Oregon’s long-term bicycle and pedestrian plan. Read More

Additional related resources

  • 350.org has a page dedicated to faith-based resources and information about what religious communities have contributed to the 350 movement. Read More

  • St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish in SW Portland is home to the world’s first bicycle shrine. The Madonna del Ghisallo shrine, named after the patron saint of bicyclists and other vulnerable travelers, serves as a place to offer prayers, meditations, and remembrances. Read More

  • Walk+Bike is an Oregon program coordinated by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance to encourage children and families to use active alternative transportation in their communities. They have an annual Walk+Bike to School month and day. Their website features many resources for parents and teachers in promoting safe walking and biking. Read More

  • “Growing a Green Church” is a document from EarthMinistry.org that includes church sustainability assessments and tips for greening the church. Read More

  • The Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program presents “Cool Planning: A Handbook on Local Strategies to Slow Climate Change,” a document that provides a more top-down, urban planning-oriented approach to battling climate change. It includes information on designing and implementing means of alternative transportation. Read the Handbook