Debra K Rienstra
@debrakrienstra.bsky.social
Author REFUGIA FAITH and refugianewsletter.substack, climate, ecotheology, Michigan, nature n stuff, Professor of English at Calvin U, she/her
Oh boy!!! We fans have been waiting YEARS for @jspencerfleming.bsky.social's new book!!!! Clear the calendar: I've got reading to do!
November 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Oh boy!!! We fans have been waiting YEARS for @jspencerfleming.bsky.social's new book!!!! Clear the calendar: I've got reading to do!
Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #106
COP30, subnational actors, biodiversity strategies, sea turtles, nuns and indigenous land return, thriving puffins and scuttling crabs
refugianewsletter.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
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...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Inside COP: The Power of Cities - from the Local Leaders Forum
Podcast Episode · Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast · 07/11/2025 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Reposted by Debra K Rienstra
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...
Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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...
Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 40
Kipuka to Kipuka: Islands of Life, Faith, and Restoration
refugianewsletter.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 38
So Much Joy: Linda Racine and Traverse City Presbyterian Church
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 37
Land as Primary Text for Healing Community: Elaine Heath and Spring Forest
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 36
True Woo: Pete Nunnally and Water and Wilderness Church
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
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
refugianewsletter.substack.com
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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
refugianewsletter.substack.com
Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 33
The Garden Became the Steeple: Heber Brown and the Black Food Security Network
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
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...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #102
Homegrown National Park, Sun Day fun, more good news about clean energy transition, church resilience hubs, and one super chill squirrel
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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...
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.
September 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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.
Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
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
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Wow! This is good news.
We have an announcement to make... www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/over_92000_c...
September 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Wow! This is good news.
Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
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.
www.michiganpublic.org
August 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #99
Endangered endangerment, legal triumph, research on faith leadership, oysters, river parks, and a gigantic owl
refugianewsletter.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Reposted by Debra K Rienstra
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.
One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.
July 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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.
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.
NEW: i spoke to nine (!) scientists across several disciplines whose work was cited in the new Department of Energy report that downplays the severity of climate change. all of them say their work was misrepresented, cherry picked, and/or lacked context —
Scientists Say New Government Climate Report Twists Their Work
A new Department of Energy report “fundamentally misrepresents” climate research and leaves out key context, multiple scientists cited in the report tell WIRED.
www.wired.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:26 PM
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.
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...
Need Some Good News?
open.substack.com/pub/jeremysy...
Need Some Good News?
Here's how the fight to Save Lives, Save EPA is gaining momentum
open.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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...
Need Some Good News?
open.substack.com/pub/jeremysy...
Just good news and beautiful photos this week: you need a break as much as I do.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #98
Good news only with a dose of ordinary wonders
refugianewsletter.substack.com
July 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Just good news and beautiful photos this week: you need a break as much as I do.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
"Without climate justice there is no peace, without ecological conversion there is no future, without listening to the people there are no real solutions."
Powerful document from the Catholic bishops of the global South ahead of COP 30.
www.raoen.org/2025/07/03/b...
Powerful document from the Catholic bishops of the global South ahead of COP 30.
www.raoen.org/2025/07/03/b...
Bishops from the Global South call for climate justice and the common home on the occasion of COP30 - River Above Asia and Oceania Ecclesial Network
Catholic episcopal conferences and councils of Africa (SECAM), Asia (FABC), Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM) published a document A Call for Climate Justice and the Common Home: Ecological conv...
www.raoen.org
July 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"Without climate justice there is no peace, without ecological conversion there is no future, without listening to the people there are no real solutions."
Powerful document from the Catholic bishops of the global South ahead of COP 30.
www.raoen.org/2025/07/03/b...
Powerful document from the Catholic bishops of the global South ahead of COP 30.
www.raoen.org/2025/07/03/b...
Besides the usual stuff, two great books, two great interviews, and a killer graph. Plenty of inspiring and clarifying goodies this time!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #96
Ocean conservation, women and climate action, epistemic anthropology, farm refugia, and climate art
refugianewsletter.substack.com
June 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Besides the usual stuff, two great books, two great interviews, and a killer graph. Plenty of inspiring and clarifying goodies this time!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
So excited to see this excellent interview with the fabulous Rev. Mariama White-Hammond on Juneteenth and environmental justice!
insideclimatenews.org/news/1906202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1906202...
Juneteenth and Its Role in Environmental Justice—for All - Inside Climate News
Why the Rev. Mariama White-Hammond believes Juneteenth and celebrating the end of slavery is a way to lead broader society to freedom from the destruction of the environment and climate change.
insideclimatenews.org
June 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM
So excited to see this excellent interview with the fabulous Rev. Mariama White-Hammond on Juneteenth and environmental justice!
insideclimatenews.org/news/1906202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1906202...
On Juneteenth especially, much gratitude for @greenthechurch.bsky.social, the Black Church Food Security Network, Soul Fire Farm, and so many other orgs fighting hard for climate justice and climate action.
blackchurchfoodsecurity.net
www.soulfirefarm.org
www.greenthechurch.org
blackchurchfoodsecurity.net
www.soulfirefarm.org
www.greenthechurch.org
Home
Green The Church is the premiere organization at the intersection of black faith and environmentalism.
www.greenthechurch.org
June 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On Juneteenth especially, much gratitude for @greenthechurch.bsky.social, the Black Church Food Security Network, Soul Fire Farm, and so many other orgs fighting hard for climate justice and climate action.
blackchurchfoodsecurity.net
www.soulfirefarm.org
www.greenthechurch.org
blackchurchfoodsecurity.net
www.soulfirefarm.org
www.greenthechurch.org
I'm reading "Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America" by sociologist Christian Smith (from Notre Dame). It is SO GOOD. I feel like it's explaining all the cultural upheavals I've seen from my parents' generation to my kids'. Essential reading for faith leaders, imo.
Is organized religion obsolete? ✝️ Sociologist Christian Smith says yes—and backs it with data. ⛪ Church decline isn’t just local, it’s cultural. What’s next for faith in America?🇺🇸
#Faith
#ChurchDecline
#FaithTrends
#Christianity
#GenZFaith
#SpiritualShift
#Patheos
✍️
www.patheos.com/blogs/closet...
#Faith
#ChurchDecline
#FaithTrends
#Christianity
#GenZFaith
#SpiritualShift
#Patheos
✍️
www.patheos.com/blogs/closet...
Sociologist Wonders If That Old-Time Religion Is Now Extinct
If church isn't the same experience as your parents, well...it isn't. People are leaving, but there's a book saying now that it doesn't matter at all.
www.patheos.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I'm reading "Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America" by sociologist Christian Smith (from Notre Dame). It is SO GOOD. I feel like it's explaining all the cultural upheavals I've seen from my parents' generation to my kids'. Essential reading for faith leaders, imo.