As part of the ongoing Healing Earth Interfaith Webinar Series, URI Europe, in partnership with Gathering for Earth, recently hosted an inspiring and thought-provoking webinar titled:

“Hope for Creation – Communication, Nature & Us”

The session featured Canon Dr. Charlotte Banister-Parker from Oxford Three Faiths Encounter CC, Hope4Creation, and the Oxford Council of Faiths, who shared reflections and practical tools for inspiring meaningful eco-action through connection, community, spirituality, and behavioral change.

The webinar brought together participants from diverse faiths, regions, and backgrounds to explore how we can move from climate anxiety and overwhelm toward hope, agency, and collective action for the Earth.

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Moving Beyond Facts Toward Action

During the presentation, Charlotte highlighted a key challenge in climate communication:

Facts alone rarely inspire lasting action.

Drawing on neuroscientific research and behavioral design principles developed through the work of Hope for Creation and advisor Dr. Christa Mao, she explained that meaningful change happens when people:

feel emotionally connected,
experience agency,
and are supported through achievable actions and positive reinforcement.

Rather than overwhelming people with fear or guilt, Charlotte emphasized the importance of:

hope,
authenticity,
community,
and practical, accessible steps.

Participants explored how small actions can gradually lead to deeper engagement and wider transformation.

Eco-Conversion and “Earth Ubuntu”

A central theme of the webinar was Pope Francis’ concept of “eco-conversion” — a transformation in how people relate to the Earth, to one another, and to creation itself.

Charlotte also introduced the powerful idea of “Earth Ubuntu”, expanding the African philosophy of interconnectedness to include the natural world.

“We are because the Earth is.”

This perspective encourages people to move beyond seeing nature as separate from humanity and instead recognize that human wellbeing is inseparable from the wellbeing of the Earth.

The discussion invited participants to reflect on:

interdependence,
ecological responsibility,
spirituality and nature,
and the importance of rebuilding relationships with the living world.

Practical Tools for Eco-Action

The webinar also focused on practical and accessible ways individuals and communities can engage in environmental action.

Charlotte shared examples from Hope for Creation’s work, including:

eco-pilgrimages,
community dialogue,
radical hospitality,
lamentation practices,
and “Hope Walks” — reflective walks designed to reconnect people with nature and inspire mindful action.

Participants were encouraged to begin with small, realistic actions that build confidence and momentum over time.

The conversation emphasized that:

meaningful change does not always begin with large-scale solutions,
but often with small acts of care, connection, and consistency.

Rich Global Discussion

The webinar sparked a vibrant discussion among participants from different parts of the world.

Questions and reflections touched on:

balancing climate responsibility while traveling for work,
indigenous tree planting initiatives in Nigeria,
corporate responsibility,
environmental impacts of war and conflict,
and the role of spirituality in responding to ecological crises.

Participants also shared local experiences and practices from their own communities, highlighting the importance of intercultural and interfaith exchange in environmental work.

James shared insights from indigenous tree planting efforts in Nigeria, while others reflected on environmental degradation in conflict-affected regions and the emotional toll of climate anxiety.

Nature, Reverence, and Spiritual Practice

The webinar concluded with additional contributions from Lauren, who shared practical nature-based resources and spiritual tools, including:

reverence walks,
contemplative practices,
and ecological reflection methods designed to deepen connection with the Earth.

Participants were invited to explore how spiritual traditions can help cultivate:

presence,
gratitude,
reverence,
and ecological awareness.

The session closed with moving blessings and reflections offered by Deepak and Morgana, creating a grounded and hopeful ending to the gathering.

UK National Emergency Briefing: https://www.nebriefing.org/
Website of Kris de Meyer: https://www.krisdemeyer.com
Literature: BJ FOGG - Tiny Habits (- also available via TEDx Talks )
Instructions for Terra Divina: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1drvf3qvxGTJsCY9Dzs1NZfJ3tLygauYY/view?usp=sharing
Facilitation Guide for Walk with Reverence: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10KPZ1Z82os6CkaRMXaawfh9G8rX_BnUN/view?usp=sharing
Faith Action Tree Growing Guide from WWF: https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_trillion_trees____tree_growing_for_conservation_and_ecosystem_restoration_guide_d.pdf
Restor - a global hub for tree growing and planting that includes some access to seed funding: Restor
Faith Voices for Ecocide Law: https://www.stopecocide.earth/faith-voices
Campaign against bottled water /against plastic, becoming a blue community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ1wmL87Ugk

Continuing the Healing Earth Journey

The Healing Earth Interfaith Webinar Series continues to create spaces for dialogue, reflection, learning, and collective action across faiths and communities.

These monthly gatherings explore themes including:

ecological justice,
spirituality and climate action,
interfaith collaboration,
healing and resilience,
and practical approaches to caring for the Earth.

We warmly thank Canon Dr. Charlotte Bannister-Parker and all participants for their valuable contributions, reflections, and shared commitment to environmental healing and collective hope.

Webinar recording available on URIE YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/ZXVjgsqr6eI

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