Books, Articles and Opinion
On this page we are collecting material for anyone who might want to explore further or go more deeply into the demanding work of opening ourselves to environmental breakdown. Some of the material will be academic, some of it more popular. If you would like to recommend an item for us to consider adding, please do so via our contact page.
On this page you will find:
Cloud and Fire Background Reading
Cloud and Fire Background Reading
The items below are suggested as further background reading for those who have signed up to a “Cloud and Fire” programme, but they are also useful to gain an idea of the wide range of perspectives on responses to climate anxiety, both in Christian and non-Christian contexts.
Don’t feel you have to read (or view) any or all of these beforehand. You may want to look at one or two beforehand and some others during the Cloud & Fire journey. Alternatively, of course, you may like to look at them afterwards. All of these and many more articles relevant to Cloud & Fire are also posted on the Borrowed Time Facebook page.
Modes of environmental identity: https://mjkimball.medium.com/are-you-a-climate-warrior-or-a-climate-weaver-because-we-need-both-2b1eb88bb07d
It is courage we need, not hope https://onbeing.org/blog/kate-marvel-we-need-courage-not-hope-to-face-climate-change/
Eco-grief and eco-grieving: https://theunderstory.substack.com/p/permission-to-grieve
Testimonies
The limits of scientific detachment: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/15/the-great-unravelling-i-never-thought-id-live-to-see-the-horror-of-planetary-collapse
The loss of a future: https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/23/facing-climate-emergency-grieving-future-you-thought-you-had
Should I have children? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/parenting/climate-change-having-kids.html
Faith and reality
Insight of faiths for the ultimate questions: https://www.climateandmind.org/climate-spirituality-faith
The Christian is not there to explain: https://time.com/5808495/coronavirus-christianity/
The difficult gift of repentance: https://vickirobin.com/repent-another-world-is-possible/
Anchors for pastoral practice: https://www.climatesunday.org/post/ministering-in-the-anthropocene-anchors-for-pastoral-practice
And video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKagREIETCs
Dr Panu Pikhala of the University of Helsinki is a leading researcher on eco-anxiety: how it should be characterised, and how we might constructively respond to it. He has an especial but not exclusive interest in the spiritual dimensions of eco-anxiety. His article on “Eco-Anxiety and Pastoral Care: Theoretical Considerations and Practical Suggestions” published in February 2022 is especially recommended. Read it here.