Rugare, Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at Willowdale, talks to Kim Stemshorn, Senior Environmental Planner for the Environment, Climate, & Forestry Division for the city of Toronto. Check out their video above.
Ever wondered why Toronto experienced 73.4 cm of snowfall this February (2025)—nearly three times the average—could this be a clear indicator of climate change’s impact on extreme weather patterns?”
The Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department brings to you a special edition.
Public Affairs under the themes of Stewardship of the environment and community engagement within the city of Toronto.
Talking Climate Action and Transform-TO with the Environment, Climate & Forestry Division.
A talk with Kim Stemshorn (she/her), a Senior Environmental Planner, Policy & Research at the City of Toronto’s office of Environment, Climate and Forestry.
The presentation address aspects of various activities at our church on how to further work with the community in preserving the environment in respect to climate change and liveability in the city of Toronto.
Various subjects are discussed amongst them construction (renovations), volunteer initiatives (for young and old), waste management and gardening.
Please consider the texts below as themes from this talk;
Genesis 1:26 New King James Version Dominion as harmony
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Hebrews 12:14 New King James Version Community and Mission
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Romans 13:1 New King James Version Civic Duty
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God;
As a movement that celebrates God’s creation weekly and awaits the soon coming of Jesus (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8; Rev 1:7,11:18). The department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty hopes that the presentation will help locate the intersection between faith, preservation of the environment, love for humanity and legal compliance.
Also consider then following quotation from the book the ‘Desire of Ages’
Now sin has marred God’s perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Even now all created things declare the glory of His excellence. There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself. No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing to the world. The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring forth and bud. DA 20.2
EGW Writings:
https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.27&index=0
Ellen Gould White, The Desire of Ages, (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 20., https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.27&index=0