The science of climate change has been clearly established for decades. We are seeing the impacts now with worse to come. Yet, as Ian Paul's recent blog demonstrates, scepticism persists. Martin Hodson challenges the sceptics & finds encouragement in the rise of renewables jri.org.uk/climate-chan...

Climate change. Tackling scepticism in 2026.

Met Office announcement of UK's hottest day in 2022 As a scientist, I am always trying to use the most reliable sources of information for my work. So that means papers in peer-reviewed journals, ...

jri.org.uk

jri.org.uk/exhibition-r... Shelly Dennison reviews two very different exhibitions in Oxford that explore environmental issues: The Bodleian's Wonder of Birds & Climate, Culture, Care (part of the Ashmolean's NOW exhibition). Have a read and maybe plan your own visit...

Exhibition reviews: science, art and environmental storytelling

Bodleian Library - Ben Elliot - Unsplash One of the challenges facing people wanting to communicate climate and environmental stories is how to reach outside the usual circles, one way of doing thi...

jri.org.uk

What kind of legacy will you leave? A new blog shows that 1kg of CO2 that stays in the atmosphere from our activity has a warming effect of 1 watt. This enables us to visualise the ongoing heating effect of each of our lives. The post ends with a radical call to action. jri.org.uk/my-legacy/

My Legacy

Earth with clouds above the African Continent - NASA - Unsplash What would you like to be remembered for?  What legacy will you leave after perhaps 80 years living on this planet? There is on...

jri.org.uk

Join the team! We’re recruiting for three key roles to support the Christian Rural and Environmental Studies distance learning course. 1. Principal Tutor 2. Conference Organiser 3. Administrator Find out more, including full details of how to apply, on our website. cres.org.uk/join-the-cre...

There's still time to book your free place for our next Webinar. Join us Tuesday 19th May to hear Hannah Gray speak on Nature Based Solutions for a Water Secure Future. Hannah is programme Manager for Nature-based Solutions with Water Resources East. jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Webinar: Living Waters

Nature Based Solutions for a Water-Secure Future Hannah Gray Hannah is programme Manager for Nature-based Solutions with Water Resources East and formerly of Water Aid (some of you may remem...

jri.org.uk

What can your church do to speed up the green transition. Just over two weeks to our 13th April webinar with Shilpita Matthews of Operation Noah. Sign up below for your free ticket: NB: On the sign up page click + to add a ticket, then click "get tickets." jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Green Church Investments

Faith-based sustainable financing: How can churches best use both their assets and influence to accelerate the green transition? Webinar with Shilpita Matthews Shilpita is an environmental ec...

jri.org.uk

Check out my review of Here Comes the Sun, by Bill McKibben. He argues we're on the cusp of a renewable revolution which represents a last chance for the climate and a fresh chance for civilization. It's a great read, balancing hope, realism and a strong call to action. jri.org.uk/james-watter...

James Watterson reviews "Here Comes the Sun" by Bill McKibben

“Here comes the Sun” by veteran journalist and climate activist Bill McKibben was our February JRI book club read. Whilst this review reflects primarily my own opinions, I will at times mention the th...

jri.org.uk

Problems signing up? We've noticed quite a few people visiting our page to sign up for this important webinar but not getting their free ticket. The way to do it is first click on the + to add your free ticket, then click on "Get tickets" We wouldn't want you to miss out! jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Green Church Investments

Faith-based sustainable financing: How can churches best use both their assets and influence to accelerate the green transition? Webinar with Shilpita Matthews Shilpita is an environmental ec...

jri.org.uk

Do you buy too much stuff? Would the planet be better off if you bought less and bought local? Check out Nick Butler's review of Sunday Times bestseller: "Less" by Patrick Grant to find out more & check the replies for more more ideas on simpler, more sustainable living. jri.org.uk/nick-butler-...

Nick Butler reviews "Less" by Patrick Grant

Like most people I knew of Patrick Grant from The Great British Sewing Bee and an episode of Desert Island Discs, but it was hearing him speak at the 2025 Greenbelt Festival which convinced me to buy ...

jri.org.uk

I had a fascinating few weeks at the start of the year digging into the latest research on what makes for effective climate communication. The resulting briefing paper has now been published by @johnrayinitiative.bsky.social. Find out more here: shellydennison.co.uk/2026/02/16/a...

Approaches to climate communication – a briefing paper for JRI

The paper looks at recent research on effective communication on social issues, and at climate change in particular.

shellydennison.co.uk

Join us on 13th April for this important webinar with Shilpita Mathews of @operationnoah.bsky.social Shilpita will talk about how churches can use their assets and their influence to accelerate the green transition. Come along and find out what your church can do. jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Green Church Investments

Faith-based sustainable financing: How can churches best use both their assets and influence to accelerate the green transition? Webinar with Shilpita Matthews Shilpita is an environmental ec...

jri.org.uk

Caring for Creation in the Solomon Islands - JRI webinar with Rev'd Rich Clarkson Thursday 12th March 7.30pm. Have you booked your place yet? jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Revd Rich Clarkson - Caring for Creation in Solomon Islands

Webinar held on Zoom Thursday 12th March: Rev’d Rich Clarkson will be talking about his recent trip to the Solomon Islands on behalf of his diocese. The webinar will focus on what he saw ...

jri.org.uk

We have a fantastic new briefing paper from @dennisonshelly.bsky.social looking at recent research in communicating on social issues and climate change in particular. It's accessible & immensely practical, it will be invaluable for anyone communicating on the climate crisis. jri.org.uk/briefings/

Briefing Papers

JRI Briefing Papers are available as a free download. We believe they represent a high quality resource for Christians engaging with the science &/or theology of environmental stewardship. We do not c...

jri.org.uk

A rock concert, a tattered jacket and a more sustainable way to shop. Check out our latest blog from rock fan and pre-loved fashion newbie James Watterson. jri.org.uk/a-tattered-j...

A rock concert a tattered jacket and a more sustainable to shop

Credit: Spencer Davis - Unsplash It was near midnight on a Northern Line train out of Manchester Picadilly when I first dipped my toe into the world of pre-loved fashion. Manchester Arena had just ...

jri.org.uk

Webinar: Treading Softly: 7.30pm Tues 13th Jan with Major Heather Poxon of the Salvation Army. Heather's experience of work in Rwanda and the DRC has given her insight into the causes, and devastating effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. jri.org.uk/.../treading...

How do we communicate climate change effectively? Are different approaches better for different groups of people? Check out our new blog on "Britain Talks Climate and Nature 2025", a resource to help those working on environmental issues communicate more effectively. jri.org.uk/telling-a-be...

Telling a better climate story

Photo by Tobias - Unsplash How we talk about climate and nature matters. Taking the a familiar message and framing it differently can make a huge difference to how it is received. Finding ways to t...

jri.org.uk

Just one week to go to our webinar "Divine Windows" with Dr Dave Gregory - sign up below (you need to add a free ticket to the cart before hitting get tickets). jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Divine Windows - Webinar with Dr Dave Gregory

In recent years advances in high definition filming and photography have enabled science and nature documentaries (think of Brian Cox and David Attenborough) to bring truly stunning imagery into our h...

jri.org.uk

Check out our new blog from Rev Rich Clarkson. Rich is in the Solomon Islands learning about the impact of climate change and what the Anglican Church are doing in response - read on to find out about Green Disciples and the inspiring work that is happening. jri.org.uk/caring-for-c...

Caring for Creation in the Solomon Islands.

Catechist George and Freda Fataka at Red Beach I am currently in the Solomon Islands, where I have been spending a fortnight visiting the Anglican Church of Melanesia on behalf of my own Diocese of...

jri.org.uk

Our next JRI book club is on Monday 8th September looking at Abi Dare's Climate Fiction prize winner "And so I roar." That book and three more are covered in this climate fiction round up. time to start planning your summer reading. jri.org.uk/climate-fict...

Climate fiction round-up

Shelly Dennison rounds up four more climate fiction reads: As regular readers will know, this year I’ve been exploring the Climate Fiction Prize Longlist which has been introducing me to new autho...

jri.org.uk

Just over a week to go to our next webinar (June 26th). This promises to be a great talk and discussion. We already have a lot of sign-ups but it's not too late to join us. Follow this link here for your free place. jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Replacement or Renewal of creation? It’s not the end of the world!

Webinar with Dr Grace Milton Sadly, for some Christians their eschatology creates a barrier to any interest in caring for this world, but it does not have to be this way. This promises to be a fa...

jri.org.uk

Check out our latest blog post as Rev'd Rich Clarkson reflects on our place in a big and ancient world. jri.org.uk/ancient-hills/

Ancient Hills

Standing stone Clent Hills - photo credit Rich Clarkson As I write this I am sat in the woods on top of Clent Hills. Just behind me are four standing stones – whether they are ancient or not I do ...

jri.org.uk

Keep up to date with all the latest JRI and CRES course news by signing up to our newsletter: bit.ly/JRINews You can also check out the June newsletter with information on our exciting webinar with Dr Grace Milton on eschatology and environmental care here: jri.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Now is a good time to consider registering for CRES (Christian Rural and Environmental Studies). This distance learning course is jointly run by JRI and A Rocha UK. Check out our Admissions page for details. cres.org.uk/cres-admissi...

My latest book review for @johnrayinitiative.bsky.social is The Cuckoo Calls The Year by Pete Stroh. It's a lovely read and a real call to get to know the nature on your doorstep. jri.org.uk/book-review-... #NatureWriting

Check out a new book review from @dennisonshelly.bsky.social In this immensely engaging book, professional botanist Pete Stroh introduces us to the nature and landscapes on his doorstep in rural Northamptonshire .https://jri.org.uk/book-review-the-cuckoo-calls-the-year-by-pete-stroh/

Book review – The Cuckoo Calls the Year by Pete Stroh

The Cuckoo Calls the Year front cover In this immensely engaging book, professional botanist Pete Stroh introduces us to the nature and landscapes on his doorstep. The premise is a straightforward ...

jri.org.uk

For 20 years, I have been Principal Tutor for CRES (Christian Rural and Environmental Studies). Now is a good time to consider registering for this distance learning course that is jointly run by JRI @johnrayinitiative.bsky.social‬ and A Rocha UK. 1/2

Our next JRI book club read is the winner of the Climate Fiction Prize - Abi Daré's "And so I Roar." We'll meet in September to share our thoughts. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Sign up for our newsletter for updates on JRI meetings like webinars and the book club: bit.ly/4iGkklf

Wolverhampton graduate, Abi Daré, wins first Climate Fiction Prize

Author Abi Daré has been awarded the £10,000 prize for her second novel, And So I Roar.

bbc.co.uk

There's still time to sign up - this promises to be a great day.

The John Ray Initiative@johnrayinitiative.bsky.social · last yr.

Caring for Creation: From Passion to Action- CRES Day 24th May 2025. Our next CRES day is on Sat 24 May (10 to 4) at Ripon College Cuddesdon nr Oxford. Speakers Rev Dr Mike Perry (A Rocha UK) & Dr Elizabeth Perry (Programmes Director for the Anglican Alliance). Details: cres.org.uk/caring-for-c...

Caring for Creation: From Passion to Action- CRES Day 24th May 2025. Our next CRES day is on Sat 24 May (10 to 4) at Ripon College Cuddesdon nr Oxford. Speakers Rev Dr Mike Perry (A Rocha UK) & Dr Elizabeth Perry (Programmes Director for the Anglican Alliance). Details: cres.org.uk/caring-for-c...

It's nearly time for our next JRI newsletter with blogs, updates on our work and upcoming events including webinars and book clubs. You can sign up to receive our updates here: bit.ly/JRINews or read our April Newsletter here: jri.org.uk/wp-content/u...