Faith communities play a vital role in helping their congregants and neighbors prepare for and respond to climate disasters by serving as faith-based Resilience Hubs. Join this workshop to learn how your congregation can provide essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and spiritual support in times of emergency. Participants will also explore ways to build long-term resilience through community engagement, education, and training. This workshop will be led by Beth Remmes, GIPL’s Coastal Outreach and Resilience Coordinator.

LOCATION: Room 303

This workshop invites you to explore how your faith community can support thriving ecosystems with native plants and pollinators. Participants will learn about GIPL’s ReWilding program and gain practical tools for supporting pollinators and incorporating native plants into congregational landscapes.  Led by Ashley Desensi of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and Meagan Williams, GIPL Program Coordinator, this session will provide actionable steps for creating habitats that honor Sacred Earth.

LOCATION: Room 306

Building resilience and strengthening our ability to respond to challenges is essential in unpredictable times. Join this workshop as we explore ways to navigate emotions, regulate nervous system responses, and expand our capacity for aliveness—allowing us to remain steady, grounded, and nourished as we seed our collective future. This workshop is led by Janna Diamond, a somatic therapy practitioner and founder of Evolutionary Somatic Practice, where she guides people in healing trauma, embodying their truth, and cultivating new skills for an evolving world.

LOCATION: Room 308

Did you know that poor air quality can lower children’s test scores, reduce crop yields, and even disrupt the New York Stock Exchange? Climate change, air quality, and public health are deeply interconnected, affecting our lives in ways we often don’t realize. Join Dr. Preeti Jaggi, Board Chair of Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action, and Tanya Coventry-Strader, Executive Director of Mothers and Others for Clean Air, for an eye-opening presentation on the root causes of air pollution and climate change—and how they impact our health and well-being. You'll also discover practical ways to advocate for cleaner air and a healthier future for yourself and your community.

LOCATION: Room 362

This workshop provides an overview of ways individuals and families can take environmental action at home. Participants will learn about home energy and solar assessments, waste reduction and diversion strategies, and available funding opportunities for residents. The workshop will be led by Hannah Shultz, GIPL Program Director.

LOCATION: Room 364

This workshop, designed for new or relaunching Green Teams, will explore strategies for building your team, organizing and mobilizing members, and engaging your congregation. Participants will gain access to Green Team resources, learn about GIPL’s practical climate solution programs, and have the opportunity to ask questions of GIPL staff. The workshop is led by Ayesha Abid, GIPL Program Coordinator.

LOCATION: Room 365

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is the five-member elected body that regulates Georgia Power. Every three years, Georgia Power submits an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the PSC, outlining how it intends to procure and deliver energy over the next 20 years. GIPL has intervened in several previous IRPs and is intervening again this year to advocate for meaningful bill relief for customers and the expansion of energy efficiency and solar programs. Attend this workshop to learn more about what to expect from the 2025 IRP and how you can get involved. This session will be led by Codi Norred, GIPL’s Executive Director, along with experts from the Southern Environmental Law Center.

LOCATION: Chapel

Thomas Berry wrote, “It’s all a question of story. We are in trouble just now because we do not have a good story.” Too often, environmental narratives focus on crisis and loss, leaving people feeling hopeless. But what if we used our moral imagination to tell a different story—one of peace, justice, and regeneration? In this interactive workshop, participants will envision a thriving future and co-create a collaborative community art project that tells a new story of a world where all flourish. Led by Beth Remmes, GIPL’s Coastal Outreach and Resilience Coordinator, and Midnight Riot, a local nonprofit advancing environmental equity, this session will inspire new ways to engage and empower change.

LOCATION: Room 303

Across Georgia, Green Teams are driving real change—mobilizing communities, shaping local policy, implementing on-site climate solutions, and inspiring congregations to embrace environmental stewardship. In this workshop, three experienced Green Team leaders will share their successes in energy efficiency, solar, ReWilding, and Zero-Waste initiatives within their congregations. Facilitated by Ayesha Abid, GIPL’s Program Coordinator, this session will offer practical insights, lessons learned, and actionable strategies to help your faith community take meaningful steps toward sustainability.

LOCATION: Room 306

A basic understanding of climate science is enough to spark meaningful conversations and drive change. In this session, Mark Papier, a Jewish meteorologist and climate change communicator, will introduce the 2024 Climate Literacy Guide—an underused resource designed to help you engage others in climate action. Participants will gain practical tools to communicate effectively and work within their communities to design solutions that address climate, social, and economic challenges. You’ll leave feeling empowered to turn knowledge into action.

LOCATION: Room 308

Georgia’s solar policies are evolving, shaping opportunities for both congregations and homeowners. This workshop will explore how the Integrated Resource Plan influences the state’s renewable energy goals and what changes may be on the horizon. We’ll also discuss financing options through the Georgia BRIGHT program and provide practical guidance on implementing solar projects. Led by experts in the field, this session will equip participants with actionable insights to navigate the solar landscape, bring clean energy to their communities, and advocate for stronger clean energy policies.

LOCATION: Room 362

Trees are crucial in reducing urban heat, mitigating rising temperatures, and improving public health—but not all communities have equal access to these benefits. This workshop will explore the importance of tree equity and strategies to expand tree canopies in underserved areas through community-led planting efforts. We’ll also examine the growing concern of biomass production, its impact on forest ecosystems, and the environmental justice issues tied to deforestation and pollution. This workshop will be led by Dr. Treva Gear and Hannah Shultz, GIPL’s Program Director.

LOCATION: Room 364

Drawdown Georgia is an initiative inspired by Project Drawdown to accelerate progress toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This workshop, led by Ayesha Abid, GIPL’s Program Coordinator, explores 20 high-impact solutions to cut the state’s carbon footprint by one-third by 2030. Participants will discover practical steps for individuals and congregations to engage with these solutions and learn how to advocate for policies that drive meaningful change.

LOCATION: Room 365

Faith communities have a powerful voice in shaping policies that address climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore effective ways to engage in state and federal advocacy efforts that align with GIPL’s core values of stewardship, justice, community, peace, and awe. Led by Marqus Cole, GIPL’s Organizing Director, this session will cover key legislative priorities, practical strategies for engaging lawmakers, and tools for mobilizing faith communities to amplify their impact.

LOCATION: The Chapel