Faith and Sustainability

J. Renay Loper is the voice of Bard College's "Lead the Change" podcast and the host of her own "Through the Noise" podcast. She is a Clinical Faculty member in Organizational Leadership at the Bard MBA in Sustainability program, where she focuses on justice-centered transformation in the workplace. Her work is rooted in the belief that real change happens when bold ideas meet collaborative action.

On this episode of the Faith & Sustainability Podcast, Rev. Canon Sally Bingham—founder of Interfaith Power & Light—shares how faith communities can lead the charge against climate change. Drawing from decades of advocacy, she explores the spiritual imperative to protect creation and mobilize congregations for environmental justice.

In this episode, meet Sarah Kirikumwino, a dynamic youth leader and president of the Laudato Si' clubs through the Laudato Youth Initiative. Sarah shares how young people across Uganda are taking bold steps to live out their faith by caring for our common home—turning environmental awareness into impactful action inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'. Discover how youth are leading the charge in faith-based climate action and building a more sustainable future.

Kimberly White, chief sustainability officer for Cobb County and executive director of Keep Cobb Beautiful, shares her passion for building sustainable communities through practical, people-centered initiatives that connect policy, education and grassroots action.From clean energy planning to community cleanups, hear how Cobb County is becoming a model for local environmental leadership—and how residents are playing a vital role. Whether you're an eco-advocate, community organizer, or just curious about what sustainability looks like in action, Kimberly's insights will inspire you to think globally and act locally.

Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, founder of Green The Church, discusses the intersection of faith, environmentalism, social justice and exploring the dynamic role of the Black Church in the sustainability movement.Dr. Carroll shares the deeply rooted spiritual and cultural connections between Black faith traditions and environmental stewardship—drawing on a rich legacy of community resilience, prophetic witness, and justice-driven activism. We dive into theunique challenges, bold opportunities, and transformational engagement that define this critical intersection.From church rooftops to climate justice rallies, from food deserts to energy democracy, this episode is a testament to the leadership rising from the pews to protect creation—and to inspire us all. . As a leading voice in faith-based climate advocacy, he explored how religious communities can mobilize for sustainability and environmental justice.

Dr. Richard Ezike of Argonne National Labs discusses his work in transportation and energy equity within the faith community.

Professor and Associate Chair of Religious Studies at California State University Northridge, Dr. Amanda Baugh appears on this episode to discuss sustainability through the lens of various demographics as her research focuses on the intersection of religion and environmental concern.