"Living Our Values" with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe – A Night of Connection and Climate Action

On April 3rd 2025, the IPC community gathered for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, connection, and collective purpose at our regional hub event, Living Our Values: A Conversation With Climate Scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe.

With faithful stewards coming together from across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and beyond, this event was a true reflection of our shared commitment to care for creation and face the climate crisis grounded in our spiritual values. Whether attending in-person at one of our regional hubs or tuning in virtually, participants were united by a powerful sense of community and hope.

The evening began with a warm welcome from IPC Executive Director Meenal Harankhedkar. Meenal spoke about how IPC works hand-in-hand with congregations across traditions to equip faith communities with tools, resources, and support to lead healing projects that restore the watershed—from tree plantings and native gardens to education and events.

She emphasized that IPC is more than a resource—we’re a connector. We bring people together across faith lines, across counties, and across communities to support one another in living out our values. She invited all attendees—whether long-time partners or brand-new faces—to join the growing network of “Faithful Stewards” by signing the IPC Partner Pledge, a commitment to care for creation in ways that are visible, communal, and spiritually rooted.

Following the welcome, Timothy Lattimer from the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability delivered thoughtful and forward-looking remarks that underscored the power of local leadership in climate action. He shared Howard County’s bold Climate Forward Plan that addresses key mitigation strategies focused on energy, waste, and transportation, while also prioritizing nature-based solutions that strengthen resilience and restore ecosystems. Lattimer emphasized that climate action isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s about reimagining our communities to be healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable. 

He also highlighted some exciting recognitions that put Howard County on the map as a leader in sustainability. Not only is Howard County one of the first in the nation to be certified as a “Bee City” county, committed to protecting pollinators and preserving biodiversity, but it’s also a proud LEED Platinum-certified county, one of only a few with this highest level of environmental certification. Howard County’s story served as an inspiring example of what’s possible when local governments, faith communities, and engaged residents work together to put values into action.

The keynote of the evening was a deeply engaging and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a world-renowned climate scientist and passionate communicator. Blending science with soul, Dr. Hayhoe wove together personal stories, powerful statistics, and a heartfelt message that resonated with everyone in the room. She challenged our assumptions about who cares about the environment and that we need to change the societal perception of what an environmentalist looks like. “You don’t have to be a certain kind of person—you just have to be human.” Dr. Hayhoe emphasized, and that caring about climate change isn’t about politics or labels—it’s about values, compassion, and protecting what we love. She reminded us that nature gives us everything—our air, water, food, and stability. And yet, we’ve created our own crises through pollution and exploitation, leading to 9 million premature deaths every year and costing the global economy trillions of dollars. These aren’t abstract numbers—they’re human lives and communities in harm’s way.

So, what do we do? We talk. Dr. Hayhoe reminded us that climate action starts not with data or debates—but with dialogue. Her message was simple yet profound: our first action is to start a conversation. She shared stories, insights, and encouragement on how living our values means listening, engaging, and finding common ground—even when the topic feels daunting. Start with what matters to the person you're speaking with—faith, family, community, health. Conversation is the first domino in the chain of change. When we talk about it, others start to think about it. And when people start thinking about it, they’re more likely to act.

Before breaking into our regional hub gatherings, IPC’s own Mark Wright took a moment to recognize a cherished leader in our community. He presented the Founders Award to Charlie Conklin, honoring their dedication, service, and continued impact. Charlie believed that caring for creation is a moral responsibility and helped form the Chesapeake Covenant Community which he led into the formation of Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. It was a touching and well-deserved tribute, reminding us that this work is built on the shoulders of those who’ve faithfully led the way.

Attendees broke into groups based on geographic regions—from Baltimore City to Montgomery County, the Eastern Shore to Pennsylvania, and beyond. Each hub gathering created space for local connection and collaboration, allowing participants to reflect on what resonated most from Dr. Hayhoe’s message, shared challenges and hopes from their own congregations, and brainstormed next steps—from organizing local cleanups and tree plantings to starting creation care teams or hosting climate-focused events at their places of worship.

The hubs became more than just breakout groups—they became launchpads for local action and relationship-building. New connections were formed, ideas were exchanged, and a shared commitment was felt deeply. Each gathering ended with a renewed sense of purpose—and many attendees left ready to follow up with each other, collaborate on projects, and bring IPC’s mission home to their congregations.

This event was a beautiful example of what’s possible when we come together in faith and action. We are so grateful to all who participated, to Dr. Hayhoe for her wisdom and inspiration, and to our generous speakers who made the evening possible.

Don't worry if you missed out! You can watch the whole livestream of this event here:

        Thank you to our sponsors and funders!