Since 2000, the middle class has declined in size, income, and wealth, also losing some faith in the future. A new report, released August 22, 2012, explores how middle-class Americans view themselves, their future, and presidential candidates.

Read the full report here.

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Renée Brown, Chief Marketing Officer for Retail Financial Services at TIAA discusses her life and career as a lesbian, mother, and person of faith in the workplace. In addition to her more than 25

Renée Brown, Chief Marketing Officer for Retail Financial Services at TIAA discusses her life and career as a lesbian, mother, and person of faith in the workplace. In addition to her more than 25 years of marketing, media and leadership experience, Renée currently serves on the Board of Directors of Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, among other board positions. Moderated by Melanie Pastuck.

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In the past few years, massive wildfires have devastated California, destroying thousands of homes and killing more than a hundred people. Experts say droughts and other conditions amplified by

In the past few years, massive wildfires have devastated California, destroying thousands of homes and killing more than a hundred people. Experts say droughts and other conditions amplified by climate change are one factor. But there is more to the story. "No matter what happens we have to hold PG&E, and whatever successor there is, accountable for negligent acts,” says Mark Toney of the Utility Reform Network. “PG&E was not put into bankruptcy by climate change,” he continues. “PG&E was put into bankruptcy through their own criminal negligence. And we’ve got to hold them accountable and come up with a way of stopping wildfires from happening in the first place. PG&E has admitted that faulty power lines, combined with drought conditions and dying trees worsened by climate change, lit the spark for California’s most deadly wildfire ever. But as far back as the 1990s, PG&E was ignoring the fire danger posed by aging equipment and overgrown trees. Not even hefty fines from the California Public Utilities Commission could get them to clean up their act. In 2000, “We fined them over hundred million dollars,” says Loretta Lynch, who was a commissioner with the CPUC at the time. “That was chump change to them. They continued to pocket necessary maintenance monies and profit from it while the system deteriorated.” In 2010, the San Bruno pipeline explosion killed eight people and injured dozens more; PG&E was later convicted of six felony counts. And last year’s Camp Fire, the deadliest, most destructive in California history, killed 85 people and decimated the town of Paradise. The company now faces a slew of lawsuits from fire victims. “Essentially what our lawsuit is demanding or asking for from PG&E is that the fire victims’ lives are made whole again,” says Patty Garrison, whose home was destroyed in the fire. “It’s just infuriating that that kind of negligence has decimated a town and is continuing to kill people.” This mounting series of transgressions has saddled California’s biggest utility into $30 billion in liabilities and propelled it into bankruptcy. Some have called for a government takeover, or a breakup of the power behemoth into smaller, community-run energy providers. What’s next for PG&E – and for California’s energy future? And in the second half of the show: Cycles of drought and rain have shaped California life since John Steinbeck’s writing seared the state’s water woes into national consciousness. Amplified by climate change, California and other western states now experience regular weather whiplash, careening between record drought and rainfall every few years. In his new book The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California, author Mark Arax reveals the tumultuous history behind the myth of abundance in the Golden State. LA Times reporter Diana Marcum and water expert Faith Kearns explore the complex intersections between drought, climate change, and life in rural California. Can a decades-old distribution system meet the water needs of the future? Will redirecting rivers, drilling deeper wells, and building higher dams quench California’s demand for water? How will the state's robust agricultural economy — one that produces two-thirds of the country’s produce and nuts year-round — survive the next record-breaking drought? A conversation about living the California dream in a drought-prone state. #letstalkclimate https://climateone.org/ PG&E Bankrupt 3:45 Strict Liability 6:33 California Power Outages 10:17 Land Of Dreams and Drought 13:56 Stories of Drought 11:46 How Much is Climate Contributing? 19:01 Dystopian Water War 21:55

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Sharon Lavigne, founder of the faith-based environmental justice group Rise St. James, was the 2021 North American winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize. She received the award for her work fighting chemical plants in St. James Parish, Louisiana.

Support Sharon's efforts: Rise St. James

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Rabbi Ed Rosenthal is the Executive Director and Campus Rabbi for Suncoast Hillels, and founder of Scubi Jews at Eckerd College.

He promotes ocean conservation and exploration by

Rabbi Ed Rosenthal is the Executive Director and Campus Rabbi for Suncoast Hillels, and founder of Scubi Jews at Eckerd College.

He promotes ocean conservation and exploration by integrating faith and community. Join us to learn more about his unique approach.

Support Rabbi Ed's work at repairthesea.org.

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Democracy Now reported on the People's Climate Movement, a historic march in New York City that gathered indigenous, labor, and faith groups. Expected to be the largest climate change protest in history, organizers anticipated over 100,000 participants.

This massive demonstration, part of 2,000 global solidarity events, occurred ahead of a United Nations climate summit. The broadcast featured discussions with key leaders from the labor, indigenous, faith, and climate justice communities. Watch the full segment on Democracy Now.

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Young, conservative, Catholic, and stewards of the earth: this growing group is speaking up on climate change. In a radio interview with Ohio News Network, CCLer Topher Anderson explains that it is

Young, conservative, Catholic, and stewards of the earth: this growing group is speaking up on climate change. In a radio interview with Ohio News Network, CCLer Topher Anderson explains that it is his Catholic faith and the teachings of Pope Francis that guide him to work on climate change. Topher just met with his Republican members of Congress in March of 2021. He's asking them to take action on climate change, using solutions that are consistent with conservative values. Topher believes these values of small government and belief in American ingenuity are needed to craft solutions that will work for all of America. Will Topher and other young Catholics have success? They're working on growing their numbers and making their voices heard. Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) is a home for many people of faith, who approach their advocacy through creation care and being stewards of the earth. We provide the training and organization that ordinary people need to be effective climate advocates. Learn more at http://cclusa.org

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Soul Sanctuary explores Beit T'Shuvah, a Jewish faith-based, long-term addiction treatment center. Here, residents find dignity and respect through *t'shuvah*, a Jewish practice emphasizing accountability and right action. The program helps individuals overcome addiction, presented as a mental, physical, and spiritual malady.

Infused with joy and hope, the documentary invites participants to envision a fulfilling life free from drugs and alcohol. It showcases how people reconnect through therapy, spiritual counseling, dance, choir, and internships. The film's trailer features Harriet Rossetto, the program's founder.

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