Miriam Mahaffy

Miriam meandered over to Ottawa from Edmonton, Alberta, where she recently completed her B.Sc. in Environmental Studies at the King’s University with a concentration in biology and a passion for public justice. As an academic urbanite reflecting on society’s place in creation (and vice versa), Miriam’s research has ranged to include statistical analyses on the survivorship of endangered seedlings, the construction of interactive applets to communicate grade five level chemistry, an exploration of Sabbath as the solution to the ecological crisis, an evaluation of the externalities of gasoline consumption in Canada, an evaluation of youth policy and programming in Alberta, and participation in the founding of an intentional Christian community on Alberta Avenue in Edmonton. Miriam continues to find herself overwhelmed by the mysterious threads of grace that knit all existence together in shared meaning. Motivated by the conviction that human creatures should be more faithful citizens of ecological communities, she wants to see a union of environmental and social justice woven into the fabric of responsible public policy in Canada.

Posts by Miriam Mahaffy

Infographic: What is a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions?

By Miriam Mahaffy, Karina Schut | November 24, 2016

Understanding GHG emissions can be challenging. We cannot actually see them accumulate. And they come from a variety of sources. It doesn’t help either that we usually talk about these emissions in big units which are hard to wrap our heads around. One megaton is a million tonnes.

So, to make it easier to understand we can ask: what Canadian sources are equivalent to one tonne of GHGs? How does it translate to the real world, and how do these sources contribute to overall emissions?

By Miriam Mahaffy | April 4, 2016

“We are here because people we work with in the South told us climate change is affecting them. I’m not here speaking on behalf of people in the Global South, but with them.”

— Geneviève Talbot

By Miriam Mahaffy | March 24, 2016

From The Catalyst, Spring 2016 Last year saw climate change become a mainstream issue. International leaders gathered to negotiate the Paris Agreement at the COP21 climate negotiations. The Pope delivered his encyclical, Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home, and the Canadian Council of Churches released a statement, On Promoting Climate Justice and Ending Poverty…

Christians gather to discuss climate action on March 9

What can Christians contribute to the climate conversation?

By Miriam Mahaffy | March 12, 2016

Momentum for climate action is growing

“My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn.

Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,

and the world is about to turn!”

After the Paris Agreement

By Miriam Mahaffy | December 14, 2015

Canadians prayed for 296 consecutive hours during Paris climate negotiations. Concerned kids, parents, farmers, musicians, scientists, grandmothers, ministers, national churches, and friends, all across Canada (and beyond!) participated.

5 People Who Are Praying for COP21 in Paris

By Miriam Mahaffy | November 10, 2015

In the lead up to COP21, CPJ launched Prayers for COP21 in Paris, a suite of worship materials, advocacy tools, and a nation-wide prayer chain designed to help people of faith engage with climate justice.

Here are five citizens across Canada that are joining CPJ in Prayers for COP21 in Paris.

Beyond Greening

By Miriam Mahaffy | November 3, 2015

Climate Justice Requires Christian Advocacy Climate change is already negatively impacting physical, biological, and human systems around the world. That we allow further greenhouse gas emissions is an injustice – especially since those most vulnerable to climate change are already socially and economically marginalized. Religious organizations have traditionally engaged climate care by promoting individual or…

Degrees of Justice

By Miriam Mahaffy | September 16, 2015

The climate we experience results from complex chemical, physical, and biological processes that interact with complicated social and political structures. As creatures and citizens of both ecological and political societies, our impact extends to all organisms with whom we share the safe harbor of Earth’s climate.

Climate change is a tragically urgent public justice issue that requires immediate action.

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