Commonwealth Club: Rev. Richard Cizik's Route from the Altar to K Street to Lyft Driver

Join Climate One, in partnership with The Redford Center, for a screening of the short film In Earth We Trust, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, the film’s central figure, and other faith leaders. Fifteen years ago, Reverend Richard Cizik had the attention of 30 million evangelical Christians and was generating momentum for a faith-based moral obligation to care for the planet. This idea of “Creation Care” was controversial, but Rev. Cizik became a media darling—the face of a reasonable modern-day evangelical movement—until his outspoken ideals led others to force his resignation. This is the story of how a man, set on changing the world, went from vice president of one of the biggest religious organizations in America, and one of Time magazine's top 100 influential people, to becoming a part-time Lyft driver; the story of how he continues to influence hearts and minds when it comes to the environment; and ultimately, a story about finding common ground in a polarized world. Following the film screening, Climate One Executive Director Jenny Park will be joined by the film’s director Sophie Morgan, Reverend Richard Cizik, Rabbi Josh Weisman, and Regina Banks, director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California, for a lively conversation exploring the role faith leaders play in addressing the climate crisis and building common ground in an increasingly divided country.