The Wonders of the Deep Sea

Approximately two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans with an average depth of about 2.65 miles. Below 0.62 miles, the water is completely dark, temperatures plummet to 39 °F, and the pressure is about 40 times the pressure of earth’s atmosphere. Nonetheless, many creatures can live in this extreme place having no light. Deep sea explorations have found shrimp, fish, coral, tube worms, mussels, starfish, and many other creatures even below 2 miles. About 95% of the ocean remains unexplored, and marine scientists continuously find new species in this unusual place. In addition to creatures, huge quantities of methane gas hydrates and billions of tons of manganese nodules are found in deep ocean floors (2-4 miles deep). Manganese nodules grow only 10-100 millimeters per million years. Gas hydrates may contain roughly twice the carbon contained in all reserves of coal, oil, and conventional natural gas combined. Join Professor Hyun-Min Hwang of Texas Southern University to be awestruck by these, and other, wonders of the deep sea.

Free

The Center for Hearing and Speech’s Sound & Soul Gala

The Ballroom at Bayou Place 500 Texas St., 2nd floor, Houston

The Center for Hearing and Speech (CHS) will launch its newest expansion plan at the annual Sound & Soul Gala on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Held at The Ballroom at Bayou Place, this year’s gala is nautical themed in honor of The Center for Hearing and Speech “Launching into the Future.”

Evening with Robert Reich

Congregation Emanu El 1500 Sunset Blvd, Houston

A lecture event with Robert Reich on his upcoming book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It.

$150

Close the Camps! Free Them All! April 19 Demonstration at SWK!

Never Again Action-Houston will hold a second COVID-safe, car-only demonstration to demand the closure of the Southwest Key detention center at 419 Emancipation Avenue on Sunday, April 19, at 1:30 pm. We will assemble in the parking lot diagonally across from the detention center and place signs on our cars--at a safe distance from each other. Please bring your own signs and tape! Then we will form a caravan and drive around the detention center, honking and chanting as we go, for about one hour.

The Wonders of Coastal Wetlands

Historically, wetlands were considered useless land, and we filled them in to make farmland and housing. Today, we realize that wetlands provide numerous valuable services to humanity, and we seek to protect and restore them. Coastal wetlands are threatened by a number of factors, but can be remarkably resilient to moderate rates of sea level rise. This talk will review some of the benefits we derive from coastal wetlands, discuss the threats facing them, and explain why we have reason to expect that wetlands will survive despite ongoing global change. Join this conversation with Professor Steven Pennings of the University of Houston as we wonder at coastal wetlands!

Free

Earth Week Events!

Happy EarthDay Week from the Houston Peace & Justice Center! There are lots of virtual activities going on this week. Please visit xrhouston.com for more information!

Lunch & Learn Dialogues: Racism Higher Education

Center for the Healing of Racism 3412 Crawford Street, Houston, TX

Bring your lunch to the Center for the Healing of Racism on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM, for a presentation by Stephen Cherry, PhD, a sociology professor at UH Clear Lake, about Racism in Higher Education. The talk will be followed by a dialogue.

Free. RSVP required. Donations appreciated

Spring 2020 Interfaith Environmental Stewardship Event

Willow Waterhole Greenspace 5300 Dryad, Houston

Calling people of all faiths, or no faith at all, to engage in hands-on care for our shared environment at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve in Houston.

Free

Virtual Fight for Air Climb

Online TX

From May 15th to June 15th we encourage you to head outdoors to one of the many beautiful trails throughout Houston for your climb. Same mission, just a different place to climb.

Now more than ever the American Lung Association needs your support! The Lung Association just launched the COVID-19 Action Initiative, a comprehensive $25M initiative to end COVID-19 and defend against future respiratory virus pandemics.

$35.00

HPJC Quarterly Board Meeting

Please join the Houston Peace & Justice Center via Zoom for our Quarterly Board Meeting. Organizational members are asked to send a representative to each Quarterly Board Meeting. Individual members are always welcome to attend.

Lunch & Learn Dialogues: Racism in the Arts

Center for the Healing of Racism 3412 Crawford Street, Houston, TX

Bring your Lunch and join us for a conversation on Racism in the Arts with Harrison Guy, founder and artistic director of Urban Souls Dance Company.

Free. RSVP required. Donations appreciated

Waking News!

Center for the Healing of Racism 3412 Crawford Street, Houston, TX

Come share an article you found in a magazine, journal, or online resource relating to discrimination, oppression, or any forms of racism. Then join us in a lively discussion where we engage in the complexities of racism and how we can all heal from it.

$2019

Discovering Our Texas Native Lady Beetles

Lady beetles, or ladybugs, have long been recognized as one of the best biological controls for many insect pests in both home gardens and agri-business. The diversity in this family of insects has been well-characterized yet they have largely been represented by only a few select species which have been introduced in the U.S. via different methods. So, who are our native lady beetles? What are their dietary preferences and habitat needs? This presentation is an introduction to some of the native lady beetles in the greater Houston area and an overview of their biology and habitat needs.

Free

the black SIT

the black SIT
gather. grieve. rest. restore.
w/ Zen teacher Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Justice 4 George Floyd

Discovery Green 1500 McKinney, Houston

In support of Trae The Truth to uplift George Floyd we continue to demand accountability for Black lives in Houston and across the country.

I Can’t Breathe! I Can’t Breathe!

Online TX

I Can't Breathe! I Can't Breathe!
Is there a difference between the death of George Floyd and choking by lynching?

Zoom workshop

Interfaith Justice Advocacy Workshop

Calling people of all faiths to learn to more effectively raise your voice for the voiceless!  Experts from Texas Impact, an Austin-based interfaith justice advocacy organization, will educate on how to do it right, and will provide information on their top justice advocacy priorities for 2020:  Climate Justice, Health Justice, and Migration Justice, so that you can knowledgeably engage your legislators on these critical justice issues as a person of faith.  You’ll also learn about Texas Impact’s Legislative Engagement Groups, where you can advocate with others, so you don’t have to “go it alone”.

Interfaith Justice Advocacy Workshop

Calling people of all faiths to learn to more effectively raise your voice for the voiceless! Experts from Texas Impact, an Austin-based interfaith justice advocacy organization, will educate on how […]

Free

Lunch & Learn Dialogues: Racism in Criminal Justice

Center for the Healing of Racism 3412 Crawford Street (@ Holman), Houston, TX

Bring your lunch to a presentation on Racism in Criminal Justice by representatives of the Houston-based non-profit organization Pure Justice. The presentation will be followed by a dialogue. Representatives from Pure Justice will be available to discuss resources for formerly incarcerated people as well as how individuals can join their movement.

Free. RSVP required. Donations appreciated