Bill McKibben, a leading environmental author, will be the featured speaker at an environmental educational event sponsored by the state conference of the United Church of Christ.

The latest of McKibben’s 13 books, “eaarth: Making Life on a Tough New Planet,” is a strong warning that action is needed to prevent environmental crisis.

“Fossil fuel is wrecking the one earth we’ve got. It’s not going to go away because we ask politely. If we want a world that works, we’re going to have to raise our voices,” McKibben writes in “eaarth.”

McKibben is co-founder of Step It Up and 350.org, an international campaign dedicated to climate solutions. It is named after the goal of reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, considered the highest safe level. It is now 390 ppm.

The event, to be held May 6-7 at the Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, will include 20 workshops on education, worship, conservation, stewardship, justice and advocacy.

Individual parishes will be featured, including one that created New Eden, including community gardens and an outdoor chapel. Congregations also can learn ways to conserve energy and become better environmental stewards of their buildings.

The event is open to all. Fees vary, on-line registration and more information are available at http://ctucc.org/greengod