Periodic news items and alerts about global climate change justice, energy efficiency, energy conservation, and sustainable energy alternatives for congregations.
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Blessings!
Tim Kautza
Coordinator
Contents:
IOWA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT HOLDS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM SOME OF THEIR COLLEAGUES, EVANGELICAL LEADERS JOIN GLOBAL WARMING INITIATIVE
COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY PRESENTED TO IOWA HOUSE
PEW CENTER RELEASES FIRST COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE
INTERFAITH CLIMATE AND ENERGY CAMPAIGN PRESENTS CHARTER TO DES MOINES MAYOR
SENATORS PLAN CLIMATE CHANGE BILL THIS SPRING
ENERGY TAX INCENTIVES YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR
ANGLICAN CHURCH ANNOUNCES PLANS TO COMBAT POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IMPACTS RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDS GREEN FOR THE FUTURE
LEARN ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
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IOWA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT HOLDS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light met for the first time at Bethesda Lutheran Church, in Ames which is recognized as one of the first Energy Star Congregations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations_snapshots). Participants were asked to suggest their vision for what IIP&L might become and replied "We hope, IIP&L will …
Demonstrate environmental stewardship as it relates to climate change and sustainable energy.
Help congregations be models to other congregations to individual people of faith, and others.
Provide a justification for work on other care of creation issues.
Contribute to sound building construction and design
Educate individuals
Promote social justice and global solidarity.
Improve energy efficiency of congregations.
Help address national security concerns.
Explore the feasibility of wind generation among congregations.
Connect spirituality and creation
Be a clearinghouse for new ideas and innovations.
Help network those who want to get off the grid.
Be a catalyst for group education on topics like grant writing, retrofitting existing facilities, and new construction.
Create a paradigm shift toward sustainable energy.
Encourage simpler lifestyles.
Facilitate grassroots action.
Be a strong interfaith organization.
Help congregations, particularly rural congregations, conduct risk analysis for facilities and connect them with technical and financial support.
Connect congregations that will support each other.
Help find concrete solutions.
Create awareness among people and congregations.
Watch this bulletin or contact IIP&L Coordinator Tim Kautza for more information about Iowa Interfaith Power & Light at 515.270.2634 or ncrlctk@mchsi.com
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DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM SOME OF THEIR COLLEAGUES, EVANGELICAL LEADERS JOIN GLOBAL WARMING INITIATIVE
Eighty-six evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors."
Among signers of the statement, which will be released in Washington on Wednesday, are the presidents of 39 evangelical colleges, leaders of aid groups and churches, like the Salvation Army, and pastors of megachurches, including Rick Warren, author of the best seller "The Purpose-Driven Life." For a complete report, visit www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08warm.html?ex=
1139979600&en=67211364578d997c&ei=5065&partner=MYWAY
In anticipation of this revelation, 22 of the nation's most high-profile evangelical leaders tried to derail the call for climate change action by asking the National Association of Evangelicals not to issue any statement on global warming or to allow its officers or staff members to take a position declaring in January, "Global warming is not a consensus issue." Among the signers were Charles W. Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries; James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family; and Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. For a complete report, visit
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/01/AR2006020102132.html
For more about interfaith climate change action, visit www.ncrlc.com/global_climate_change.html
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COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY PRESENTED TO IOWA HOUSE
On February 7, State Representative Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids), State Senator Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City), and State Representative Don Shoultz (D-Waterloo) held a press conference to discuss a comprehensive energy and climate policy bill filed that day in the Iowa House as House File 2271. According to Hogg, "Building on other proposals to expand renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, this bill is intended to make Iowa a world leader in energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy to strengthen our economy, help consumers, create jobs, and meet our obligations for the environment and future generations. It would appropriate $19.8 million and provide approximately $13.6 million in targeted tax incentives for energy conservation and clean, affordable Iowa energy each year for five years. To view this legislation, visit www.legis.state.ia.us.
Although this bill is unlikely to pass in its entirety, parts of the proposal - such as standards and incentives for green building construction, expanded community energy conservation planning and training, and a second round of tax credits for local renewable energy production - have a realistic chance to be considered this year, according to Hogg.
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PEW CENTER RELEASES FIRST COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The Pew Center on Global Climate Change released the first comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The Agenda for Climate Action identifies both broad and specific policies, combining recommendations on economy-wide mandatory emissions cuts, technology development, scientific research, energy supply, and adaptation with critical steps that can be taken in key sectors. The report is the culmination of a two-year effort that articulates a pragmatic course of action across all areas of the economy.
The report calls for a combination of technology and policy and urges action in six key areas: (1) science and technology, (2) market-based programs, (3) sectoral emissions, (4) energy production and use, (5) adaptation, and (6) international engagement. Within these six areas, the Agenda outlines fifteen specific recommendations that should be started now, including U.S. domestic reductions and engagement in the international negotiation process. All the recommendations are capable of implementation in the near-term. View the report at www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/agenda_for_climate_action/index.cfm
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INTERFAITH CLIMATE AND ENERGY CAMPAIGN PRESENTS CHARTER TO DES MOINES MAYOR
Iowa Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign advisory committee member Dr. Phil Leino met with Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie for about an one and one half hours this week. Phil presented the mayor with Iowa’s Sustainable Energy Charter and had what he refers to as "an excellent conversation on global warming and discussed ways that the city could participate in increasing awareness of global warming and some ways the city could use incentives to build more energy efficient buildings and weatherize existing buildings."
The Des Moines City Council approved in December the creation of a Mayor's task Force on Energy Conservation and Environmental Preservation. The task force will submit Guiding Principles to the City Council for adoption in March 2006. It will consider energy conservation and reduction, improvement to indoor air quality; use of environmentally friendly and renewable building materials; LEED Certification, and environmental education needs in the city. The deadline for recommendations from the task force is August of this year. If you reside in Des Moines, please let your Council member and the mayor know your support for this effort and specifically recommendations tailored after those of Iowa’s Sustainable Energy Charter. For a copy of the charter visit www.ncrlc.com/IICEC.html
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SENATORS PLAN CLIMATE CHANGE BILL THIS SPRING
The Republican chairman and the top Democrat on the Senate Energy Committee announced last week that they will introduce legislation this spring aimed at fighting global warming, but their staff see little chance of Congress passing the climate change bill this year. The European Union, Japan and much of the rest of the industrialized world are imposing mandatory cuts on emissions linked to global warming. But in the United States, the Bush Administration favors asking companies to join a voluntary emission reduction program. Senators Domenici and Bingaman issued a "white paper" listing climate change issues that must be resolved before they can write their bill. For the white paper, visit http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=IssueItems.View&IssueItem_ID=33 For a complete article visit http://www.localnewsleader.com/elytimes/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=135758
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ENERGY TAX INCENTIVES YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR
Find out what federal income tax incentives you might be eligible to receive for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Visit http://www.energytaxincentives.org
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ANGLICAN CHURCH ANNOUNCES PLANS TO COMBAT POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE
International representatives of the Anglican Church meeting in South Africa last week launched a global initiative to bring church members around the world together to fight poverty and the effects of climate change. The initiative was announced by Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town. He said it was a scandal that in a world where globalization is making some people wealthy, 800 million people go hungry. "And we have been told that what we are seeing in terms of HIV and Aids is miniscule compared to the devastation that climate change is going to bring." Visit http://allafrica.com/stories/200602020625.html
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CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IMPACTS RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Michigan are creating a more just and sustainable future and they’re achieving it by practicing what they preach: Building right relationship. A promising symbol of the congregation’s progress arrived this fall: a glossy, 44-page, four-color report from DTE Energy, "PROGRESSIVE action, practical steps: Addressing Climate Change and Air Emissions." This report was published by DTE Energy in September at the request of the IHM Responsible Investment Committee to explain how the company is reducing its impact on the environment.. The congregation, long-time shareholders in DTE Energy, asked the company to report on the company’s efforts to lower emissions and its position on global climate change. In the report, DTE acknowledges the problem of global warming and indicates the proactive steps it is taking to address the issue. Visit
www.dteenergy.com/about/environment/emissionsReport.html
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RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDS GREEN FOR THE FUTURE
"Building Green for the Future," published by Urban Catalyst Associates of Ann Arbor, Michigan, provides case studies of business, residences, and institution that have incorporated energy efficiency, water efficiency, green materials use, and related social benefits into their construction. This 104-page, four – color book showcases the sustainable renovation of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe, Michigan. The publishing team of recent graduate students hopes the book will encourage developers to infuse elements of environmental sustainability into their planning and development. Visit
www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-green-handbook.pdf
For more about the IHM Motherhouse Renovation, visit www.ihmsisters.org/future-motherhouse.html
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LEARN ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency at www.nrel.gov/learning
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