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
FORTY SENATORS CALL ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPO AT SOLON
COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT PROPOSED FOR WATERLOO
HUNDREDS VIEW THE GREAT WARMING IN IOWA
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH NEAR YOU
WESTERN WILDFIRES ATTRIBUTED TO WARMING CLIMATE; EXPECTED TO WORSEN
IOWA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP ACHIEVE VISION
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FORTY SENATORS CALL ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
Forty U.S. senators sent a bipartisan letter to President Bush last month calling for stabilizing global warming emissions within 10 years, which leading scientists say is needed to avert the most devastating and irreversible impacts of global warming, such as a substantial rise in sea level that would inundate coastal areas.
The senators’ letter, which was sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), states, "Today, we are writing to express our continuing concern about the threats posed by global warming and our support for a mandatory program that would reduce emissions from today’s levels within 10 years." Senator Harkin signed the letter and Senator Grassley did not. For more, visit http://uspirg.org/uspirgnewsroom.asp?id2=25267&id3=USPIRGnewsroom&
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RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPO AT SOLON
Plan to attend the 2006 I-Renew Energy EXPO on September 9 & 10, 2006 at Solon High School in Solon, Iowa. This is a new school built with green and renewable technologies. This will be the 15th annual Expo hosted by the Iowa Renewable Energy Association (I-Renew). The EXPO features workshops and speakers covering many topics- from renewable energy- wind, solar & more, sustainable living, green building, entrepreneurship and DIY (Do-it-Yourself), children’s art, energy efficient technology, renewable fuels, alternative transportation, advocacy, etc. This year, a "Local" focus has been added to cover local energy, food and fiber. The 2006 Energy EXPO theme is: "Energizing Iowa’s Communities." The I-Renew Energy EXPO also features a demonstration area including cars that run on alternative fuels, bicycle art & technology, solar & wind energy, hydrogen storage and a fuel cell, among other creative demonstrations. There will also be exhibitors from the business and non-profit communities including local food vendors, plus the I-Renew Silent Auction, Children’s Program and family entertainment. Iowa Interfaith Power & Light and Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign will be among the exhibitors and we’d love to visit with you. For more about the Expo visit www.irenew.org/expo.html
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COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT PROPOSED FOR WATERLOO
LS Power of New Jersey recently announced plans to build a 750 MW pulverized coal-burning power plant northeast of downtown Waterloo. The proposed construction of this power plant, which plans to sell most of its power outside of Iowa, is raising public debate about the future of energy generation. To date 3,000 citizens have signed a petition opposing the plant. To build, LS Power must get permission from the local planning body (Waterloo and Black Hawk County), the Department of Natural
Resources, and the Iowa Utilities Board. To find out more about the plant and public sentiment about it, contact Mark Kresowik, mark.kresowik@sierraclub.org, 319-621-7393 or visit the LS Power site at www.lspower.com/projects/?project=elk_run
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HUNDREDS VIEW THE GREAT WARMING IN IOWA
About 400 people viewed The Great Warming shown by Iowa Interfaith Power & Light and Iowa Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign and local sponsors in Decorah, Cedar Falls, Hiawatha, Des Moines, Pella and most recently at Dubuque. For more the movie, visit www.thegreatwarming.com/ Another showing is pending in the Davenport area.
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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH NEAR YOU
If you haven’t seen "An Inconvenient Truth" (a.k.a. The Al Gore movie) you may wish to. The film lays out the latest, up-to-date, most compelling facts about global warming with startling images and dramatic pictures showing clearly what is happening to our Earth. To learn more about the movie and find showtimes at theaters near you, visit www.StopGlobalWarming.org Iowa Interfaith Power & Light may show this movie at congregations throughout the state the first week in October. Watch this bulletin for more details as they become available or contact Tim Kautza (ncrlctk@mchsi.com; 515.270.2634) if you’re interested in sponsoring a showing.
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WESTERN WILDFIRES ATTRIBUTED TO WARMING CLIMATE; EXPECTED TO WORSEN
A new study led by scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, implicates rising seasonal temperatures and the earlier arrival of spring conditions in connection with a dramatic increase of large wildfires in the western United States. For the complete story, visit http://scrippsnews.ucsd.edu/article_detail.cfm?article_num=739
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IOWA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP ACHIEVE VISION
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light (IIP&L) is looking for people who are willing to devote small amounts of time to help achieve its vision: IIP&L envisions a transformation of the current energy system from a fossil fuel and uranium-based system to a more sustainable, renewable system with growing reliance on wind, biomass, small-scale hydropower, and muscle power. This new system will meet a demand for energy that will have lessened through greater energy efficiencies, conservation, and lifestyle changes as demonstrated by IIP&L religious congregational and their members. Ultimately, global warming and resulting global climate change will be reduced. For more about IIP&L visit www.ncrlc.com/IIPandL-webpage.html
Specifically, IIP&L is looking for people to help on the following working groups. If you’re interested in finding out more, contact Tim Kautza, ncrlctk@mchsi.com; 515.270.2634
Education: Facilitate the education of congregants on the relationship of energy production and consumption to global warming with a goal of becoming non-polluting or carbon-neutral as a congregation and individually.
Membership: Increase the number of congregational members of IIP&L and help maintain the membership database
Financial Development: Help acquire financial resources to support IIP&L staff and activities
Communications: Maintain good relations with media, draft letters to the editor and op/ed pieces as requested, suggest additions to website, and draft this electronic bulletin
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