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:
ASK SENATORS HARKIN AND GRASSLEY TO JOIN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH
IOWA INTERFAITH GROUP SUPPORTS GLOBAL WARMING REPORT
SAFE CLIMATE ACT INTRODUCED IN U.S. HOUSE WEDNESDAY
THE GREAT WARMING COMING TO DECORAH (tonight) AND DUBUQUE (June 29); SPREAD THE WORD
SAVE ENERGY, HELP HALT GLOBAL WARMING THROUGH IOWA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT
DON’T GET TOO EXCITED ABOUT EXPECTED FLURRY OF CLIMATE LEGISLATION
2030 CHALLENGE TARGETS FOSSIL FUEL INDEPENDENCE FOR NEW BUILDINGS
COMMONALITY AMONG WORLD BANK, WORLD CUP, AND AL GORE?
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ASK SENATORS HARKIN AND GRASSLEY TO JOIN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH
Attached find a draft (not sure how current it is any more) of a letter by Senators Durbin, IL, and Collins, ME, that we understand will be submitted to the President on Thursday of this week. Please encourage Senators Harkin and Grassley asking them to sign-on to the Durbin-Collins "dear colleague letter" which seeks the President's leadership to help enact a national program of mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions that would reduce emissions from current levels within 10 years. The Senate switchboard number is 202.224.3121. Please call now.
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IOWA INTERFAITH GROUP SUPPORTS GLOBAL WARMING REPORT
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light Coordinator Tim Kautza commended Senators Harkin and Grassley Tuesday for their leadership and support of clean and sustainable energy. During a statement at the release of the study "The Carbon Boom" by the Iowa Public Interest Research Group, Kautza said, "Progressive innovations in sustainable energy development can help revitalize rural communities while slowing global warming. But that’s not enough to halt global warming during the 21st century. We need, right now, national mandatory controls that reduce the heat-trapping pollutants resulting from our dependence on dirty fossil fuels… on coal and oil." The study found global warming pollution in Iowa jumped 97% between 1960 and 2001. For Kautza’s statement, see What’s New? at http://www.ncrlc.com/IIPandL-webpage.html. For "The Carbon Boom," visit http://uspirg.org/uspirgnewsroom.asp?id2=24976
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SAFE CLIMATE ACT INTRODUCED IN U.S. HOUSE WEDNESDAY
Representative Henry Waxman (California) introduced the Safe Climate Act yesterday. The bill is notable because it is the first to set emissions reductions targets that are in line with what scientists say we need to achieve in order to avert the worst effects of global warming. The bill reflects a growing sense of urgency about global warming and may help push Congress toward more ambitious proposals. Although action on the bill is not imminent, you may wish to make your Congressional Representative aware of the important contribution this bill makes to the climate debate. You can find more details about the bill at Congressman’s website http://www.henrywaxman.house.gov/, including a section-by-section summary, the official press release, and a statement by Waxman. You will soon be able to view the complete bill at www.thomas.loc.gov but it is not yet available there at this moment.
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THE GREAT WARMING COMING TO DECORAH (tonight) AND DUBUQUE (June 29); SPREAD THE WORD
More than 100 people attended the most recent showing of The Great Warming in Iowa hosted by Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines. The Great Warming reveals how a changing climate is affecting the lives of people around the world. The Great Warming includes statements from scientists and opinion-leaders as well as a blunt assessment of America’s leadership – or lack thereof - in what is the most critical environmental issue of the 21st century. The Great Warming also showcases initiatives aimed at reversing the trend toward permanent damage to our planet, as well as scenes documenting the emerging voice of America’s religious community urging action on climate change from pulpits across the country. For more information visit http://www.ncrlc.com/the_great_warming.html
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SAVE ENERGY, HELP HALT GLOBAL WARMING THROUGH IOWA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT
Let us help your congregation increase energy efficiency, reduce overall energy consumption, and choose renewable energy. Your church, synagogue, mosque, center, hospital, school, or religious community can become an Inaugural Congregation member of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light for only $50. And, you individually can also lend your support to these people of faith who are working together to halt global warming and reduce the impacts of global climate change. For a descriptive brochure, visit
http://www.ncrlc.com/1-pfd-files/IIPL_Brochure_final.pdf
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DON’T GET TOO EXCITED ABOUT EXPECTED FLURRY OF CLIMATE LEGISLATION
In an article "Global Warming Starting to Heat Up Political Scene," author Bill McKibben cautions about getting too excited about what might be a flurry of climate and energy related legislation now that global warming seems to be gaining some credibility among politicians. He suggests elements of good legislation to look for when analyzing bills. Visit http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=57425 We’d also encourage referring to "Iowa’s Sustainable Energy Charter "when analyzing state energy legislation. Visit http://www.ncrlc.com/IICEC-webpages/iicec-web02.html
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2030 CHALLENGE TARGETS FOSSIL FUEL INDEPENDENCE FOR NEW BUILDINGS
New Mexico is spearheading a national effort to redefine building standards so that they reduce emissions linked to global warming. The "2030 Challenge" is a national initiative backed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The challenge seeks to immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings and to make all buildings completely independent of fossil-fuel energy by the year 2030. It has so far been embraced by the mayors of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Chicago, Miami and Seattle, all of whom have ordered that new city-owned buildings adhere to the standards. For more before you talk to your Mayor, visit http://www.architecture2030.org/. For the complete article, visit http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2006/06/19/story7.html
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COMMONALITY AMONG WORLD BANK, WORLD CUP, AND AL GORE?
What do the World Bank, the World Cup Soccer Tournament, and Al Gore have in common. According to an article at Washington Post.com, they’re "all doing their bit to fight global warming by using the burgeoning but barely regulated business of "’carbon neutrality.’" Typically, carbon off-sets or carbon neutrality mechanisms involve investing in non-polluting wind, solar or hydropower projects to offset emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas. The article raises some questions about the internationally unregulated practice. However, certifying organizations For the complete article visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062001232_pf.html For more about becoming carbon neutral, visit http://www.green-e.org/what_is/dictionary/trc.html
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