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1) CARE OF CREATION: Interfaith Reflection
2) HOT TOPICS: Articles on Global Warming Around the Globe
3) FACING FACTS: Current statistics on Global Warming Trends
4) GOOD NEWS: Reports on Rebates, Things You Can Do, and Current
 Legislation, CO2 Reductions and Other Good News
5) CIPL NEWS: Organizational News
6) EVENTS: Announcements of Coming Events related to the Environment
CARE OF CREATION
The work of California Interfaith Power and Light is energized by the
understanding that every major faith tradition call on us to be
stewards
of Creation. We have a responsibility to protect the earth for our
children and future generations. For CIPL members, faithfulness to
the
care of Creation is a spiritual mandate. We continually strive to
nourish
our commitment to the goal of living as responsible stewards. In so
doing, we draw from the wisdom of Creation's many faith traditions.
“Lord, the air smells good
today, straight from the mysteries
within the inner courts of God.
A grace like new clothes thrown
across the garden, free medicine for everybody.
The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise,
The first blue violets kneeling.
Whatever came from Being is caught up in being,
Drunkenly forgetting the way back.”
Rumi
HOT TOPICS
Tidal Wave of Emissions
The world can brace itself for a different kind of tidal wave
than the tsunami that devastated parts of South East Asia
at the end of the year. The tidal wave of CO2 emissions, an
extra 2.7 billion tons of them, are expected in conjunction
with the firing up of 847 new coal-burning power plants in
China, India and the United States. If all of the power plants
planned were online by 2012, they would release five times
as much C02 into the atmosphere as the Kyoto Protocol is targeted
to reduce. This amounts to a 1 to 2 percent increase, enough
to manifest the "maximum" or worst case scenarios
that the climate scientists have described for the world.
With the cost of natural gas on the rise, 58 other nations
have coal-fired plants on the planning tables. Philip Andrews-Speed,
an expert on energy in China reports, "What you're seeing
with China and others is the cheapness and security of coal
just overwhelming the desire to be clean."
(to read full article, go to http://csmonitor.com/2004/1223/p01s04-sten-html
Island Apocalypse
If the global warming trend continues, as many indications
suggest it will, the island kingdom of Maldives will be in
more than just hot water. The nation of 280,000 people, the
lowest lying country in the world (just three feet about sea
level) has been planning for its own demise for some years
now. The president of the nation made of over a thousand coral
islands has warned that the rising seas caused by global warming
threaten to engulf many of the islands. Oceanologists agree
that most of the island chain could be washed away in thirty
years. The Ministry of Tourism has considered a dark humor
strategy for the industry that generates 70% of the nations
income: "Come see us while we are still here." And
Maldives is apparently well worth seeing with its crystal
clear water, picturesque beaches and luxurious resorts.
One wonders what it would be like to grow up in a nation doomed
for extinction. However, Maldives would not be alone, if the
worst-case scenarios were to come true, low-lying countries
like Bangladesh and states like Florida and Louisiana could
be inundated within the century. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
has been critical of "the lethargy and complacency of
the rich nations. He says that they "lack the urgency
and the political will needed in responding" to the threat
of global warming. "Watch what happens to us, the small
island," he stated, "Whatever is our fate tomorrow
will be your fate the day after."
(Adapted from article written by Benjamin Joffe-Walt, Chronicle
Foreign Service, Sunday, January 2, 2005)
FACING FACTS
Current Statistics
According to the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, if global warming
continues at its present rate, within the current century...................
* Low lying cities like Houston could be destroyed
* 10 million people in Egypt could be displaced
* 100 million people in Bangladesh could be displaced
* 260 million people could be displaced globally
GOOD NEWS
New Meaning to "Sunny California"
The spin on the old familiar description of the Golden State
has new meaning as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pushes for his
goal of having solar panels on a million roofs by 2018. Additionally,
Schwarzenegger's plan calls for generating 3,000 megawatts
of power from the sun within 13 years, the equivalent of a
dozen medium-sized power plants . A single megawatt is enough
to meet the energy needs of 750 homes. The administration
wants to require builders to offer the option of solar power
by 2010 in subdivisions of 50 homes or more. They also want
to let the owners of solar powered buildings sell their electrical
power back to their local utility companies when they produce
more energy than they use. The bill, SB1 that would help make
this energy saving strategy a reality can be read on the Net
at www.sen.ca.gov.
Green, Green and Not Just on the Far Side of the Hill..........
A growing number of enlightened utilities and states are making it possible
for people to clean up their acts and purchase clean energy from renewable sources.
The customer pays a bit more, but the option is still new and therefore more
expensive. Like everything else, it is going to become more affordable and we
hope soon! In a recent survey conducted by the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network
in Connecticut, 80% of the people polled said they wanted clean energy and were
willing to pay more for it. Maybe it is time all of us contacted our local utility
and requested a green and clean option of electricity. Read an article on green
energy accessibility by Rabbi Anrea Cohen-Kiener at www.quakerearthcare.org/pubs/newsletter25.html.
CIPL NEWS
Letter to the Editor by Our Executive Director, Published
on December 8 in the Sacramento Bee
An article in the Business section of the Sacramento Bee by
Edie Lau, reported that automakers are suing California to
stop legislation that will protect public health.
The legislation is supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
and would require a 30 percent reduction in global warming
emissions from cars by 2016. Yet automakers have decided to
spend their money on litigation rather than solutions to this
serious issue.
California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) works with people
of all faiths to help them take action to reduce their energy
use to help stop global warming.
Each of us has a responsibility to take care of creation,
and more than 300 congregations in California have joined
the interfaith group and are taking part in this important
work. The market has demonstrated that high-efficiency, low-emission
hybrid vehicles are in demand by consumers.
Therefore, we encourage automakers to do their part and spend
money on the research and development of these vehicles not
on fighting efficiency standards.
Tom Bourne, executive director of California Interfaith
Power and Light, Sacramento
Be an Agent of Change
CIPL urges each of its members to partner with us in drawing more of the 50,000
communities of faith in our state to become members of this fast growing religious
response to global warming. Email us at outreach@interfaithpower.org with your
referrals.
EVENTS
Come and learn how little changes can make a big difference!
San Diego CIPL Working Group (RECAP) Meeting
Tuesday, January 18th
6:00-7:30 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
2728 Sixth Street
San Diego, CA 92103
RSVP to Rev. Glenn Allison, 858-790-3744
tachs.glenn@sbcglobal.net
East Bay Working Group Meeting
Wednesday, January 19th
8:30-10:00 AM
1904 Franklin St., Suite 609
Oakland, CA 94612
RSVP to Sally Juarez
510-763-4217, 916-442-5447 ext. 12
outreach@interfaithpower.org
sallyjuare@aol.com
Sacramento CIPL Working Group
Monday, February 7th
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church
1701 L Street
Sacramento
RSVP to Rev. Dexter McNamara
916-448-2212
dexter@isbsacramento.org
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Does your congregation have an eco-event coming up? Let us help you get the word out to all of our covenant congregations. Do you know of a great film or reading that you wish everyone would take advantage of? Let us know about it and we will include it in the Newsletter. Send us all copy by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the next monthís edition. Email Sally Juarez at outreach@interfaithpower.org.
CLOSING REFLECTION
Grant me the ability to be alone,
May it be my custom to go outdoors each day
among the trees and grasses,
among all growing things
and there may I be alone,
and enter into prayer
to talk with the one
that I belong to.
Rabbi
Nachman of Bratzlav |
