|
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) ACTION ALERT: Write a Letter to Your City Councilmember
6) CIPL NEWS: Organizational News
7) COOL TIPS: Cost-Free Ways to Save Energy and Money
8) 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.
“I am the one whose praise echoes on high.
I adorn all the earth.
I am the breeze that nurtures all things green.
I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits.
I am led by the spirit to feed the purest streams.
I am the rain coming from the dew
That causes the grasses to laugh with the joy of life.
I am the yearning for good.”
Hildegard of Bingen
HOT TOPICS
Full of Hot Air?
"The air just cooks." That is how researcher Loretta Mickley of
Harvard
University's Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences stated it in
a
report on air pollution that was published last month. As the
atmosphere
continues to warm, cold fronts from Canada would be blocked, resulting
in a
build up of stagnant, ozone polluted air to accumulate over the
Northwest
and Midwest. "If the climate model is correct," she said, "global
warming
would cause an increase in difficult days for those affected by ozone
pollution, such as people suffering with respiratory illnesses like
asthma
and those doing physical labor or exercising outdoors," In the middle
latitudes, low-pressure systems and accompanying cold fronts help
redistribute heat by carrying warm air to the poles and replacing it
with
cool air. Warming slows that process down, Mickley's team found. The
increase in pollution resulting from this more sluggish ventilating
system
is estimated at 20% by or before mid century.
(rewritten from an article in Planet Ark, "Environmental News",
2/21/05)
Hotter Water
New data introduced at the annual gathering of the American Association
for
the Advancement of Science show that 4,800 cubic miles of fresh water
has
melted from the Artic ice and has drifted into the U.S. Northeast and
Northern Europe. This is absolutely consistent with the climate models
predictions based on readings over the past 40 years.
Researchers from Scripts Institution of Oceanography say that the
oceanic
warming that we are seeing is due to "natural climate variability,
solar
radiation, volcanic activity and greenhouse warming" which pose a
threat to
the conveyer belt of currents that regulate ocean temperature and keep
climate temperate.
(For full article, see: Knight-Ridder, Seth
Borenstein,
17 Feb 2005 http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/10927575.htm)
FACING FACTS
Current Statistics
* The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) believes that todayís carbon dioxide levels
are the highest theyíve been in 20 million years and will rise to 970 parts per million by the year
2100. In the last 100 years, CO2 levels have risen from 280 ppm to 368ppm.
* At the current rate, all the glaciers in Glacier National Park will be gone by the year 2070.
More than 5,400 square miles of ice (the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined) have
broken off since 1995.
* Global warming means expanded area where mosquitoes can survive: In 1990s malaria outbreaks
occurred in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas. In 1999 West
Nile virus arrived in the U.S. and is spreading rapidly.
GOOD NEWS
Bush Warming to the Issue?
President Bush agreed to help developing nations such as China and
India cut
back on their fast-growing output of the greenhouse gases linked to
global
warming by helping them acquire more energy-efficient technologies.
This,
the analysts say, may be a significant move in terms of global warming
because, "China is building a new 1,000-megawatt power plant every week
with
old, Eisenhower-era technology, " said Douglas Ogden, director of the
China
program at the Energy Foundation in San Francisco. "They're going to
keep
building the oldest, dirtiest plants unless we do something. The world
can
ill afford even one greenhouse gas producer on the U.S. scale, let
alone
two."
While this pledge, the details for which were not given, may give some
relief to the criticism to the Bush Administrationís refusal to sign on
to
the Kyoto Protocol, there is implicit in the action the suggestion that
Bush
is acknowledging the need for world cooperation in addressing global
warming.
(See the full article in the March 1, 2005 Chronicle: Bush
signs on
to help clean air in China, India U.S.-Germany pact to cut coal
emissions
- Robert Collier, Chronicle Staff Writer,
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/02/26/MNGKVBHHQ51.DTL)
The Wave of the Future
"Wave energy is an emerging energy source that may add a viable
generation
option to the strategic portfolio, "said Hank Courtright, EPRI's vice
president, Generation and Distributed Resources. "The bedrock of a
robust
electricity system is a diversity of energy sources, and wave energy
could
provide an energy source that is consistent with our national needs and
goals." The Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto published a
report early in February stating that wave energy conversion may be
economically feasible in the near future. Wave energy conversion is
believed to be one of the most environmentally friendly ways of
generating
electricity known. "Processes in the ocean concentrate solar and wind
energy into ocean waves, making it easier and cheaper to harvest. Solar
and
wind energy sources are much more diffuse, by comparison." The
offshore
wave energy reports are currently available.
Green the Queen
The Church of England has joined the battle against global warming.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will unveil his green vision
for the
church and begin discussion on the issue of climate change during a
General
Synod meeting held on Feb. 17, the day after the Kyoto Protocol went
into
effect. In an accompanying report titled "Sharing God's Planet,"
Williams
asks that each parish complete an "ecological audit" and introduce
green
policies, such as using organic bread and wine for Holy Communion,
selling
fairly traded products at church events, car pooling, and recycling
waste.
He also recommends that Christians adopt "sustainable consumption" and
recognize their duty to "celebrate and care for every part of God's
creation."
(For complete article, go to The Independent, Robert Verkaik, 3 Feb
2005:
http://m1e.net/c?33998031-mo0oxZc3ZfXLY%40875685-Dvr8AsPHE.bwM)
Check out the new tower of London: itís green!
www.fypower.org e-Newswire #533
ACTION ALERT
California Coalition for Energy Efficiency Update & Alert
PUC Sides with Utilities -
But Millions of Dollars Still Available for
Cities and Counties Local Energy Efficiency Programs
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 3-0 on January
27 to
give utilities control of all energy efficiency programs, ignoring a
barrage
of letters and calls from ratepayers, city and county officials and
legislators.
However, the CPUC's decision also said it may "revisit" the question of
utilities controlling energy efficiency in Community Choice cities.
(Community Choice, passed in 2002, allows cities and counties to leave
the
utility system to purchase energy supplies, including solar/wind and
energy
efficiency.) Sen. Migden is also considering carrying a bill
reasserting
Community Choice cities' control of energy efficiency, among other
things.
The Coalition for Energy Efficiency is encouraging members and
activists to
work with your city/county officials request funds for their own
communities
from the PUC to run local efficiency programs. Millions of dollars are
available to cities and counties to reduce energy consumption, lower
bills,
and create local jobs. Nearly 50 cities and counties in California are
now
either considering or in the process of requesting these funds and
becoming
"community choice" cities. Those cities and counties include: San
Francisco,
Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo, Pleasanton, Marin County, and
Santa
Cruz.
Below is a sample letter for your city council member (or county
supervisor):
Dear City Councilmember:
I am writing to urge you to take advantage of the California Community
Choice law, which provides an historic opportunity for cities and
counties
to take the lead in moving toward green energy and improved energy
efficiency. In spite of the recent decision by the CPUC, cities still
have
the right to apply for energy efficiency funds from the CPUC. I urge
you to
place our city on the "community choice" track, making us eligible for
millions of dollars to reduce electricity consumption, lower bills, and
create local jobs.
If you have any questions please contact the California Coalition for
Energy
Efficiency, at
http://m1e.net/c?33998031-0LrQRG.w1CX3Q%40875686-pC2FUoksRFNWg or
415-330-9844.
Thank you for considering this request,
Sincerely,
[Your Name
Your Address]
CIPL NEWS
Two Important CIPL Op Ed Articles Appeared in Print
And in the news! In response to the groundbreaking ratification of the
Kyoto Protocol on February 16, The San Francisco Chronicle carried the
Rev.
Sally Binghamís op ed calling for the Bush Administration to join the
141
countries who have agreed to lower emissions
to below 1990 levels, as prescribed by the Protocol. Likewise, the
Sacramento Bee carried a similar editorial by Sally Bingham and CIPL
Executive Director, Tom Bourne. Both pieces raised the moral, ethical
and
theological basis for joining the world community in its efforts to
arrest
the climate change threat that will dramatically impact so many of the
worldís poor as well as created economic turmoil and human health risk
at
home.
To read the full Sacramento Bee article, please go to:
A Religious Call to save our Environment
To read Sally Binghamsís article in the Chronicle, go to:
Kyoto Protocal Debuts / Should religion have a voice?(pdf)
pdf
Clergy Speakers Bureau
CIPL is establishing a Speakers Bureau in the greater San Francisco Bay
Area
and will train and compensate clergy who will go out into the faith
community, making presentations on behalf of CIPL membership.
Presentations
would be limited in number, as directed by the clergy and would be in
near
geographic proximity to the pastorís congregation or home. CIPL
recognizes
the importance of clergy speaking out on this number one threat to
Creation.
If you would be willing to make a limited number of presentations,
please
email susans@interfaithpower.org .
COOL TIPS
* Opening the door on your dishwasher to let the dishes air dry can cut your
dishwasherís
energy use (and cost) by 40%.
8 An 8-minute shower compared with a 10-minute shower will save 300
gallons of
water
per month. Thatís 300 gallons you donít have to heat!
* Washing your clothes in warm or cold water will cut your energy usage
50%
(80% of the
electricity a washing machine uses goes towards heating the
water!)
EVENTS
Come and learn how little changes can make a big difference!
City of Berkeleyís Green Expo:
Learn to make your home healthy and energy-efficient in one day!
The City of Berkeley is hosting a free Green Home EXPO and Energy Symposium on
Saturday, April 30th beginning at 12 noon in Civic Center Park, next to the regular Farmer's Market on Center Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. This free event includes lectures on home energy conservation, sustainable and non-toxic building products, global warming, and consumer's impact our San Francisco Bay.
Visit the event website at www.GreenHomeEXPO.org or call Alice La Pierre, City of Berkeley Energy Analyst and Event Organizer at 510-981-5435, or email: Energy@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Sacramento CIPL Working Group
Monday March 7th
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
St. John's Lutheran Church
1701 L Street
Sacramento, Califronia
RSVP to Tom Bourne
916-442-5447 ext. 13
tom@interfaithpower.org
Creating the Climate
Building the Movement to Stop Global Warming
March 11-13, 2005
Malibu, Califronia
Featuring workshops and prominent keynote speakers on global warming and related environmental stewardship issues. Don't miss it. For information please call Susan Cox at 310-439-2236 or gogreenpowergirl@aol.com
The Build It Green Home Tour
Sunday, May 1, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Several volunteers are needed to staff each of the 30 homes on tour located in both Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Learn first hand about the benefits of green homes and help spread the excitement to the hundreds of folks on the tour.
Volunteer Benefits:
Volunteers will receive a volunteer orientation packet that includes details about the agreed upon house assignment, the home's green features, homeowner contact information as well as a tour T-shirt (to be worn on tour day) and of course the free tour guide book (your admission ticket for the tour) and other related materials. Volunteer shifts are only 4 hours which gives you plenty of time to visit homes either before or after your shift.
The Build It Green Home Tour Contact Information:
For Contra Costa County
Please contact Michele Brown at 510-845-5106
ext.
230.
The Volunteer Orientation Meeting will be: Tuesday, April 26th from
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For Alameda County
Please contact Meri Soll at 510-614-1699.
The Volunteer Orientation Meeting will be: Wednesday, April 20th from
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
*****************************
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
“And God saw everything that He made, and found it very good.
And He said: This is a beautiful world that I have given you.
Take good care of it; do not ruin it.
It is said: Before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating
worlds and destroying them. Finally He created this one,
and was satisfied. He said to Adam: This is the last world I shall
make. I place it in your hands: hold it in trust.”
Jewish Prayer from "Earth Prayers from Around the World"
|
