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In this Newsletter:
CIPL Energy Oscars December 11th in Berkeley
SoCal Fires Emit Tons of Greenhouse Gases
Lieberman-Warner Climate Bill introduced
Greenland's Ice Melting and Climate Changing
Victory for 3 CIPL supported bills
*CIPL Energy Oscars December 11th
in Berkeley*
Announcing the CIPL Energy Oscars , an awards ceremony and
special evening recognizing the work of outstanding CIPL member
congregations in fulfilling the CIPL Congregational Covenant
to address global warming in the faith community.
Tuesday, December 11th at 7pm
First Congregational Church, Berkeley
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA
Hosted by Rev. Sally Bingham, with special guests.
Prize categories include: - Education - Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy – Policy
Suggested donation $25, $15 for CIPL members. No one turned
away for lack of funds.
*SoCal Fires Emit Tons of Greenhouse
Gases*
Satellite image of fires and Santa Ana winds.
The major news of the past few weeks was the Southern California
wildfires. We extend our support and sympathy to those who
were affected.
According to the Associated Press, in one week, Southern
California's wildfires spewed the same amount of carbon dioxide
— the primary global warming gas — as the state's
power plants and vehicles did, scientists figure. The California
Air Resources Board and others estimated emissions from the
fires were between 6 and 8.7 million tons.
The board estimates that for every acre burned, the carbon
dioxide emissions are equivalent to two cars driven for a
year, said board spokesman Stanley Young. More than half a
million acres have burned in Southern California.
Wildfires can negate the carbon sequestering effects of forests,
since the carbon that was taken from the atmosphere is released
back into it through fire. The large amount emitted raises
questions about the long-term effectiveness of “carbon
offsets” involving planting trees.
*Lieberman-Warner Climate Bill introduced*
U.S. Senators Lieberman and Warner recently introduced America's
Climate Security Act, which includes a cap-and-trade system
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
California Interfaith Power and Light is closely monitoring
this bill. The method of allocation of permits in a cap-and-trade
system can determine who pays when fuel and electricity prices
rise. Auctioning (selling) the permits to companies can raise
revenues that can be invested in low-carbon technologies or
returned to consumers. The bill currently recommends auctioning
(selling) only about 24% of allowances (permits) to polluting
companies in 2012. This represents a major giveaway to the
biggest corporate polluters, including an estimated $268 billion
subsidy to the coal industry. If more permits are auctioned,
the government can return revenues to consumers, especially
low-income households, reducing the regressive impacts. We
hope to work with Senator Boxer and the Environment &
Public Works Committee to ensure that the costs of the program
will not fall on low-income households.
Other faith leaders are also following this bill. The U.S.
Catholic Conference of Bishops, the National Association of
Evangelicals, the National Council of Churches, and the Union
of Reform Judaism have also emphasized the need for U.S. funding
of adaptation efforts in the world's poorest countries that
may be hardest hit by global warming. We'll keep you updated.
*Greenland’s ice melting and
climate changing*
According to a new NASA-sponsored study, melting at the top
of Greenland’s ice sheet was the greatest ever recorded,
150 percent more than average. Scientists report that glaciers
draining the ice cap are picking up speed, while Arctic sea
ice shrank this summer to its smallest extent on record, defying
computer models that suggested such changes would not occur
for decades.
"The rate of melting is just phenomenal," said
Robert Correll, chairman of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment,
an international scientific monitoring project. "We're
adding freshwater to the ocean at a much more rapid rate than
predicted" by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change's most recent estimates, which are based on data through
2005. "Here in south Greenland, we are now approaching
the climate conditions of northern Europe," said local
elder Erik Rode Frederiksen.
*CIPL Member Support Helps Pass
Solar and Clean Fuels Bills Into Law!*
The state will offer rebates for solar hot water systems.
Last month, we asked you to send letters in support of the
Solar Hot Water and Efficiency Act of 2007 to create a statewide
incentive program for small-scale rooftop solar hot water
systems, and a bill that enacts new renewable fuels and vehicle
technologies that reduce fuel consumption. We are happy to
report that both bills were signed into law! Another bill
that CIPL supported which requires lighting efficiency and
reduces lighting energy usage in indoor residences and state
facilities, and reduces the levels of toxins in lighting products
also became law. Congratulations to CIPL members who took
action for another public policy victory!
Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Northern California Events:
Saturday, November 10, 2007, 9:30AM to 3:30PM, Interfaith
Earth Stewardship Conference, First Congregational Church
of Auburn UCC, For more information call 530-885-9087.
Upcoming Southern California Events:
Saturday, November 10, 2007, 1 – 5 p.m.“Global
Warming Made Visible” Renowned American photojournalist
Gary Braasch will present on “Earth Under Fire: How Global
Warming is Changing the World.” Shumei Hall,2430 E. Colorado
Blvd., Pasadena 91107.
More events at the CIPL Blog
Welcome to our new CIPL member congregations!
Transfiguration Episcopal Church
Pacific Unitarian Church
Lafayette Christian Church
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