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.
A Prayer for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina
O God of compassion, we pray for all those who have been devastated
by the fury of hurricane, Katrina. In this time of unspeakable calamity,
we pray for those who have lost their loved ones, lost their homes and
property, those who are feeling immeasurable despair and grief. We pray
for those who wake to the reality of this catastrophic trauma. We pray
for those who cannot sleep now and who will carry the memories of their
losses into the nights ahead. We pray for all those who feel or are lost and
abandoned in the midst of this chaos. Give to each of these, your children,
your loving comfort. Give them strength and courage and patience and
hope. Feed the hunger in their bodies as well as the hunger in their
hearts and help them to find peace.
Grant too, O God, that those of us who watch in helplessness may find
ways to reach out to our brothers and sisters. May we give with
generosity to the efforts to sustain, rebuild and repair lives.
Help us to be participants in a spiritual force of love and compassion
that extends across the barriers of time and place.
Amen
Rev. Sally Juarez, September 1st, 2005
HOT TOPICS
World's New Hot Spot: Siberia
The area of Siberia's bog, 11,000 years old, is about the size of France and Germany combined. In the last 40 years, it has warmed faster than almost anywhere on the planet, according to an article in New Scientist magazine, published in August, 2005. Researcher, Sergei Kirpotin, of Tomsk State University in Russia, stated that the "whole western Siberian Sub-Arctic has started to thaw."
The thaw is cause for serious concern, because of the potential release of billions of tons of methane gas, the most potent of the heat-trapping gasses associated with global warming. Kirpotin says that the thaw has all started happening in the last three or four years. He refers to the situation as an "ecological landslide" that is probably irreversible and would have the effect of accelerating global warming.
Scientists are alarmed because the projections made from the climate models which formulate best and worst case scenarios on global warming have not yet factored in the effects of additional quantities of methane gas in the atmosphere from the thawing of the permafrost in Siberia. To read the complete article, click on
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4141348.stm
Breaking the Food Chain
The marine food chain may already be breaking up. What does that mean? How do the scientists know? What are the causes? The evidence is all around those who study the ocean starting with the dramatic decline in the breeding of seabirds in the United States and in England. More alarming is the steep decline in krill, which is the base of the (photo) ocean's food web. Krill in decline mean fewer fish and fewer fish means fewer sea birds and on it goes. Scientific analysis of these declines point to the changes in the ocean's circulation that has been impacted by the melting of the glaciers and the sea ice and the infusion of salty water with fresh and frigid water with warmer water. The usual patterns of the ocean's circulation appear to have been disrupted and all forms of sea life may be affected. To read more about this phenomenon, click on: http://www.oceansalive.org/explore.cfm?subnav=article&contentID=4706
GOOD NEWS:
Pew Center Report on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Emissions Reductions
For an up to the minute report on what is happening around the country on the energy scene, visit the Pew Center website on climate news. Here are some good news highlights:
* New York governor George Pataki signed the Appliance and
Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards Act of 2005. Upgrading
the standards is estimated to save consumers up to 2,096
gigawatt hours of electricity a year
* Illinois adopted a Sustainable Energy Plan in which
utilities agreed to acquire 2% of their energy from
sustainable sources by 2006, add another 1% by every year
until the goal of 8% is reached by 2013.
* Rhode Island passed an Energy and Consumer Savings Act
in July which is expected to reduce annual GHG emissions
by 20,000 tons and save the state $225 million in energy
costs over the next 25 years.
* Montana set renewable energy laws that require that 10%
of the electricity sold in the state come from renewable
sources by 2010 and 15% by 2015
* Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack signed an executive order which
mandates a 15% improvement in energy efficient at state
facilities by 2010 and the procurement of hybrid or alternative
vehicles for non-law enforcement state vehicles.
* North Dakota Governor John Hoeven signed into law a
legislative package that encourages wind power, ethanol
and biodiesel.
For more information on these and other state action which help address climate change, go to:
http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/news.cfm?printVersion=1
A Legal Okay to Say That Global Warming is Not Okay
On Thursday, August 25, 2005, San Francisco Staff Writer, Bob Egelko, published an article on the Federal Court decision ruling in favor of a law suit against two federal agencies, The Overseas Private Investment Corp. and the Export-Import Bank, on allegations that their projects contribute to global warming which is harming human health, endangering the environment and is imposing financial hardship to the plaintiffs which include the cities of Oakland, Arcata, Santa Monica and Bolder, Colorado along with two environmental groups Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. The suit, which was filed in 2002, was ruled on by District Judge Jeffery White despite efforts on the part of the current Administration to get the case dismissed. One contender in the suit, the City of Oakland, alleges that "increased temperatures would endanger the water supply, harm air quality, worsen fire risk and flood low-lying areas, including Oakland International Airport." These claims are consistent with effects projected by climate scientists who study global warming. In supporting the suit, Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown said that the government's violations of environmental law "injure the citizens of Oakland, and every person in this country."
It will be incumbent upon the plaintiffs in the case to prove their claims. In that effort, it seems likely that the issue of government support to private development that may harm the global environment will come into scrutiny.
To read this article in full, click on:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/25/BAGCVECHVJ1.DTL
Cool Moves Towards Environmental Independence
Despite the lack of official U.S. policy to address global warming, on the Northeastern Coast of the U.S., nine states including New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont have all come to a preliminary agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions by freezing current power plant levels now and reducing them by 10% by the year 2020. Meanwhile on the Western Coast, California which has the nation's highest levels of emissions, has joined forces with Washington, Oregon, New Mexico and Arizona to come to a similar agreement. The Northeastern plan would cap at 150 million tons of C02 a year, a figure that averages the levels of the three highest years between 2000 and 2004. Environmentalists affirm the measure as positive first steps, but believe that greater reductions were achievable.
In the same vain, 130 major cities throughout the nation have agreed to conform to the levels outlined by the Kyoto Protocol.
Environmentalists hope that other States will follow suit resulting in a change of policy and a change of heart in Washington.
Synopsis of articles in the New York Times, 24 August, 2005:
http://www.nytimes.com
and the Guardian Newspapers, August 25, 2005 - "Greenhouse Gas Emissions", by Julian Borger http://www.guardian.co.uk
Yours from the DMV: Clean Air Vehicle Stickers
A vehicle that meets specified emissions standards may be issued Clean Air Vehicle Stickers that allow the vehicle to be operated by a single occupant in the carpool (diamond) lanes of California's freeways. (See Vehicle Code ßß5205.5 and 21655.9.) To find out if your vehicle qualifies, check the California Air Resources Board's website. NOTE: Applications are being accepted for hybrids, however, not all hybrids qualify. Please check the ARB website to see if your hybrid qualifies.
How to Apply for Clean Air Vehicle Stickers
1. Complete an Application for Clean Air Vehicle Stickers (REG 1000).
2. If the Clean Air Vehicle is a hybrid and you are a resident of
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo,
Santa Clara, Solano or Sonoma County, you must include an original
receipt from the Bay Area Toll Authority as evidence of a "FasTrak"
toll account.
3. Submit your application, fee, and FasTrak receipt (see above)
to DMV. Mail the completed application to:
Department of Motor Vehicles,
Special Processing Unit MS D238,
PO Box 932345 Sacramento, CA 94232-3450.
Your Clean Air Vehicle Stickers will be mailed to you. Do not drive as a sole occupant in the high-occupancy vehicle (carpool or diamond) lanes until you receive the stickers and affix them to your vehicle. For more information, visit the California Air Resources Board's website.
Write a Letter, Send a Message, Make a Call, Sign a PetitionÖ
The struggle to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling will culminate in a vote by mid-September. The vote is expected to be a very close. Let your Senators and Representatives know that you want them to vote against the provision to the Budget Reconciliation Bill that would permit drilling for oil in the region.
Find out more and sign the Care 2 petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/297924977?z00m=35064&z00m=35064<l=1125527483
CIPL NEWS
CIPL'S FEATURED FAITH COMMUNITY: The San Francisco Zen Center
They wanted to be a model for other San Francisco organizations and businesses to invest in renewable energy resources and thus lighten their environmental impact. That is why the San Francisco Zen Center went solar, installing a $151,500 system, doing much of the work themselves through volunteer labor.
The Solar Project at San Francisco Center is a step toward putting the city center on a par with their Ventana Wilderness Center, Tassajara, which produces all of its own energy and is entirely off of the grid. City Center also models the ethic of living in rapport with the environment in the fullest sense. Guided by the leadership of their Sustainability Committee, City Center examines every aspect of how their presence could cause harm to the environment and then works to eliminate the harm and its causes. Wishing to reduce their environmental footprint, they scrutinize their use of water, electricity and gas in order to eliminate waste of these resources. In an article for their newsletter entitled, 'The Karma of City Living', Timothy O'Conner Fraser and Vince Mazzi further describe the examination ofÖ "our transportation practices, our food purchasing decisions and consumption, and the cleaning/building products we use."
The City Center has also begun the long an ongoing process of converting to energy efficient appliances and using only low-VOC paints (the low volatile organic compounds) that are required for hospitals, schools and elder care facilities. The decision was also made to replace old carpets with non-synthetic, natural fiber ones. Of course, City Center also uses LED exit signs and lights up their environmentally friendly world with CFLs!
 Green Gulch Farm, also known as Green Dragon Temple, is the third of S.F. Zen Center's three practice centers. It is located in Marin County, north of San Francisco, with access to the Pacific Ocean. The emphasis at Green Gulch is implied in its name. It is truly a green place where groups of children and seniors flock every year to better understand what it means to be "a good steward of the land." Green Gulch's lush organic gardens put visitors back in touch with where our food really comes from (and it's not Safeway!) and how to care for the earth.
A recent project at Green Gulch, of which their residents are very proud, was the community building of a new garden shed. The structure, which many confess they would like to live in, was made entirely of natural materials. Describing the building process, Green Gulch resident Sukey Palmerly writes that the experience involved, "Öusing your feet to mix a pile of pulverized clay, sand, water, and rice straw into a stiff texture that can then be formed by hand into small "loaves". The construction also included the use of straw bales made of waste from rice harvests. The shed was topped off with a "living roof" which incorporated growing plants that will help absorb water when the winter rains descend.
All three practice centers are dedicated to conservation practices and environmental health. CIPL is proud to welcome all three practice centers as new members of the CIPL community and encourage our other members to visit these wonderful places of rest and renewal to bask in the ambiance of harmony with the natural world.
FACING FACTS:
* In 1970 the United States imported 34% of its oil. In 2000 we imported
54%. The government predicts that we will need to import as much as
75 % by the year 2010.
* The World Bank estimates that global electricity use will jump from
3.2 million megawatts in 2000 to 5.0 megawatts by 2020. At this rate,
expects predict that we will run out of fossil fuel by the year 2060.
* The burning of fossil fuel represents 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide
emissions. 90% of the electricity in the U.S. is derived from burning
fossil fuel which produces the inferior air quality linked with 64,000
premature deaths each year.
COOL TIPS
* Seek Out the Green Energy Options: Electricity is responsible for
more than a third of the CO2 emissions in the U.S. More and more
utility companies are offering their customers the option to buy
green energy. If your utility company does not currently offer it,
keep asking for it!
* The World Bank predicts that the solar electricity market will be
worth four trillion dollars by 2030. (Early investing in renewable
energy will help the environment and your stock portfolio!)
* Spending one extra dollar a month for renewable energy through a
green pricing program will result in 650 lbs. of CO2 emissions a year
not emitted into the atmosphere.
Cool Movie Tip: A Must See: "March of the Penguins", Narrated by Morgan Freeman
Click here to see movie web site:http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/
EVENTS
San Diego CIPL Working Group (RECAP) Meeting
Thursday, September 8th
Noon
Ecumenical Council of San Diego
Conference Room (in the Disciples Center)
1880 Third Avenue
San Diego, California
(Feel free to bring your lunch)
RSVP to Tom Bourne
916-442-5447 ext. 13
tom@interfaithpower.org
Sacramento CIPL Working Group
Monday, September 12th
Noon - 1:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church
2nd Floor Conference Room
1701 L Street
Sacramento, California
RSVP to Rev. Dexter McNamara
916-448-2212
dexter@isbsacramento.org
Interfaith Leaders Breakfast in Contra Costa
Thursday, September 22nd
8:15 AM
Co-sponsored by CIPL and Interfaith Council of Contra Costa
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane
Walnut Creek, California
RSVP to Rev. Sally Juarez
(510) 763-4217
outreach@interfaithpower.org
NorCalSolar 2005 Solar Homes Tours
Saturday, October 1st
in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco,
Oakland, Santa Rosa and Fresno.
For more information,
click here: http://www.norcalsolar.org
Energy Efficient Light Bulb Exchange
Sponsored by CIPL & SDG&E
Saturday, October 1st
10AM - 2 PM
First Lutheran Church Parking Lot
1420 3rd Avenue
San Diego, California
Click here to download more information on the event
La Puente Health Fair
Saturday, October 8th
11:00-3:00 PM
Del Haven Christian Church
15302 E. Francisquito Avenue
La Puente, California 91744
Baldwin Park Health Fair
October 15th
10:00 a.m. ñ 2:00 p.m.
ÝFirst Christian Church
4161 Baldwin Park Blvd
Baldwin Park, Califorina
Interfaith Leaders Breakfast in Richmond
Tuesday, October 18th
8:15 AM
Co-sponsored by GRIP (Greater Richmond Interfaith Program)
Easter Hill United Methodist Church
3911 Cutting Blvd.
Richmond, Califorina
RSVP to Rev. Sally Juarez
(510) 763-4217
outreach@interfaithpower.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 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month's edition. Email Sally Juarez at outreach@interfaithpower.org.
CLOSING REFLECTION
“As a mother with her own life guards the life of her own child,
let all-embracing thoughts for all that lives be thine.”
- Buddhism
Khuddaka Patha, Metta Sutta
The CIPL E-Newsletter is produced by:
California Interfaith Power & Light
2715 K Street, Suite D
Sacramento, CA 95816
916-442-5447
www.interfaithpower.org
Sally Juarez
Outreach Director
outreach@interfaithpower.org
Tom Bourne
Executive Director
tom@interfaithpower.org
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