Friday, March 11
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Click here for more info and to RSVP
The Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion (ESR) graduate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is hosting a one-day conference to invite leaders of environmental organizations and public land managers into dialogue with faculty and students of Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Theology departments. Together, these scholar-practitioners will explore the transformational possibilities of incorporating ecological concerns into religious education and integrating spiritual perspectives into environmental protection and activism. CIIS envisions the conference and network as catalysts for scholarly growth of the Religion and Ecology field, effective regional organizing, and the professional development of CIIS graduate students and the greater Bay Area. Keynote by Yale’s Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker additional speakers include Dr. Robert McDermott, Dr. Richard Norgaard, Professor of Energy and Resources, UC Berkeley, Dr. Sean Kelly, Professor of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Dr. Faith Kearns, Academic Coordinator, California Institute for Water Resources, Eijun Linda Cutts, Central Abbess, San Francisco Zen Center, Laura Dev, Doctoral Student in Environmental Science, Policy, & Management at UC Berkeley
Faith Against Coal in Oakland
Coal Export Faith Rally and Poll Release
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Contact: April Thomas, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, april.thomas@sierraclub.org, 206-321-3850
Rev. Will Scott, California Interfaith Power & Light, will@interfaithpower.org, (415) 391-4214
Margaret Rossoff, No Coal in Oakland, margaretmft@gmail.com, (510) 653-3236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2016
Faith Leaders Unite in Opposition to Oakland Coal Exports
New Poll Reveals that over 75 percent of Oakland Voters Oppose Export Proposal
Oakland, Calif. – Today, leaders from diverse faith communities came together to oppose the proposal to export coal through Oakland, and to call on the Oakland City Council to protect their communities by standing up to out of state coal companies. At the faith leaders rally, which was followed by a prayer vigil, the Sierra Club also released a new poll that found that 76 percent of Oakland voters oppose the coal export proposal.
The poll found that 47 percent of Oakland voters have heard about the proposal to transport coal through their city, and these voters are decidedly against it. After hearing arguments from both sides, an overwhelming 76 percent of voters say they oppose the proposal. This includes a majority (57%) who oppose it “strongly.” The poll suggests that this issue will be important to 2016 voters; 48 percent of respondents say they would be more likely to vote for a Councilmember who opposes coal, while just 17 percent would be less likely.
“No community, rich or poor, should endure the effects of coal. But the environmental inequity of the coal terminal proposal cannot be disregarded,” said Rev. Kenneth Chambers, pastor of West Side Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. “West Oakland already bears a disproportionate burden of pollution, of toxic contamination from diesel exhaust spewing from thruways crisscrossing through the community. Life expectancy of West Oakland residents is far below the life expectancy of residents in the Oakland hills, and West Oakland tenants are twice as likely to visit emergency rooms for asthma as the rest of Alameda County. The West Oakland community cannot afford to have any more pollution dumped on us. We ask the City Council to stand with us over polluters and profits.”
Faith leaders have been deeply engaged in the campaign to stop coal exports in Oakland. Congregations throughout Oakland have hosted teach-ins on the health, safety and climate impacts of coal. In addition to local Oakland clergy, prominent Bay Area faith leaders from the Jewish, Roman Catholic and Episcopal communities including the Executive Director of the Northern California Board of Rabbis, Rabbi Marv Goodman, former President of the Jesuit School of Theology, Thomas Massaro, and Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus, have all spoken out against coal and signed onto a letter drafted by California Interfaith Power & Light, urging the City Council to ban coal exports.
“As a resident of West Oakland, a person with respiratory challenges and a faith leader, I am profoundly concerned about the health and environmental impacts of transporting coal through our city,” said Archdeacon of the diocese of California, Carolyn Bolton. “I strongly oppose the development of a coal terminal in our already vulnerable and highly impacted community.”
“Oakland should not be involved in shipping coal overseas, since this fossil fuel is the major contributor to climate change,” said Margaret Rossoff of the Sunflower Alliance. “Coal needs to be left in the ground and replaced with renewable resources.”
“This poll clearly demonstrates what we’ve learned from our conversations on the ground with Oaklanders,” said Brittany King of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club. “Oakland residents do not want dirty coal exports in their city. The City Council has the legal authority to ban coal due to the health and safety risk this dangerous commodity poses to Oakland residents. It’s time for our elected leaders to make it clear that they stand with the 76% of Oakland voters who oppose coal exports in Oakland.”
Background: A portion of the former Oakland Army Base is being developed as a bulk export facility, known as the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT). CCIG, the developer, promised not include coal as a commodity handled by the terminal, but now they are soliciting a partnership with four Utah counties that could allow the state to export up to 10 million tons of coal from their mines each year. A Utah funding body approved $53 million to buy space at Oakland Bulk Terminal for these exports. This deal is being conducted behind the backs of the Oakland City Council and the Port, both of oppose coal as a commodity for shipping in Oakland. Additionally, the developer promised residents that the city-owned port would be coal free. While the Mayor, members of the council and residents have demanded a stop to these talks, the developer has yet to abandon the plans.
Those opposing the plan to export coal through Oakland have voiced concerns over how this decision will affect the community’s safety, the environment, and public health. According to a national train company, each open-top rail car of coal can lose up to one ton of dust between the mines and the port, resulting in the release of 60,000 pounds of toxic fine particulate matter in communities near the rails. Additionally, this deal will stifle California’s strong commitment to cutting carbon pollution, especially as the state continues to suffer from extreme drought, forest fires, and other signs of climate disruption.
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Press Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2016
Contact:
April Thomas, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, april.thomas@sierraclub.org, 206-321-3850
Rev. Will Scott, California Interfaith Power & Light, will@interfaithpower.org, (415) 391-4214
Margaret Rossoff, No Coal in Oakland, margaretmft@gmail.com, (510) 653-3236
ADVISORY: Faith Leaders to Call on Oakland City Council to protect Oaklanders by Banning Coal Exports
New Poll to be Released Demonstrating Widespread Community Opposition to Dangerous Export Proposal
WHAT: At their next Tuesday hearing, the Oakland City Council will vote on funding for a consultant to examine the health and safety impacts of coal exports at the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT). Faith leaders will gather before the hearing to express their opposition to coal exports, and to release the results of a new poll on the issue. The press conference will be followed by a prayer vigil by faith leaders and testimony during City Council’s Open Forum.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 16th
4:30 pm: Faith leaders press conference and release of polling results
5:00 pm: Prayer vigil
5:30: Council hearing
WHERE: The front steps of Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
WHO: Faith leaders including Reverend Ken Chambers, Reverend Chauncey Mathews, Reverend Curtis Robinson, Reverend Daniel Buford, Reverend Kwasi Thornell, Reverend Ben Daniel, Reverend Laura Manning, Reverend BK Woodson, Reverend Debra Avery and Rabbi David Cooper.
Background: A portion of the former Oakland Army Base is being developed as a bulk export facility. CCIG, the developer, promised not to export coal, but now they are soliciting a partnership with four Utah counties that could allow the state to export up to 10 million tons of coal from their mines each year. A Utah funding body approved $53 million to buy space at OBOT for these exports. This deal is being conducted behind the back of the Oakland City Council, which has rejected the transportation of coal through the city – as has the Port of Oakland and the longshore workers’ union. Additionally, the developer promised residents that the city-owned facility would be coal free. While the Mayor, members of the council and residents have demanded a stop to these talks, the developer has yet to abandon the plans.
Those opposing the plan to export coal through Oakland have voiced concerns over how this decision will affect the community’s safety, the environment, and public health. Transporting the coal via rail car to the port will increase train traffic and pollution in an area already overburdened by bad air. A study from Alameda County Public Health found that the life expectancy for someone born and raised in West Oakland, where the facility would be located, is at least 10 years less than someone born and raised in the Oakland Hills. West Oakland residents are already twice as likely to go to the emergency room with asthma as people in Alameda County overall. According to a national train company, each open-top rail car of coal can lose up to one ton of dust between the mines and the port, resulting in the release of 60,000 pounds of toxic fine particulate matter in communities near the rails.
This deal will also undercut California’s strong commitment to cutting carbon pollution, especially as the state continues to suffer from extreme drought, forest fires, and other signs of climate disruption.
CIPL’s Faith Against Coal Sign-On Letter Updated Feb. 16
Recent News Coverage:
Coal Money Divides Oakland’s Churches
Oakland religious leaders urge city council to reject plan to export coal
Seasonal Resources
COP 21 & Beyond – NorCal Interfaith Gathering
On Friday, January 8th California Interfaith Power & Light hosted a Post-COP21 NorCal Interfaith Gathering with 50 faith leaders from Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa County Counties, San Francisco, the 
Peninsula, Sacramento and Stockton. Participants heard from IPL Founder & President The Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, Bishop Marc Handley Andrus of the Episcopal Diocese of California, and Jesse Simons, Chief of Staff for the Sierra Club reflect on the Paris Agreement. Echoing the words of Secretary of State John Kerry each presenter in different ways acknowledged that the historic multinational agreement is the floor and not the ceiling. Simons powerfully utilized a river metaphor from a recent family vacation and encouraged attendees to keep paddling toward that clean energy future. Andrus described the unique “pop-up” worship services he organized and other activities engaged in by faith leaders at the COP. Bingham said that she has never been more hopeful in her more than 20 years of work on climate change.
The second panel focused on the questions of “what now?” and began with Sarah Shanley Hope of the Solutions Project describing her organizations vision for a 100 percent clean energy for all. Rev. Ken Chambers of West Side Missionary Baptist Church spoke of the local campaign to keep coal exports out of Oakland. Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action Network’s Debbie Mytels offered examples of how regional working groups can provide robust local programming and advocacy. Following the panel 
discussions and Q & A, participants gathered in groups based on their congregation’s region to discuss possibilities for greater collaboration in 2016. Rabbi Jonathan Singer invited participants to attend Congregation Emanu-El’s evening service where his message linked the story of Moses with the important work of speaking truth to power on climate change. Thank you to Congregation Emanu-El, the United Religions Initiative, panelists and attendees for helping kick off 2016 with an inspiring gathering.
On January 20 in Pasadena, CIPL will host a unique event, combining education on El Nino, an overview of COP 21 and a consideration of next steps for people of faith featuring the perspectives of Dr. William Patzert, climate scientist at NASA/JPL, and Dr. Ellen Druffel, marine chemist at UC Irvine. The gathering will take place at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church and is co-hosted by the Arroyo Interfaith Environmental Coalition, a CIPL regional working group with members from the Episcopalian, Mennonite, Methodist, Quaker, Jewish, Pagan, Presbyterian, Baha’i, United Church of Christ communities. Click here to RSVP and to learn more. Click here to see other upcoming events.
IPL is continuing to promote the Paris Pledge. This ongoing campaign is a practical way in which individuals and congregations can commit to implementing the type of measures that are needed globally to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The pledge provides strategies to reduce your carbon pollution by 50% by 2030 and be carbon-neutral by 2050. Click here for more information and to sign up. A list of more than 4500 individuals and congregations who signed the pledge prior to COP21 were presented in Paris by Sister Joan Brown of New Mexico IPL, IPL Executive Director Susan Stephenson, and President, The Rev. Sally Bingham on an 11-foot scroll which will now hang in the US State Department.
As CIPL looks ahead into 2016 we anticipate expansion of our local working groups and increased advocacy in Sacramento. We are working on an updated solar resource guide as well as a series of webinars featuring congregations who have recently installed photovoltaic systems. CIPL is continuing to monitor the devastating natural gas leak in Southern California and is increasing our engagement at the local level to ensure that regional Air Resource Boards make regulatory decisions based on strong health, safety and environmental recommendations.
Climate Change Agreement Overview, Next Steps, and California Faith Role
On Saturday, in the most historic moment for climate action yet, 195 countries reached an agreement to stave off the worst effects of climate change. The agreement outlines commitments and actions that will lead to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, and investment in clean energy. The document included the critical goal of limiting global temperatures to well-under 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a review process, and financial support for developing countries.
Preceding the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21) are two decades of committed work from the faith community and other sectors of society. In addition, recent happenings served to highlight the importance of working to reduce climate change effects, including the proposed EPA Clean Power Plan; the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, and California’s recent legislative commitment to renewable energy with the passage of SB 350. All these actions and more helped make this historic agreement possible.
The impressive commitments made by large polluting countries could not have happened without global pressure from multiple sectors of society on governments to take the climate crisis seriously. The advocacy and support for climate action by faith community members in the world’s eighth largest economy and our nation’s most populous and diverse state made a profound difference.
Interfaith Power & Light had many representatives “on the ground” in Paris, including our network founder and president, Sally Bingham and executive director, Susan Stephenson. They delivered a presentation, along with Sr. Joan Brown of New Mexico IPL, that gave witness to the robust spiritual commitment, grassroots engagement and moral influence of the US faith community to addressing the climate crisis.
Going Forward: The Role of the California Faith Community
While there are many reasons to celebrate this agreement, the hard work of strengthening and implementing the accord now begins. For us in California, that means increasing our efforts to implement strong and equitable state and local policies that may serve as models for other states and nations. We must continue to amplify the voices and perspectives of faith communities, especially those most impacted by poor air quality, drought and extreme weather events. California state and federal policy makers need to hear from many more congregations and faith leaders about the importance of increasing renewable energy production, reducing pollution and protecting community health. Due to our heavy reliance on cars, California still produces more greenhouse gas emissions per person than almost anywhere else in the world despite being viewed by many as a climate champion. We must renew and enhance our efforts to get off of all fossil fuels as soon as possible, through increasing access to and the affordability of electric vehicles and expanding public transit options. Efforts to ban fracking and other extreme forms of oil and gas extraction need our support. We must end the export of coal from our coastline, and we most certainly must not allow a new, large facility for that purpose to be developed in Oakland. This historic agreement, indeed, inspires greater personal and collective commitment to caring for our common home.
In a press release issued by Interfaith Power & Light, Rev. Sally Bingham states, “The world witnessed a breakthrough in Paris today, with all countries acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind requiring immediate action…There is much work to do to reach this goal, and U.S. faith communities will continue to advocate for stronger action from our government and financing for the most vulnerable.”
CIPL staff, regional working groups and member congregations already have events planned for the year ahead that will increase our network’s impact and mobilize even more faith communities for climate justice and clean energy. In the mean time, we encourage you to read the 21-page agreement for yourself and bring the message to your communities.
Further links and opportunities for action:
**The 5 most important components of the Paris climate agreement – Mashable – 12.12.15 – major points of agreement and areas of much-needed action
**Nations Approve Landmark Climate Accord in Paris – NY Times – 12.12.15 – good overview
**Blog of Sr. Joan Brown of New Mexico IPL
Previous Post: December 7:
Be part of the Action During and After the Climate Talks! Sign the Congregational and Individual Paris Pledge
The second week of UN climate negotiations have begun and Interfaith Power & Light is in the house! IPL’s President, The Rev. Sally Bingham, Executive Director, Susan Stephenson, and IPL New Mexico Executive Director Joan Brown will give a presentation on the role of U.S. faith communities in combating climate change and educating others to do the same.
Excellent pages from the faith point of view to keep up with during the talks:
**Sr. Joan Brown’s as she chronicles the highlights of the conference
**IPL’s tumblr page with posts by Rev. Bingham and others
**Texas IPL’s facebook page with experiences, including short videos that capture the significance of this event
**California Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus, a strong supporter of climate and energy policy and of CIPL. His Twitter handle is @bishopmarc.com.
Negotiators have their work cut out for them this week. A draft agreement, submitted last weekend, will be worked out as the week progresses. Though many of the same issues to be worked out exist as in previous years, the mood is reported to be more positive than in the past, especially in the Copenhagen talks of 2009. Issues that will most likely exist past this week are: funding for mitigation and adaptation measures in developing countries; 2 degrees vs. 1.5 degrees Celsius limit by 2100; stringency of reporting measures for emissions reductions; and the role of fossil-fuel based countries.
There is great excitement around the legislative action taken in California. Governor Jerry Brown and other signers of the Under 2 MOU have taken the spotlight several times at the UN Climate Talks, serving as an example of strong, committed action. Understanding that significant emissions reductions is not an “all at once” event, Governor Brown stated that “…it’s day after day, fashioning and implementing actions.”
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, supporter of the Under 2 MOU initiative, and her commitment to strong climate and energy policies are excellent examples of how local state action can influence the climate talks and implementation of an agreement. Recent support for Oakland’s “No Coal” campaign from various sectors, including strong advocacy from the faith sector, has made news headlines. In a December 7 press release of mayors and governors’ support of strong action at COP21, Mayor Schaaf states, “We are excited to pursue our ambitious climate action goals, and support the the Under 2 MOU in alinging subnational governments around these commitments. Oakland proudly supports fellow governments in making and acieving tangible commitments, and to prove that success in meeting these goals is possible.”
Previous Post: November 30
Today (November, 30) the UN Climate Talks Conference of Parties 21 (COP 21), began outside Paris. The site of recent tragedy, from which the city and world are still recovering, the international community is standing together for a more sustainable and healthier world.
Check out the national IPL blog page, featuring stories directly from Climate Talks attendees.
California leadership will be front and center, offering proven examples of successful legislation and action, which has led to a decrease in carbon emissions while creating jobs. The role of the faith community will be highlighted as well, with Interfaith Power & Light’s President, The Rev. Sally Bingham and Executive Director, Susan Stephenson, making a presentation on faith action alongside Sr. Joan Brown, Executive Director of New Mexico IPL. Follow their journey by clicking here.
As people of faith involved in and committed to responding to the threat of climate change, the following are notable companions in this historic journey over the next two weeks:
- A handy “guide” from Mother Jones about the what’s, why’s and who’s of the Climate Talks
- Ways for you and your house of worship to implement the principles of caring for Creation and to help avoid the worst effects of climate change provided by
- Read about the last dozen years of climate action from one Catholic’s perspective, CIPL staff member Allis Druffel, highlighting major events that got us to this point.
The UN Climate Talks are widely seen as a “good start but not enough.” 2016 will be a time for increased international action, strengthening action coming out of the talks from multiple sectors of society. CIPL and its state affiliate colleagues are already planning for “post-Paris” action, working to build upon the momentum garnered.
In solidarity, multiple rallies were held all over the globe, with advocates demanding successful action in Paris. The rallies, including those sponsored by state IPL’s, were especially significant in light of the fact that a massive mobilization rally in Paris was cancelled due to the recent attacks.
Check out an inspiring video from Minnesota IPL on their Climate Mobilization March November 28, and pictures from other nation-wide rallies below.
Related articles:
“COP21: Rallies call for Paris climate change action” – 11.29.15 – BBC News
“Tens of thousands protest around globe ahead of Paris climate talks” – 11.29.15 – AlJazeera America
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