California Interfaith Power & Light

Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Responsibility.

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COVID-19 – Prayers, Services and Resources

Historically, the faith community has been one religious and social constant in times of upheaval and uncertainty. With the coronavirus threat restricting our usual daily routine, many of us are concerned about the health of loved ones and ourselves; our finances; our job security or, for too many of us, the loss of a job; and social isolation.

The faith community again is here to stand strong in the face of this shared threat, to pray alongside with, to offer practical action opportunities and to provide information on difficult situations faced by our brothers and sisters. In addition to the resources below, if you know of others that may be useful, please send them to CIPL staff.

In addition to the resources below, the National Interfaith Power & Light website has great information. Check out IPL’s COVID-19 webpage here.

Health Information and Updates:
 From the Centers for Disease Control
From the California Department of Public Health
Excellent information from the American Psychological Association

On-going Prayer Services and Words of Comfort: (many houses of worship and organizations are offering online prayers and live-streaming services. The plus side of this is you can attend anywhere – check our CIPL member congregation list to find one and, of course, ascertain  with your own congregation.)


Policy Action: We need to make sure that legislators are poised and will act quickly on pollution reduction and our climate crisis and, indeed, to include appropriate responses now. Cutting air pollution saves lives and can improve respiratory health especially for vulnerable people. Here are some climate issues that you can take action on now and stay aware of:


Social Resources – many of our brothers and sisters have been hard-hit by this pandemic with job loss; financial insecurity; and health challenges. The resources below were provided by the office Senator Henry Stern:

  • If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 you may qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL).
  • If you’re unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for Disability Insurance.
  • Those who have lost a job or have had their hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 may be able to partially recover their wages by filing an unemployment insurance claim.
  • If a worker or a family member is sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine, workers may use accrued paid sick leave in accordance with the law.
  • If workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
  • PG&E Customers – read the latest on non-suspension of services and more
  • East Bay Community Energy Customers – COVID-19 Consumer Protections

 

A celebratory interfaith prayer service accompanied the 2015 Cool Climate Awards
at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland

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2020 Action – Off to a running start

 

from left – Donte Woods from PSR-LA; David Andrade and Stella Ursua of GRID; and Jackie Badejo from Watts Clean Air & Energy Comm at Green Justice event

CIPL has started off 2020 with a climate bang! The 2020s is our best – and final – decade to avert the worst of climate change effects, and the faith community is responding in kind.

CIPL staff presented to several congregations in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, San Mateo, Watts, and Menlo Park on a variety of issues, including climate justice, transportation electrification, climate activism, carbon neutrality for houses of worship, and building faith advocacy.

In early February, CIPL hosted a group of Middlebury College students from Vermont for an “immersion week” demonstrating the faith/ecology nexus. Many of the students had taken a course from Bill McKibben, father of 350.org, who teaches at Middlebury. They came with a trained perspective of conservation and a systemic way of looking at issues.

The “Green Justice” event on February 5 was a highlight, exemplifying the power of community while delving deeply into the many justice issues related to climate change and sustainability. Held at Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church in Watts, folks from the faith, justice, green career, and education sectors stressed an over-arching concern – truly sustainable communities that include affordable housing. Two themes were repeated. One, systems management – that construction, housing, safety and sustainability don’t exist in a vacuum, but when change is proposed, it must be part of a larger discussion of how the greater “eco-system” will be affected. Two, there was great interest in community investment strategies – how residents of Watts can take ownership of employment, housing, and sustainability strategies so that improvements for the community do not mean money taken out or displacement of members.

Midllebury College students with Dr. John Cobb at Uncommon Good

Strong work on policy has already taken place in 2020. Some 2019 priority legislation that did not pass in 2019 have received even greater support for their success in 2020. These include AB 345 (Muratsuchi), that calls for the Department of Conservation to study and implement a health and safety buffer zone between oil and gas extraction sites and homes, schools, churches and other such areas. In a concerted effort to get AB 345 passed in the Assembly by January 31, CIPL sent out an alert that yielded more than 100 letters of support. AB 345 did pass the Assembly and is now making its way through the Senate, and statewide workshops on this issue will include attendees from the faith community.

Another set of legislation from 2019 is SB 54 and AB 1080, which will have California reduce plastic use by 75% by 2030. Again, CIPL and supporters are already attending in-district legislative meetings, signing petitions, and holding planning meetings aimed at the passage of these bills.

In addition to the above policy, there has been strong action on a number of initiatives in the last three months: banning natural gas in San Jose; Caltrans oversight; environmental justice action at the port of Stockton; fare-free transit for youth; and the push for greater public transit in heavily-traveled areas of the Golden State.

If you and/your house of worship is involved in a climate issue in your community, or you want to be more involved, contact Liore or Allis for more information.

 

 

 

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2020 Sacramento Advocacy Sign Up

2019 faith advocates discuss legislative meetings at a lunch break.

2020 Sacramento Advocacy Days  – JUNE 16 and 17  —  AUGUST 19
Sign up here

Our 2020 advocacy is already under way with continued support, petitions, and sign-on letters for AB 345 (safety and health buffer zones) and SB 54/AB 1080 (plastic pollution reduction.) You can be a part of this advocacy by joining us in Sacramento in June and/or August.

In 2017, CIPL started having a two-day advocacy event each June. This year, on Tuesday, June 16, we will bring together folks from all over the state to discuss priority legislation, strengthen our unique faith voice, and reflect on our individual experience of the climate crisis. It is a valuable time together. On Wednesday, June 17, we will meet with legislative offices and make our voice heard.

On Wednesday, August 19, we will again meet with legislative offices. This is an important time, close to the end of the legislative sessions, when special interests put strong pressure on state officials to weaken or oppose legislation that increases renewable energy and protects vulnerable communities.

We are looking for folks especially from the Inland Empire and Central Valley.

2019 Sacramento Advocacy Overview

CIPL’s 2019 state advocacy efforts yielded fruit: new relationships with faith communities were forged; voices from the Central Valley were highlighted; and work with our organizational partners from the faith, equity, policy and public health increased. Our efforts also met with challenges, with two of our priority bills being passed and signed into law, one that did not pass, and one that passed but was vetoed.

Priority bills included: SB 210 (Leyva), requiring a “smog check” for heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds that will, by 2030, be the equivalent of taking 375,000 trucks off the road; SB 127 (Wiener), aiming for “Complete Streets” that will increase safety of all road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists; SB 54 (Allen) and AB 1080 (Gonzalez), striving for a 75% reduction in plastic pollution by 2030; and AB 342 (Muratsuchi), prohibiting the use of state public lands from oil- and gas-related infrastructure that would support oil and gas production on federally protected lands.

Faith leaders gather before more legislative meetings in the hallway of the Capitol.

SB 210, which boasted a plethora of supporters, passed. “Now that it has been signed into law, SB 210 will be a vital next step to reduce pollution from the many big diesel trucks that travel on the roads and highways in the Inland Empire and across California,” stated author, Senator Connie Leyva, on its signing into law on September 20. Indeed, the reduction of pollution from the transportation sector is an on-going process.  Emissions from heavy-duty trucks, including particulate matter 2.5, are linked to a host of respiratory and cardiac ailments and communities along highly-traveled corridors are especially at risk.

AB 342 also passed and was signed into law. This law continues California’s adherence to federal and state laws that protect our state from recent federal policy that weaken protections lands from oil and gas drilling. California’s beautiful landscapes, from the deserts to the sea, will have one layer of protection from future drilling plans, while putting limits on climate change-causing fossil fuels.

Jonathan Pruitt (left) and Fabian Tamayo brought the valuable voice of Central Valley concerns.

Despite massive support for SB 54 and AB 1080, and the wide-spread recognition of the damage from plastics, these bills did not make it to a final vote. Opposition from the plastic industry ultimately forced to become two-year bills. In regards to SB 127, even with backing from multiple equity, environmental and faith organizations and passage in both houses, Governor Newsom vetoed the bill. While citing budgetary concerns, he also did   indicate overall support for the bill and a willingness to work with author Senator Scott Wiener on revised language in 2020.

SB 127 was especially important to CIPL and faith advocates in the Central Valley. Safe streets make biking and walking more attractive, thus reducing vehicle emissions. Safe streets protect vulnerable community members, especially children and elderly. Two faith advocates who hail from Empire in Stanislaus County, told legislative offices of the harrowing reality for community members faced with state routes that act as streets, some of which have no crosswalks, sidewalks or bike lanes. This was a reminder that many issues are inter-twined with the environmental issue – the economy, clean energy jobs, public health and public safety.

 

June 18 Sacramento Advocacy Day Overview

CIPL’s June 18 Sacramento Advocacy Day in Sacramento boasted the largest group of faith advocates yet. In over 15 years of supporting meaningful and effective climate and energy policy, 29 advocates from various parts of the state spoke with 53 legislative offices. Priority bills included: SB 210 (Leyva), requiring a “smog check” for heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds that will, by 2030, be the equivalent of taking 375,000 trucks off the road; SB 127 (Wiener), aiming for “Complete Streets” that will increase safety of all road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists; SB 54 (Allen) and AB 1080 (Gonzalez), striving for a 75% reduction in plastic pollution by 2030; and AB 342 (Muratsuchi), prohibiting the use of state public lands from oil- and gas-related infrastructure that would support oil and gas production on federally protected lands.

Nick Romo of Senator Leyva’s office briefed advocates on SB 210

For the third year, advocates gathered the evening before for a deeper dive into priority bills, fellowship and a chance to reflect on their role in caring for and protecting Earth and its inhabitants. Again, this event brought proved to be very popular with our community. Conversation starters included the phrases “I can’t stop thinking about…” and “Everything changed for me when…” Discussions abounded about plastic waste, recent scientific climate reports and deep concern of recent weather events, such as devastating flooding in the Midwest and California wildfires.

In the morning briefing, over breakfast provided by the Inn Off Capitol Park, Nicholas Romo from Senator Connie Leyva’s office spoke of the benefits of SB 210, while Jamie Morgan from the American Heart Association provided more details on SB 127. Both highlighted the environmental justice aspects of the respective bills, which will especially benefit communities disproportionately impacted by transportation pollution and unsafe streets.

The results of meetings with 53 offices varied. Some were sympathetic and underscored support in general for protection of state lands, as well as public health from plastic waste and big rig pollution. Others, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley were hesitant to stop oil and gas production because of job creation. Faith advocates highlighted the faith principle of protection of all Creation and encouraged all legislators to prioritize clean energy production as it relates to job creation and public health. A second Advocacy Day is planned for August 28. If you are interested in attending, contact Allis at allis@interfaithpower.org.

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Got Earth Day? Sign Up for Faith Climate Action Week

Faith Climate Action Week is ten days in April during Earth Month when IPL congregations focus on how we can all take action to protect our climate. This year’s theme is Love Made Visible: Engaging in Sacred Activism to protect the people we care about who are most affected by climate change. And it falls during the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Sign up now and make this your congregation’s best celebration of love for creation yet!

Sign up your particular faith event, receive postcards to your elected officials, obtain ideas on sermons, get the screening kit to “The Human Element”, and more! Faith Climate Action Week is the go-to resource for your house of worship to engage members, community members and strengthen your action to preserve and protect our common home.

Questions/comments on FCAW? Email Sarah at sarahp@interfaithpowerandlight.org.

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Climate Strike re-energizes demand for climate action

The 2019 Climate Strike brought millions of people all over the world together, demanding large-scale solutions to the climate crisis be implemented on an accelerated timeling. In solidarity with a growing number of youth coming on board the climate train, the Strike re-energized people of all backgrounds.

Interfaith Power & Lights from 40 states and the District of Columbia were at the forefront of the Strike, reinforcing calls for climate action and justice, as we have been doing for two decades. Check out some the pictures below from California rallies.

 

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California Interfaith Power & Light
672 13th Street, Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 444-4891
Southern California Office
Phone: (310) 752-3436)
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