GWIPL Newsletter: February 2007

IN THIS ISSUE
News
Upcoming Events
Opportunities and Programs

NEWS

A Clean Energy Future: Western Presbyterian Church purchased 399,360 KWH of wind energy to make their 2006 electricity usage CLEAN. 80% of their purchase supports national wind farms in the Midwest and 20% supports local farms in WV and PA. Western Presbyterian is helping to preserve the earth for future generations by stopping global warming, improving human health, and reducing pollutants in the air and water.

Scientists around the world say that humans are the cause of global warming.
On Friday Feb. 2, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC), the global body charged by the United Nations with assessing the reality of global warming, released its latest report summarizing the best available science on global warming. They concluded:

• Human beings are "very likely" causing global warming. This means that it is 90 percent certain that human beings are causing global warming. That is the strongest expression of certainty to date from the panel.
• If nothing is done to change current emissions patterns of greenhouse gases, global temperature could increase as much as 11 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. But even if the world does get greenhouse gas emissions under control, which is possible if we ALL do our part, there will still be at least a 3 degrees Fahrenheit increase.
• Sea levels are projected to rise 7 to 23 inches by the end of the century.
• “The worst could mean more than 1 million dead and hundreds of billions of dollars in costs by 2100,” said Kevin Trenberth of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, one of many study co-authors of the IPCC report.

Bush administration officials praised the report but said they still oppose mandatory cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

With this in mind, it is even more important that each one of us take personal responsibility for our actions that are causing global warming. We cannot wait for the policy makers; we have to take steps now in our homes, congregations and businesses.

To read the report please visit: http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf

UPCOMING EVENTS

2/6 - MARYLAND CLEAN CARS & GLOBAL WARMING Community Meeting
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and the MD Sierra Club will be hosting an educational meeting about Global warming and the Maryland Clean Car Bill. This will be a great opportunity for you to become familiar with the facts regarding car emissions and the legislation to limit them. Come, and listen to the informed speakers describe the problems we face today and the benefits of a clean cars bill will have in this area. Your presence will send a message to Annapolis that this is the year that Maryland will finally join 11 other states in setting their own standards for air quality instead of waiting for the federal government to act.

What: Clean Cars for Maryland Community Meeting!
When: Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007 7-8:30 pm
Where: Twinbrook Library in Rockville, MD
200 Meadow Hall Dr. – In Twinbrook Shopping Center off Viers Mill Rd.
Visit the CCAN website to learn more about this event and about clean cars.
Sponsors: Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the MD Sierra Club

2/15 - Washington DC Roundtable: How YOUR Congregation Can Stop Global Warming

• Learn BEST PRATICES from other congregation to stop global warming, reduce energy use and save money.
• Brainstorm with representatives from other congregations about what your congregation can do.
• Special Guest Speaker: Andre Javier-Barry, Program Manager, Sustainable Solutions Division, DC Department of Environment

When: Thursday, Feb. 15 from 7 to 8:15pm
Where: St. Columba’s Church, Room 215, 4201 Albemarle Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016
RSVP: Allison Fisher at 202-885-8684
Sponsor: Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light

2/22 - The ABC’s of Global Warming
Learn how GLOBAL WARMING will affect the WORLD and our own BACKYARD and why it is a JUSTICE issue. Two speakers:

• Lise Van Susteren, MD, a forensic physiologist and local advocate, will present Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth slide show with easy to understand explanations about global warming
• Janet Ranganathan, director of World Resources Institute’s People and Ecosystems Program, will describe the rapid global degradation of ecosystems and what can be done to protect them now and in the future.

When: Thursday, Feb. 22 from 7 to 9 pm
Where: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8011 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, MD. Corner of Glenbrook - 8 blocks from metro. Public Parking at Cordell – one block away.
Sponsors: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bethesda - Chevy Chase and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light

2/27 - Montgomery/ PG County Roundtable: How YOUR Congregation Can Stop Global Warming

• Learn BEST PRATICES from other congregation to stop global warming, reduce energy use and save money
• Brainstorm with representatives from other congregations about what your congregation can do.
• Special Guest Speaker: Susan Kirby, Clean Energy Rewards Program Coordinator, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection

When: Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 8:15pm
Where: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane in Bethesda, MD.Click here for directions.
RSVP: Allison Fisher at 202-885-8684
Sponsor: Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light

Go to the GWIPL Event Calendar

OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS

1. Christian Congregations: How can you fit global warming into your observance of Lent? Some ideas include: educating yourself about global warming by reading relevant articles, reducing your energy use by watching less TV, and decreasing your carbon foot print by purchasing clean energy. For more ideas, please check out our new Lenten resource page prepared by Louise White, Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC.

2. Montgomery County Announces Clean Energy Rewards: a program designed to help take the guesswork out of purchasing clean energy. Purchasing clean energy is one way that your congregation and its members can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To sign up for more information please visit the Montgomery County website. If you would like a representative to talk about this initiative at your congregation, please contact Allison at 202-453-9619 or Allison@gwipl.org.

3. DC: Speaker Opportunities: Rick Morgan, of the DC Public Service Commission is available to speak to your congregation about renewable energy. He can talk to your congregation specifically on:

• Implementing the District’s renewable portfolio standard legislation, including its relationship to voluntary green power markets;
• Implementing ratepayer-funded energy efficiency and renewable programs, in conjunction with DC Energy Office and other parties;
• Removing institutional barriers to utility investments in efficiency and renewables.

Click here to learn more information about Rick Morgan. Contact Allison Fisher at 202-885-8684 for more information about this opportunity.

4. Ecumenical Advocacy Days - Raise your Voice About Global Warming in Washington, DC!: From March 9 – 12, more than 1,000 religious advocates from all over the country will converge on Washington, DC for the 5th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days.

This year's theme, "...And how are the Children?" will focus on the various issues that affect the lives of children around the world. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts, activists, and theologians and join with people in their state to visit their congressional representatives. The Eco-Justice track will focus on global warming and will include in-depth workshops about what Christians can do to protect the children of today and the children of the future from the dangers of climate change. Eco-Justice workshops topics include: "Global Warming and Children," "Eco-Theology," "Environmental Health," "Mountain Top Removal," "Global Warming and Debt," "Power Plants and Mercury," and "Clean Energy and Green Building for Churches."

The cost for the 2007 conference is $150. This price includes two lunches and Sunday dinner. Register at: www.advocacydays.org

5. Earth Day: April 22, 2007 – Start now to plan what your congregation can do on Earth Day weekend 2007.

6. The First Hazon DC Jewish Environmental Bike Ride on Earth Day, April 22, will raise money for cutting-edge Jewish environmental projects in the greater Washington, DC area, the U.S. and Israel. Cycle with Hazon for 50 miles from Am Kolel Sanctuary to Sixth and I Historic Synagogue to celebrate Earth Day and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Register or sponsor a rider today!

April 20-21: Optional Shabbaton at Am Kolel Sanctuary and Renewal Center in Beallsville, MD. Space is limited for the Shabbaton - register soon.

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