About Us
GWIPL Newsletter: March 2007
IN THIS ISSUE
News
Upcoming Events
Opportunities and Programs
NEWS
1. Earth Day weekend
This year Earth Day falls on Sunday, April 22, 2007, so April 20, 21 and 22 is Earth Day weekend. What better way to celebrate than have your clergy preach and teach the entire congregation about why global warming is a faith issue? Your congregation won't be alone since GWIPL is inviting all congregations in the greater Baltimore-Washington area to participate. Because talking about the problem isn't enough, please pair your sermon with an activity in your congregation that will lead to a reduction of global warming gasses. Among the important activities which your congregation can do are: installing CFLs in your sanctuary, selling/ distributing CFLs to your congregation, installing LED exit signs, and participating in a tree planting.
You can find suggestions for preparing sermons on global warming for Earth Day weekend and any time at http://www.gwipl.org/earthday2007.asp. It includes information on global warming effects to the world and our own backyard, as well as denominational statements, texts, cooling actions, and complete sermons.
CALL TO ACTION - Earth Day Weekend 2007: Preaching and Practicing
Let us know what your congregation is doing so that we can share the power of our collective efforts in future newsletters and with the media. Sign up at http://www.gwipl.org/earthday2007.asp
2. Welcome our new Youth Education Fellow Bynum Hoekstra
Bynum is a recent graduate of the University North Carolina - Chapel Hill and served as a student chaplain with the Episcopal Campus Ministry. He previously worked for the City of Cambridge, UK on how they could reduce their CO2 emissions and was a lead counselor at the Glory Ridge Camp, NC. Bynum will be developing education programs about global warming and faith empowering youth to take action. Please welcome him aboard. We will keep you posted on when these new youth programs will be available.
3. Proper CFL Disposal
Did you know that compact florescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury? It is a VERY small amount, 5 milligrams. There is actually more in your watch battery, 25 milligrams. The highest source of mercury in our air comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, the most common fuel used in the U.S. to produce electricity.
Yet people of faith committed to ending global warming want to do anything they can to prevent any mercury from getting into the air where it will affect the health of people and all of creation. Please bring your used CFLs to any of the following places:
IKEA College Park, 10100 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
IKEA Baltimore, 8352 Honeygo Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21236
IKEA Woodbridge, 2901 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge, VA 22192
DC - Household Hazardous Waste Disposal information and FAQ
Maryland
Baltimore - Household Hazardous Waste information
Montgomery County - Household Hazardous Waste Collection sites and more information
Virginia
Arlington - Household Hazmat Program
Fairfax - Household Hazardous Waste drop-off locations and information
4. Energy Efficient Cars
Ever wonder what is the best, most efficient car to buy? Of course, the best energy efficient solution is not to buy a car in the first place; walking, biking, using public transportation, and car sharing are the most efficient ways to go. However, if you have to own a car, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has come out with a new list of the top 12 green cars. The Honda Civic GX is number 1. To check out the complete list please visit: http://www.greenercars.com/12green.html.
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. It's Time to Step It Up to Save Our Climate!
Come Hear the Urgent Truth about Global Warming from Bill McKibben , author of "The End of Nature" and leading climate activist, and Tim Flannery , author of "The Weather Makers" and 2007 Australian of the Year. Mike Tidwell, author of "The Ravaging Tide," Chesapeake Climate Action Network Director, and member of the GWIPL Steering Committee will be the master of ceremonies. Music will be provided by Emma's revolution/Pat Humphries and Sandy O.
When: Saturday, March 17, 7 pm
Where: Foundry United Methodist Church, 16th & P Streets NW in Washington, DC
Tickets: $10 ($5/students) and can be bought online or by contacting Ted Glick at 973-338-5398 or usajointheworld@igc.org
For more information or to purchase tickets: www.chesapeakeclimate.org.
2. Building Green
Learn about sustainable planning, design, maintenance and operational practices that help new and existing buildings to be more environmentally friendly.
Discussion leaders will be:
* Marion Clark, Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning, Environmental Planning Coordinator
* Michael Foster, Principal, MTFA Architecture Inc.
* Michael Kiefer, greenDCrealty division of Long and Foster, Inc.
When: Thursday, March 22 from 7pm to 9pm
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.
Questions: Please contact 301 652-5160, ext. 8
3. Two opportunities for you to tell Congress how you feel about Global Warming:
- 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
- Climate Crisis Action Day: The clock is ticking on climate change. Leading scientists are warning we are near "a tipping point" and must act now to avoid large-scale, irreversible impacts.
We get the message. But does the new Congress? That depends on you. Be a part of the Climate Crisis Action Day in Washington, DC on March 20 and tell our leaders we can't wait any longer. Visit www.ClimateCrisisAction.org to sign up today - or to find out other ways to take action right now even if you can't make it to DC.
Thousands of concerned citizens will gather at the United States Capitol to tell Congress it's time to tackle global warming head-on, with responsible energy decisions and protections - not drilling - for special places like the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. Come listen to politicians, celebrities, religious leaders, and activists from across the country. Then, we'll give you a chance to go speak with your legislators personally, to make sure reversing climate change is at the top of their "to-do" list. Let's call on the new Congress to curb global warming by moving toward a smarter, cleaner energy future. We can't afford to let the clock tick any longer.
Go to the GWIPL Event Calendar
OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS
1. Sustainably-harvested palms: Christian congregations can m ake social and environmental justice part of their Palm Sunday celebration.Now you can get sustainably-harvested Palm Sunday palms: http://www.lwr.org/palms/
2. GreenDC Week: The DC Department of the Environment is once again sponsoring GreenDC Week. As part of this effort, they are creating a calendar to keep track of all of the events happening around Earth Day. Please submit your event info for GreenDC Week and related events for March & April. Click here for the sign-up form. The preliminary deadline is March 16 for April events. Please contact Allison@gwipl.org for more information.
3. Montgomery County Announces Clean Energy Rewards: This is a program designed to help take the guesswork out of purchasing clean energy and further develop the market. You can either have your congregation make a purchase or encourage members of your congregational do so. To sign up for more information please visit the Clean Energy Rewards page of the Montgomery County website. If you would like a representative to talk about this initiative at your congregation, please contact Allison at 202-885-8684 or Allison@gwipl.org.
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