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Tired of “preaching to the choir” or to “deaf ears”?

By nancy

We believe you have something important to say.  Many of the issues being decided on the political level nowadays are being considered primarily from their value to business and either […]

Tired of “preaching to the choir” or to “deaf ears”?

Letters-to-the-editorWe believe you have something important to say.  Many of the issues being decided on the political level nowadays are being considered primarily from their value to business and either ignoring science or following science but still ignoring ramifications to quality of life.

Where is the faith voice?  Where are the voices expressing other values in public, sharing what we love as a people, such as our concerns for our neighbors and our children – and their children?

Maybe you feel like your words are only heard by those who already think and feel like you.  Sure you can blog, but do those words impact your local community?

One simple yet easy way for your words to reach their broadest scope is to write what is called a “letter to the editor”, or LTE, to your local and state newspapers.

It is a primary strategy in effective advocacy.  Advocacy is simply the process of actively supporting what is important to you in a way which may actually change public policy.

The Letters to the Editor pages are often the most well-read and most talked-about sections of the paper.  Newspapers value them as they reflect the concerns and priorities of the readers, and analyze them to determine how certain issues, opinions or decisions are being received in the general populace.

LTEs are very short and very easy to write.  There are many online guidelines on how to write and submit an LTE.  Soon we hope to offer a simple guideline as a resource on our website, as well as a monthly draft LTE that you can edit and use if you wish.  LTEs are best when they address current issues.

Recently, two of our NCIPL Steering Committee members, Penny Hooper and Steve Jurovics, and a friend of NCIPL, Rachel Wooten, had LTEs published.  Check them out here:

  • NCIPL SC Member Penny Hooper, “Obligation to Future Generations”, published in Carteret County News Times on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
  • NCIPL SC Member Steve Jurovics, “Averting a Crisis”, published in News & Observer, May 8, 2014.
  • Friend of NCIPL Rachel Wooten, “Bad Climate”, published in News & Observer, May 5, 2014.

We hope to hear from you soon!  Let us know if you write and submit an LTE.  We now have a section on our website called “Share Your Actions“.  We want to know if you write an LTE, hold or attend a meeting or event on climate change issues, or make any lobbying phone calls.  Simply click here, and share what you have been up to!

Together, we can be heard and our voices can make a difference.

Energy Saving Volunteers Receive Earth Day Grant

By nancy

by Donna McAuliffe The 2014 BodySense Earth Day Grant was awarded to a local group committed to reducing energy consumption. An offshoot of Lake Chatuge Greenfaith Team, a NCIPL Regional […]

Energy Saving Volunteers Receive Earth Day Grant

by Donna McAuliffe
L to R: Donna McAuliffe, Brad Rouse and Gilbert Nicolson
L to R: Donna McAuliffe, Brad Rouse and Gilbert Nicolson

The 2014 BodySense Earth Day Grant was awarded to a local group committed to reducing energy consumption. An offshoot of Lake Chatuge Greenfaith Team, a NCIPL Regional Partner, the volunteers visits the homes of people who face high energy bills and need information and assistance reducing their usage, saving them money and saving valuable natural resources. The assessment identifies simple energy saving solutions such as efficient lighting, weather stripping, changing water heater temperatures, adding insulation and more. Volunteers provide the service at no cost and supplies are provided through donations.

“The BodySense grant will be used to purchase supplies which will be a help to those feeling the stress of high energy bills”, Brad Rouse explained. “Our goal is to identify the folks that need help and provide them with support in making changes”.

Founded on the idea that helping people save energy both protects God’s creation and serves God’s people, Energy Saving Volunteers is taking action in our community. If you or someone you know would like more information on Energy Saving Volunteers or would like to become a Volunteer, please contact Brad at​ 404-754-0892, blog: www.awareness-advocacy-action.  or email: brouse_invest@yahoo.com

Each year BodySense presents a local environment group with 10% of its Earth Day profits. Among  previous recipients are The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, The Hiawassee Rivershed Coaltion, Three Sisters’ Apalachee Pollinators Program,  The Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center, and local recycling efforts.

We Can No Longer Sweep the Coal Ash Under the Rug

By nancy

We need to let our legislators know that this is important to us.

We Can No Longer Sweep the Coal Ash Under the Rug

coalClarke Morrison, in a home page article in Asheville’s Citizen Times, “Disasters Prompt a New Look at Coal Ash Handling”, points out that the Dan River coal ash spill near Eden on February 2  was the third-largest coal ash spill in U.S. history.

“I think the spill is a game-changer for the state of North Carolina,” Hartwell Carson, the French Broad Riverkeeper with the environmental group Western North Carolina Alliance said. “Kingston sort of put things on the radar. I think the Dan River brought it home.”

The Dan River was contaminated by the spill of over 82,000 tons of toxic coal ash from a retired Duke plant.  State health officials advised that people not eat fish from the river and to avoid contact with the water. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead, mercury and a host of other chemicals that are toxic to humans and aquatic life.

Toxic waste from coal plants has historically been dumped into what are called coal ash lagoons, which are unlined pits with earthen dams, situated next to freshwater bodies.  Concern has been rising about the possibility of ground water contamination and the potential damage to rivers such as the French Broad if major spills occurred.

It is estimated that North Carolina may have as many as 31 leaking  coal ash ponds.

In South Carolina in 2012, the Southern Environmental Law Center sued the state’s two major utilities, Santee Cooper and SCE&G, over groundwater contamination from their ash ponds.  Both utilities quickly settled, agreeing to move the ash to lined landfills at an estimated cost of $250 million.

However, North Carolina’s response has been very different from SC.  Last year, a civilian group filed notice to sue Duke under the federal Clean Water Act.  NC  Department of Environment and Natural Resources intervened and imposed only a light fee with no provision to halt contamination from coal ash.

Duke still maintains that the ash pond dams at the Lake Julian plant are safe and are regularly inspected by state regulators, that the spill was caused by a break in an underground wastewater pipe, and there are no underground pipes at many of the other ponds.

Governor Pat McCrory said that a task force will be set up to assess all of Duke’s coal ash dumps and what must be done to clean them up.  “We must look to the future of coal ash storage and how we can best protect the citizens of North Carolina and our environment,” McCrory said.

Tom Apodaca (R-Hendersonville) has committed to proposing legislation that will force Duke Energy to clean up every coal ash pit in the state and move the ash to properly lined dry storage locations away from our rivers.

We need to let our legislators know that this is important to us.  We cannot continue to let corporations such as Duke fail to consider their negative impacts on the environment and ultimately on our quality of life.

 

SENATORS SPEAKING ALL NIGHT TO URGE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

By nancy

From the office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz: Washington, DC – Immediately following votes on the evening of Monday, March 10 until approximately 9 am ET Tuesday, March 11, Senators from the Senate […]

SENATORS SPEAKING ALL NIGHT TO URGE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

US Senate and Climate Change

From the office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz:

Washington, DC – Immediately following votes on the evening of Monday, March 10 until approximately 9 am ET Tuesday, March 11, Senators from the Senate Climate Action Task Force will be holding the Senate floor to urge action on climate change.  A significant number of Senators are expected to participate throughout the night.

“Climate change is real, it is caused by humans, and it is solvable,” said Senator Schatz.  “Congress must act.  On Monday night we’re going to show the growing number of Senators who are committed to working together to confront climate change.”

Senator Boxer said: “So many Senators coming together for an all-night session shows our commitment to wake up Congress to the dangers of climate change. All you have to do is look at China to see what happens to your country when you throw the environment under the bus.”

“The cost of Congress’ inaction on climate change is too high for our communities, our kids and grandkids, and our economy,”Senator Whitehouse said. “On Monday we’ll be sending a clear message: it’s time for Congress to wake up and get serious about addressing this issue.”

Senators expected to participate include:

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
Senator Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla.
Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md.
Senator Bernard Sanders, I-Vt.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Senator Mark Udall, D-Colo.
Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.
Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
Senator Al Franken, D-Minn.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.
Senator Angus King, I-Maine
Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Senator Edward J. Markey, D-Mass.
Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J.

 Senators will be actively participating on social media as well throughout the night – using the hashtag #Up4Climate.

We at NCIPL wish to encourage everyone to support this effort.  Consider calling your legislators and expressing your support for Congress to act on climate change.

Climate Activists Must Heed the Lessons of North Carolina

By nancy

Joe Wainio begins his wonderful article on TruthOut,  “Climate change activists should look to North Carolina for lessons on how to build a broad and diverse movement powerful enough to […]

Climate Activists Must Heed the Lessons of North Carolina

February 8, 2014: Tens of thousands marched on the capital building in Raleigh, North Carolina, to protest the extreme politics of the current state government. (Photo: James Willamor/ Flickr)
February 8, 2014: Tens of thousands marched on the capital building in Raleigh, North Carolina, to protest the extreme politics of the current state government. (Photo: James Willamor/ Flickr)

Joe Wainio begins his wonderful article on TruthOut,  “Climate change activists should look to North Carolina for lessons on how to build a broad and diverse movement powerful enough to challenge the corrupt status quo on several fronts. Single-issue organizing won’t do.”

To make a difference in our current political climate takes massive numbers of people, and so far the environmental movement has not drawn the numbers and diversity needed.

In the article, he captures what we have been building in our North Carolina “Forward Together Movement.”

He concludes,

That’s the significance of what is happening in North Carolina. People from all different backgrounds are demonstrating their support and solidarity for everyone’s basic human rights and dignity. All those involved in the movement are educating one another about “their” issues and are getting a respectful hearing. That is how to build trust between previously separate groups. That is how to build a mighty force that cannot be contained by the oligarchy. If climate activists are paying attention, we will heed these lessons.

 

Our NC “What do You Love Campaign” dovetails with the February Friends Committee for National Legislation’s call to conscience

By nancy

“The seemingly simple action of communicating with your elected representative is powerful, vastly underrated, and accessible to all.”   In October our executive director, Susannah Tuttle, was featured in the […]

Our NC “What do You Love Campaign” dovetails with the February Friends Committee for National Legislation’s call to conscience

emeals-love-story-contest“The seemingly simple action of communicating with your elected representative is powerful, vastly underrated, and accessible to all.”

 

In October our executive director, Susannah Tuttle, was featured in the Indy Weekly, speaking about her efforts to forge ties between environmentally conscious faith leaders and conservative legislators. Since then, Susannah has been encouraging people of faith to meet with our legislators, to build relationships and share our faith voice on the importance of our quality of life for generations to come.

In February, Faith Street published an article by the Friends Committee for National Legislation (FCNL).   In it, they also ask people of faith to meet with their legislators and hold a simple converse about the legacy we wish to leave behind.  The authors, Jose Aguto and Emily Wirzba set out the goal of the FNCL clearly.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is partnering with other faith- and citizen-based organizations on a call to conscience on climate disruption to affirm the moral foundation for action. We ask that multi-faith delegations share their thoughts on climate disruption with their congressional representatives, discussing their beliefs from the basis of their religious, ethical or moral perspectives. Consistent with the Quaker belief in the Light that exists within every person, we ask that such meetings be based on our shared purpose and uplifting paths forward.

We ask people of faith to meet with their congressional representatives and converse around the following questions: What is the shared legacy we seek to leave for our children and future generations on climate disruption? Will you acknowledge that climate disruption is human-induced, already happening, and a grave threat to both present and future generations? Will you take a leadership role and call upon your peers to join a public, bipartisan declaration of concern about climate disruption and the need for congressional action? What kind of actions should Congress take?

By replicating this action in grassroots districts across the country, people of faith can create authentic political and moral will for congressional solutions to climate disruption. ….The seemingly simple action of communicating with your elected representative is powerful, vastly underrated, and accessible to all. For in a healthy democracy, the people create the political will to which elected representatives respond. If the faith community can come together to issue the moral call to conscience and action on climate disruption, we can work with optimism and resolve toward a thriving future.