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EPA Takes Moral Action to Cut Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

By chris

The EPA is acting on our moral obligation to address unlimited carbon pollution coming from the nation’s power plants, the single largest source of global warming pollution in the country.

EPA Takes Moral Action to Cut Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

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The EPA is acting on our moral obligation to address unlimited carbon pollution coming from the nation’s power plants, the single largest source of global warming pollution in the country. Click here to let Governor Pat McCrory know that you support the EPA’s standards!

The new standards will help usher in clean energy solutions like improved efficiency and solar power: things that NC Interfaith Power & Light congregations have been using in their facilities for years to reduce emissions and save money.

Emerging wind and solar companies have been in a David and Goliath struggle against the well-funded coal and gas industries.

By requiring a 30% reduction in carbon pollution from power plants by 2030, the standards will create a dynamic move toward cleaner energy. IPL and its 40 state affiliates reaching 15,000 congregations strongly support the EPA’s important action.

The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, President and Founder of Interfaith Power & Light, issued the following statement:

We applaud this landmark action that comes at a pivotal time when more people than ever have recognized the threat to their health and safety from unregulated pollution. These rules will safeguard our communities, our climate, and our children’s future.

As people of faith called to care for God’s people and Creation, especially the most vulnerable, we have a moral obligation to address the profound impacts of the way we use energy.

In addition to protecting our climate, curbing pollution from power plants offers many important benefits, including saving lives and reducing health risks to those suffering from heart disease and respiratory ailments such as asthma.

Governor McCrory needs to hear that as people of faith
we support these historic landmark safeguards.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION
to help protect the blessings of clean air and water.

Duke Divinity Student Reflects On The Encyclical

By chris

“Pope Francis almost makes me want to convert to Catholicism.” This is the sentiment generally expressed by many of my colleagues at Duke Divinity School. Many of us who are not […]

Duke Divinity Student Reflects On The Encyclical

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Pope Selfie“Pope Francis almost makes me want to convert to Catholicism.” This is the sentiment generally expressed by many of my colleagues at Duke Divinity School. Many of us who are not Catholic find so refreshing a Pope that is faithfully in touch with so many social justice concerns in such a visible way. From the outset he has been a popular leader for all Christians in many ways because of his concern for the poor, the marginalized, and those without a voice (including our earth).

On June 18th, 2015 the Vatican released the Pope’s encyclical on climate change and (thankfully) I think it has gotten more hype than did the release of the last Hunger Games movie. I have seen almost daily postings from friends across the religious spectrum and non-religious friends, have seen news stories about it morning and night, and the Director of NC Interfaith Power & Light, Susannah Tuttle co-wrote an OpEd with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, titled Science and religion are in accord on climate change. While Pope Francis is without question an extremely popular pope, one whose travels, actions, and words are often recorded and “shared” on social media, the interest in this particular encyclical is especially interesting, and very exciting.

At Duke Divinity, we learn about the importance of care of creation in every class. In our Bible and language courses we learn that when the Bible says that we are to “rule over” the earth, it means that we arDukeDive responsible for nourishing and caring for it, that we are stewards, not despots. In our theology and ethics courses, we learn about the reality of environmental racism, in which humanity’s role in climate change is causing environmental refugees and disproportionately harming the poorest in our world. In our history courses, we learn that for centuries Christians understood the importance of giving the land a Sabbath and living as a partof creation, rather than as destructive and shortsighted lords over and above the land. And finally, in our preaching courses, we learn about the challenge of speaking prophetically and pastorally on issues of climate change, of understanding how to bring together the urgency of environmental destruction at the hands of capitalistic greed and individualistic society with the need for Christians to develop ways of being a part of creation again, of truly caring for and protecting creation.

Pope Francis has emphasized the pressing need for action to curb climate change before, but by dedicating an encyclical to this topic, he has committed the entire Catholic Church and other religious leaders and communities to take seriously their charge to protect God’s creation.

pontifical-academies-of-sciences-and-social-sciences-quote-pope-photo-meme-350-dot-orgI am baffled by statements from many US politicians saying that they will listen to the Pope on theological matters, but not scientific ones. First, Pope Francis is a scientist—he has a Masters degree in chemistry, as has already been pointed out several times. Second, theology cannot be put in a box. At Duke Divinity we learn that theology infiltrates all of what you do and forms your worldview. We form our theology from scripture, experience, tradition, and revelation. If we actually do theology, then, we will of course find ourselves working in other disciplines to speak against injustices, because theology apart from the world and its condition and the condition of its inhabitants, is not really theology.

RELeePictureWayde Marsh is NC Council of Churches’ Duke Divinity summer intern. Wayde graduated with a degree in Politics and Religion from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. In the fall, he will be entering the final year of his MDiv at Duke Divinity School. Upon completion of his MDiv, Wayde hopes to pursue doctoral work in political science—studying Middle East politics, the intersection of politics and religion, displacement politics, and US foreign Policy in the Middle East. He attends Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham.

NC Faith Leaders Support Clean Energy

By chris

Faith Leaders printed in the News & Observer Rev. Dr. Leonard H. Bolick Rev. Jonathan Brake Rev. Jill Staton Bullard Rev. Robin P. Coira The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry Rev. Richard […]

NC Faith Leaders Support Clean Energy

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Faith Leaders printed in the News & Observer

Rev. Dr. Leonard H. Bolick
Rev. Jonathan Brake
Rev. Jill Staton Bullard
Rev. Robin P. Coira
The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry
Rev. Richard Edens
Rev. Keith Grogg
Rev. Steve Hickle
The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple
Rev. Joe Hoffman
Rabbi Andrew Koren
Friar Michael Lasky
Rev. Dr. David Jordan
Rev. Randy Orwig
Rev. Dr. John Pollock
Rev. George Reed
Rev. Dr. Bill Reinhold
The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving
Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman
The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor

Additional Faith Leader Support as of 4/21/15

 Rev. Jim Abbott – Asheville
Rev. Stephanie Allen – Raleigh
Rev. Jeanne Allen – Durham
Rev. Nancy Allison – Charlotte
Rev. Alvin Alston – Littleton
Rev. Thom Belote – Chapel Hill
Rev. Brent A. Bissette – Pinehurst
Rev. Brendan Boone – Raleigh
Rev. Dr. Bill Breedlove – Hayesville
Rev. Amy Brooks – Huntersville
Rev. Patricia Cabarga – Chapel Hill
Rev. Patrick Campbell – Hickory
Rev. Dr. George Clifford – Raleigh
Rev. James Cooke – Winterville
Rev. Dr. Jill Crainshaw – Winston Salem
Rev. Sheila M. Crump – Moncure
Brother G. Dillon Culbreth – Creston
Rev. Jim Curl – Rutherfordton
Rev. Christie M. Dalton – Mocksville
Rev. Myron Dice – Pinehurst
Rev. Barbara Dice – Pinehurst
Rev. Todd Donatelli – Asheville
Rev. Mindy Douglas – Chapel Hill
Rev. Thomas Droppers – Greensboro
Rev. Wayne Dubnansky – Garner
Rev. Lou East – Summerfield
Rev. Dr. Chris East – Greensboro
Rev. Jill Edens – Chapel Hill
Friar O.C. Edwards – Weaverville
Rev. Christina Ettesen – Charlotte
Rev. Deborah Fox – Raleigh
Rev. Louane Frey – Durham
Rev. Steve Halsted – Raleigh
Rev. Amy Huacani – Pinehurst
Rev. Bob Hudak – Greenville
Rev. Horace Hunt – Black Mountain
Rev. Wanda H. Hunt – Pinehurst
Rev. Nancy Huslage – Raleigh
Rev. John Jackman – Winston-Salem
Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson – Chapel Hill
Rev. Dr. Cureton Johnson – Fayetteville
Rabbi Raachel Jurovics – Raleigh
Rev. Pastor Linda M. Kelly – Weaverville
Rev. M. Jonah Kendall – Durham
Rev. Dr. Rhonda M. Lee – Durham
Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren – Raleigh
Rev. Douglas Long – Chapel Hill
Rev. Richard W. McBride – Hillsborough
Rev. Kathie McCutcheon – Garner
Rev. David McNair – Asheville
Rev. Lynn Michie – Asheville
Rev. Raymond L. Morris – Pinehurst
Rev. Dr. Cameron Murchison – Black Mountain
Rev. Thomas Murphy – Asheville
Rev. Linda Nelson – Laurinburg
Rev. LaVera Parato – Burgaw
Rev. Julie Peeples – Greensboro
Rev. Josho Pat Phelan – Chapel Hill
Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen – Whitsett
Rev. John Richardson – Wilson
Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn – Arden
Rev. John D. Rights – Winston-Salem
Rev. Susan Roddey – Charlotte
Rabbi Judith Schindler – Charlotte
Rev. Lisa Schwartz – Winston-Salem
Rev. Ken Sehested – Asheville
Rev. H. Stephen Shoemaker – Charlotte
Rev. Jenny Shultz – Chapel Hill
Rev. Shannon Spencer – Asheville
Rev. Chris Tuttle – Durham
Rev. Isaac Villegas – Chapel Hill
Rev. Dr. Richard Weidler – Hendersonville
Rev. Sally White – Morehead City
Rev. Maurice White – Louisburg
Rev. Terry Williams – Lillington

Click here to add your name to the prestigious list of NC faith leaders supporting clean energy for all North Carolinians.

Spring Into Action with IPL Founder & President, Rev. Sally Bingham

By albert

NCIPL’s Inaugural Spring Into Action Celebration with Rev. Sally Bingham Tuesday, March 24, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh NCIPL’s […]

Spring Into Action with IPL Founder & President, Rev. Sally Bingham

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Rev. Sally Bingham

NCIPL’s Inaugural Spring Into Action Celebration with Rev. Sally Bingham

Tuesday, March 24, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh

NCIPL’s inaugural Spring Into Action Celebration features a reception and remarks from Interfaith Power & Light’s founder and president Rev. Sally Bingham. Rev. Bingham has brought widespread attention to the link between religious faith and the environment through her work, including with The Regeneration Project and as lead author for Love God, Heal Earth. She serves as Canon for the Environment in the Episcopal Diocese of California. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required.

Faith Voices for Clean Energy Advocacy Day

Wednesday, March 25, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
NC General Assembly

Interfaith Power & Light founder and president Rev. Sally Bingham will join NCIPL at the NC General Assembly in Raleigh for the Faith Voices for Clean Energy Advocacy Day. We will meet with members of the General Assembly to hear their vision for North Carolina and to express support for new and existing clean energy policies. NCIPL has recorded a webinar on the policy issues we are watching, what to expect during Advocacy Day, and to answer questions. For those who cannot join in person, they can log on and send emails to General Assembly members starting the evening of March 24. Click here to register.

Human Face of Environmental Inequality Symposium

Thursday, March 26, 1 p.m. – Friday, March 27, 2:45 p.m.
Benson University Center, Wake Forest University
1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem

Human rights and the humanities are vital lenses for understanding the unequal impacts of climate change and environmental degradation as well as the values that shape our responses. This symposium features several prominent speakers, including Interfaith Power & Light founder and President Rev. Sally Bingham, along with panels on values and morality, local engagement, and impacts on indigenous peoples. The symposium is free and open to the public. Click here to register.

Birds Can Make You Want to Take Action on Climate Change

By reuben

By NCIPL Intern Rubaina Anjum When it comes to talking about climate change, NCIPL focuses on the positive and hopeful messages. We love to let everyone know of the excellent work […]

Birds Can Make You Want to Take Action on Climate Change

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By NCIPL Intern Rubaina Anjum

Cardinals in snow

When it comes to talking about climate change, NCIPL focuses on the positive and hopeful messages. We love to let everyone know of the excellent work that faith communities and others in the area are doing to combat climate change. And research shows that talking positively about climate change is more helpful than trying to instil fear on the consequences of inaction. Fear based messaging has been quite popular in the climate change movement but its success in producing a response is questionable. Imagery of doom, apocalyptic language, warnings of dire consequences etc., are more likely to evoke unpleasant feelings, apathy, and denial, or simply overwhelm most people. Keeping the emphasis on positive messages and raising awareness about how to act to mitigate climate change have been shown to be effective and empowering.

However, another factor that could possibly be a key motivator for climate change action is empathy. A Cornell study revealed that empathy for birds can cause bird lovers to be more willing to decrease their carbon footprints. The researchers surveyed a group of 3,546 people, a large number of which were bird watchers. The study aimed to find what sort of messages about the impacts of climate change led people to have an increase in interest in taking climate change action. The survey respondents were asked to state their willingness to reduce their carbon footprint when presented with the following messages:

  1. Climate change is a danger to people.
  2. Climate change is a danger to birds.
  3. If a large number of Americans do something small to reduce their use of fossil fuels, it would have a large impact on our national carbon footprint.
  4. If a large number of Americans do something small to reduce their use of fossil fuels, it would have a large impact on our national carbon footprint—and be of benefit to future generations.

The first two messages are fear-based and the last two highlight positive impacts of small but collective actions. As expected, messages 3 and 4 increased willingness to take action, significantly. The first fear-based message did not have a significant impact on willingness to reduce carbon footprint. But the second message involving a threat to birds, had the most significant impact, and led to an increase in willingness to take action.

Robin 2

As the survey group primarily consisted of bird watchers, it’s probably correct to assume that the respondents cared very much about birds. The study concludes that while fear-based messages are usually ineffective, a reminder of the potential threat to a species of interest can evoke empathy and elicit significant interest in taking corrective action.

Similarly, a study in the UK found that when people were presented with ‘icons’ (conceptualizations of climate change impacts, e.g. an image of a polar bear would be shown but the respondents’ perception of it was the icon), they engaged the most with the icons that they described as relatable. Local rivers and lakes and London were some of the icons that were most popular amongst respondents. They considered these icons to also be relevant to people in their community and the UK. Other studies also show the importance of empathy in climate change action motivation:

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

We can see that it is not only species that can stir empathy, but also favorite places (or perhaps the idea of the places). Thinking of melting glaciers and rising seas is scary to the point of being driven away from taking corrective measures. But threats to objects that have an important connection with people are more likely to make them take notice and act!

Thinking about climate change impacts in terms of the changes in these places and species can help in motivating individuals in our communities to voluntarily make climate friendly changes in lifestyle. Therefore, from a conservation perspective, it is important for this sort of empathy to be cultivated. For our communities, it means not only promoting engagement with nature- especially in the local area- but also encouraging community members to interact more with each other, to use local spaces, and to come to appreciate and adore their surroundings.

 P.S. For a helpful guide about the effects climate change could have on birds, check out this PDF from Audubon.

P.P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Want to stay in touch? Stay connected through our newsletter, blog, facebook, and twitter, and consider making a donation to keep this work going.

Thoughts on Obama’s Veto of Keystone XL

By reuben

By NCIPL Intern Reuben Gelblum Well, if you haven’t heard, Obama vetoed the Keystone XL bill Tuesday that he received from Congress, one of only three times he has used […]

Thoughts on Obama’s Veto of Keystone XL

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By NCIPL Intern Reuben Gelblum

Well, if you haven’t heard, Obama vetoed the Keystone XL bill Tuesday that he received from Congress, one of only three times he has used his presidential veto (for comparison, Reagan used his a record 78 times). Let us go ahead and say that we are elated about this decision.

Keystone XL involves building a pipeline from Canada to Mexico, where tar sands oil, the dirtiest in the world, would be shipped across the globe. While arguments for it have centered around its economic benefits, in fact only 50 permanent jobs would result from the project. Furthermore, the pipeline would cut across America’s heartland, a reason farmers and Native Americans have been some of the most vocal and steadfast opponents of this project. They are right to be concerned: there have been almost 6,000 pipeline accidents in the last twenty years and this one would cross more than 1,000 rivers, streams and waterways and come within a mile of 3,000 underground wells.

Chief Looking Horse leads an interfaith prayer action in front of the White House. Photo credit to Indigenous Environmental Network.
Chief Looking Horse leads an interfaith prayer action in front of the White House. Thanks to the Indigenous Environmental Network. for the photo.

Keystone would also be a huge step backwards for the climate. Keystone’s dirtier oil would yield about 17% more greenhouse gases than normal crude oil. And this could go on for a while: there’s enough that Keystone alone could sustain the world’s current level of oil production for the next 245 years!

For these reasons and more, we are really happy about Obama’s decision to veto this bill. While we sympathize with Keystone proponents in their desire to improve the economy, we cannot help but feel that their reasoning is a little short-sighted. Ethics and evidence are on the side of renewables, not fossil fuels: they are cheaper, cleaner, and life-sustaining rather than life-threatening.

Wind turbines

Yet, despite the good news of Obama’s veto, and his increasingly strong statements about climate change, serious work remains to be done. For example, the very same Obama administration recently released a draft five-year plan that would open the Atlantic to oil exploration for the first time, a plan that we’re not happy about.

Nonetheless we feel hopeful because of the incredible efforts made to fight Keystone and because, here in North Carolina, our state has some of the greatest capacities for solar and wind energy in the country. Check these stats out:

  • We are 4th in the nation for how much solar we already have installed
  • A recent report by Oceana identified North Carolina as having the greatest potential for wind energy and job creation among states along the Atlantic
  • Our solar industry already supports 5,600 jobs and represents a $2 billion investment.

So much for renewable energy not being good for the economy!

Solar farm in Roanoke Rapids
Solar farm in Roanoke Rapids

The fight against Keystone XL has been years in the making, and we want to express our deep gratitude and admiration to the many people who courageously, and lovingly, worked to stop it. We are indebted to you and this veto shows that people power pays off.

(One example is North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams, who spoke out in the House of Representatives against the pipeline. Thanks, Congresswoman!)

Activists at Stanford
Activists at Stanford during a recent visit from President Obama

Unfortunately, the struggle is not over. But President Obama has the power to stop it. Please, take a moment, read this beautiful letter to the President asking him to put an end to Keystone, and add your name. It’s one more way to show your love for creation.

We know that this work, that caring about creation, can be a draining, scary, and at times overwhelming experience. That’s one reason we developed our Earth Sabbath Celebrations. And it’s why, right now, we hope that you allow yourself to relish the joy of this moment: after years of organizing, lobbying, and spreading the word, we just witnessed the President of the United States veto a major bill, one proposing a terrible project.

Doing this work can be hard and it’s important to notice and celebrate the good things. So go out and celebrate, think about all the things that make you hopeful, and about the wondrous beauty and mystery of creation that is at the heart of this work. You deserve it!

Rhododendrons in North Carolina
Rhododendrons in North Carolina

P.S. For some local efforts, we’re planning our first advocacy day, Faith Voices for Clean Energy, on March 25th, where you can take part in-person at the legislature or online.

P.P.S. If you don’t like the idea of oil exploration off of North Carolina’s coast, check out the efforts underway to bring offshore wind to the Tarheel State. Very exciting!

P.P.P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Want to stay in touch? Stay connected through our newsletter, blog, facebook, and twitter, and consider making a donation to keep this work going.