Eco-Justice Connection

An initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches

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EJC Voices

Hurricane Resilience: America Acts on Climate Part 2

By chris

The 2014 Hurricane Season launched with North Carolina’s coast as a direct target. We made it through ‘Arthur’ but have a whole alphabet of potential storms which to prepare for this […]

Hurricane Resilience: America Acts on Climate Part 2

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The 2014 Hurricane Season launched with North Carolina’s coast as a direct target. We made it through ‘Arthur’ but have a whole alphabet of potential storms which to prepare for this summer. “Hurricane Resilience: America Acts on Climate” is a series of three educational events will take place at the Historic Train Depot in Morehead City, NC.  The first meeting in July was very well attended and participants left feeling that important connections had been made and the conversation well-begun.

Lake Chatuge GreenFaith Team (a NCIPL Regional Partner) to Launch Energy Saving Campaign

By nancy

The Lake Chatuge GreenFaith Team, (LCGFT), a group of environmentally concerned churches from Northern Georgia and Western North Carolina, will be publishing environmental “tips” in local papers and radio outlets […]

Lake Chatuge GreenFaith Team (a NCIPL Regional Partner) to Launch Energy Saving Campaign

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energy-saving-coin-bankThe Lake Chatuge GreenFaith Team, (LCGFT), a group of environmentally concerned churches from Northern Georgia and Western North Carolina, will be publishing environmental “tips” in local papers and radio outlets as well as church bulletins aimed at showing how simple energy saving practices can save money and make a big difference in reducing environmental damage due to carbon emissions.

“If every home would institute just a few energy saving practices, we would reduce the need for fossil fuel generated electricity by as much as all the energy now being generated by all the solar units in the country”, according to Brad Rouse, Chair of the Green Team at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville and a Hiawassee resident.

Dr. Vernon Dixon, chair of Hayesville’s Immaculate Heart of Mary GreenFaith Team and a Hiawassee resident, pointed out that recent proposed regulations for reducing fossil fuel sources by utilities is not a big issue for TVA, as it has encouraged the use of solar and other energy producing alternatives as well as energy saving home practices. “The fact that they have done so much makes it much easier for them to meet the proposed guidelines” he said.

Much of the impetus for this movement comes from Good Shepherd’s Energy Saving Voluteers program which makes small changes in the homes of lower income clients to help them save electicity costs, which are a major burden in maintaining their homes in the winter. Rouse, who heads up the project, says it is the simple things that can make a big difference for the families they have assisted. Hinton Center’s summer home repair program is also working to help these families improve their lifestyle.

The public information project is aimed at taking the lessons learned from these and other programs and making them available to all living in our mountain area.

For more information on the Energy Saving Volunteers program, contact Rouse at 404-754-0892.

For more information on the Lake Chatuge GreenFaith Team, contact Jim McMichael at 850-445-3881 or spiritfilledpress@gmail.com.

#PutSolarOnIt – National Day of Action

By chris

On June 21, 2014, the longest day of the year, Interfaith Power & Light is joining a coalition of groups in coming together for a National Day of Action to show support for switching to clean energy, fighting climate change, and the power of bringing solar power to communities all across the country. Contact info@ncipl.org for more information on how you and your congregation can be involved in the solar revolution!

#PutSolarOnIt – National Day of Action

by

put-solar-on-it

On June 21, 2014, the longest day of the year, Interfaith Power & Light is joining a coalition of groups in coming together for a National Day of Action to show support for switching to clean energy, fighting climate change, and the power of bringing solar power to communities all across the country.

2014 has been a breakout year for solar. Solar equipment costs continue to come down and installations continue to grow. More solar energy generation has been installed in the U.S. in the last 18 months than in the 30 years prior, and solar energy is the leading source of new electric generation capacity so far this year. The United States now has enough installed solar capacity to power more than 2.2 million homes. In many states, solar power is now competitive with other sources of energy without emitting the dangerous greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light recognizes the important and hopeful role solar panel installations play for communities of all faiths. NCIPL has produced a very useful Financing Solar Clearinghouse that offer many useful suggestions for congregations interested in doing a solar project.

The overwhelming judgment of science is that we need to act on climate. Solar energy is a win-win solution: this growing sector can create jobs, bring savings to consumers and reduce the production of dangerous carbon pollution that causes climate change.

All across America there are opportunities to #PutSolarOnIt – to turn our homes, our congregations, our schools, our lands and our neighborhood rooftops into solutions to climate change.

June 21st is a National Day of Action for us all to find a way to #PutSolarOnIt by identifying, supporting, and rallying our social networks to support solar energy, or joining a local event to support a community based solar installation.

Contact info@ncipl.org for more information on how you and your congregation can be involved in the solar revolution!

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#PutSolarOnIt – National Day of Action

By chris

On June 21, 2014, the longest day of the year, communities of faith from around the country will come together in a coalition of groups for a National Day of Action.

#PutSolarOnIt – National Day of Action

by

put-solar-on-it

On June 21, 2014, the longest day of the year, communities of faith from around the country will come together in a coalition of groups for a National Day of Action to show support for switching to clean energy, fighting climate change, and the power of bringing solar power to communities all across the country.

Follow the events stream on Twitter at #PutSolarOnIt.

Solar Congregations and Resources

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North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light recognizes the important and hopeful role solar panel installations play for communities of all faiths.

NCIPL has produced a very useful Financing Solar Clearinghouse that offer many useful suggestions for congregations interested in doing a solar project.

Contact info@ncipl.org  for more information on how you and your congregation can get involved in the solar revolution!

*****

EPA Takes Moral Action to Cut Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

By chris

On June 2nd, 2014 the EPA acted 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. 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.

EPA Takes Moral Action to Cut Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

by

EPA_IPLstatement

On June 2nd, 2014 the EPA acted 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 show your support!

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.

The EPA 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.

 

 

We Drew a Line in the Sand

By nancy

On Saturday, May 17, at noon, about 30 people gathered at the Atlantic Beach/Fort Macon Swimming Beach for the nation-wide “Hands Across the Sand Demonstration” to promote clean energy and […]

We Drew a Line in the Sand

Hands across the sandsOn Saturday, May 17, at noon, about 30 people gathered at the Atlantic Beach/Fort Macon Swimming Beach for the nation-wide “Hands Across the Sand Demonstration” to promote clean energy and protest offshore oil drilling. The following organizations were represented: NC Interfaith Power and Light, Croatan Group of the NC Sierra Club, the Surfriders Association and the Unitarian Coastal Fellowship Green Sanctuary Committee.