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Greetings! ,
From the National IPL office
Across a world divided in so many ways, one of the things that-sadly-unites us is the increasing damage from increasing temperatures. So far science has been in the lead in sounding the alarm, and the insurance industry (the part of our economy we ask to analyze risk) has not been far behind. Now we need faith communities the world over to step up and do their part in reading, like Daniel, "the writing on the wall."
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On the weekend of May 4 - 6 (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, depending on when your faith community gathers), we'll help organize a huge global day of witness. In communities around the planet that have felt the sting of climate change, people will gather to mark the spot where wildfires consumed houses, where floods took down bridges, where acidifying water bleached coral, where drought killed forests. As part of those rallies they'll form a "dot"-a dot we can connect with other dots across the planet to remind people that climate change is not a future threat but a current crisis.
In other places, people will form "dots of hope" around solar panels and wind turbines; they'll help dig community gardens and weatherize homes, they'll bike en masse or paddle to the middle of some lovely lake they'd like to see persist.
We're so hopeful that religious communities of every major religious tradition will be involved in this work. Both the Hebrew Bible and Gospel contain injunctions to love one's neighbor and to be good stewards of the Earth. One of the things that faith communities do best is bear witness, on our own behalf and on behalf of those whose voices are not heard in our societies.
This day will not solve the problem of climate change-that will be a long path. But it won't begin in earnest until we acknowledge as a civilization both that we're in trouble and that we have ways out.Please join us on the weekend of May 4 - 6, and keep us in your prayers.
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In the News! Director of OhIPL, Sara Ward, was quoted in a front page article of the Plain Dealer "Church turns heavenward for energy with solar array"
Sara Ward, former chief of the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Energy Efficiency and current executive director of Ohio Interfaith Power and Light, said her organization is interested in what the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland has done.
"It is critical for faith communities to engage around all of these issues, around climate change," said Ward, whose husband Bob is pastor of the First English Lutheran Church in Columbus.
"Even if you have issues with 99 percent of the scientists about climate change, sacred scripture has a very clear statement about our moral imperative to care for everything. That is one common theme that every faith community can claim."
For the full article, click HERE.
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An Opportunity to Take a Stand!
Tell EPA you support proposed safeguards to carbon pollution
Fossil-fuel burning power plants currently emit more than two billion tons of carbon pollution and other toxic pollutants into the air each year. This pollution fuels global warming and increases the number of unhealthy air days, resulting in more respiratory ailments, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and other harmful health effects.
Help us reach our goal of sending the EPA 10,000 comments in support of the new carbon safeguards on existing power plants from the Interfaith Power & Light community by June 13th, Click HERE to submit a comment.
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Caring for Creation: A Christian Imperative -3 Wednesdays Left!
An Eat-Learn-Live Series
North Broadway United Methodist Church 48 E. North Broadway, Columbus Ohio
Join us for a thought provoking series as we discuss our role and obligation as Christians to take care of the environment.
Three more Wednesday evenings-- May 2, May 9, May 16-starting each evening with a light supper at 6:30 pm ($3.00 donation suggested), followed by study session from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Child care is provided.
The Sessions Offered are:
- April 25: Rev. Alan Sippel, "The Why of Sustainable Agriculture"
- May 2: Prof. Jeff S. Sharp, "Critical Reflections on Sustainability, the Food System, and Social Change"
- May 9: Dr. Fred Hitzhusen, "Integrating Economics and Environment for a More Sustainable Energy Future"
- May 16: Dr. Greg Hitzhusen, "Environmental Stewardship: What Can We Do?"
For more information about the sessions as well as information on the entire series, click HERE.
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Send us your good news!If you have news, information or resources to share, please drop us a line at ohipl@ohipl.org, or visit our web site at http://www.ohipl.org/. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions!
Sincerely,
Greg Hitzhusen, Board Chair
Ohio Interfaith Power and Light |
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