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California Interfaith Power and Light Founder and President, the Rev. Sally Bingham is featured in Oprah Winfrey’s Magazine, “O.”

More than twenty years ago, Rev. Bingham was inspired to create a religious movement in response to the climate crisis. She became an Episcopalian priest and started what is now the nation-wide initiative of Interfaith Power and Light. Her work is paying off with more than 10,000 congregations of all faiths taking practical action to walk lighter on the Earth. ” The congregations serve as examples to the members of their communities,” says Sally.  Read more.

The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), SB 722, which aimed to increase California’s use of renewable energy for electricity, died in the Senate due to the legislative session running out of time. This bill embodied a two-year struggle in the attempt to increase renewable energies, aimed at lowering carbon emissions, decreasing air pollution and strengthening the economy through increased clean tech employment.

Some organizations are urging Governor Schwarzenegger to call a special session and pass the 33% RPS. If this does not happen, an Executive Order giving responsibility to the California Air Resources Board to develop an RPS will take effect. Any Executive Order may be halted by the stroke of a pen with a new governor in January, 2011.

On a lighter note, AB 1405, which calls for the creation of Community Benefits Fund aimed at alleviating the effects of poor air quality passed on August 30.

CIPL gives special thanks to all who sent action alerts, and made legislative visits and phone calls in the attempt to pass both bills. In light of the situation with RPS, our individual and congregational action is even more important.

ACTION ITEM #1: Increase California’s Use of Renewable Energy (SB 722)

One of CIPL’s top legislative priorities for the past two years has been to increase California’s portion of electricity from clean energy sources. SB 722 aims to increase our state’s renewable energy to 33% by 2020. Go to CIPL’s NEW Action Center and send an email that urges our California senators and assembly members to vote yes on SB 722. Be part of the clean energy future!

Other Action Items

ITEM #1: Cut Your Congregational Emissions by 10%

Sign up for Interfaith Power and Light’s 10% Challenge, pledging your congregation to reduce its energy use by 10%, or have plan to do so, by 10.10.10, the International Day of Climate Action. There are 500 CIPL member congregations and we’d love to see at least 20% sign up by October 1, 2010. Get more info on the 10% Challenge and sign up today.

ITEM #2: Help Defeat Prop 23!

Become a partner with CIPL in helping to defeat Prop 23 on the November ballot. This ill-conceived initiative, sponsored primarily by Valero and Tesoro oil companies, aims to halt the implementation of AB 32, California landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. It is deceptive in many ways, especially by putting forth the old, tired argument of “a healthy environment at the expense of the economy.” This has long proven to be false and we recognize that the two go hand in hand. Sign up to help us get the word out to the California faith community.

CIPL is currently marshaling the forces of the faith community in launching a state-wide campaign against Prop 23. This deceptive initiative aims to undermine  California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, by halting its implementation until state unemployment reaches 5.5% or below for four consecutive quarters. It is largely bank-rolled by two Texas-based oil companies, Valero and Tesoro, and  is deceptive in that it juxtaposes a healthy economy and a healthy environment. We know that the two go hand-in-hand.

YOU can be part of the action by hosting an event at your congregation, signing up to write editorial or letters to the editor and/or helping with a phone bank. To become a partner in defeating this initiative, fill out this short, on-line sign-up form.

RealClimate.org – Climate Science from Climate Scientists

The Met Office – United Kingdom

New Scientist

Clarification of Hacked E-mails from the Climate Research Unit

At-a-Glance: The Role of Faith and Common Climate Change Questions

As people of faith, we are called upon to respond especially to the most vulnerable in our world. This includes those who are and will be affected most by climate change, but who did the least to contribute to it.  We are charged to remember that the entire planet – including humanity – is not only God’s creation, but infused with God’s very self. Thus, when we respect the Earth, we respect God; when we misuse the Earth and her inhabitants, we are turning our backs on our Creator.

Is global warming real?

Yes – the scientific evidence is overwhelming.  In addition to countless reports by many well-respected scientists all over the globe, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that there has been an estimated 1.3 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature since pre-Industrial times. The IPCC is an international scientific body of roughly 1,000 scientists. The IPCC holds conferences every 5-6 years to discuss and present their latest research. The National Academy of Sciences is a nationally-recognized organization activein the fields of science and public awareness. Their on-going research includes a suite of climate studies entitled America’s Climate Choices.

The IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore; the former for its excellent leadership in science on the issue; and the latter for making this science more understandable to the public at large.

In addition to scientists, legislators, people of faith and environmental organizations, the Pentagon is taking the threat of climate change very seriously. As early as February 2004, the Pentagon was warning the American administration that ‘Disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life’ in many countries. One military spokesman, Ret. Vice-Admiral Dennis McGinn, has been speaking on the subject, including giving a statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July 2009. He stated that climate change is a “…threat multiplier for instability.”

What about people who say the Earth is cooling, especially with the very cold 2010 winter?

1998 was an unusually warm year because of the naturally occurring El Nino. This phenomena is linked to marked increased global temperatures and events such as hurricanes. 2005 was the first year that came close to being as hot as 1998; therefore, there was a false perception in non-scientific circles that the Earth was cooling. This perception is wrong. In fact, 11 of the hottest years on record have occurred since 1998, including 2009. An excellent primer on the misunderstanding  of global cooling has been put out by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Are we sure human behavior is responsible for these changes?

Yes. The key here is to understand the link between humanity’s burning of coal, oil and gas, and the increasing level of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, such as methane and water vapor, (referred to as “CO2/eq.”) Prior to the Industrial Revolution, CO2/eq remained at roughly 280 parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere. Recent studies have shown that the current level of almost 390 ppm is the highest in 2.1 million years. What has changed? Humanity’s burning of coal, oil and natural gas, all of which are trapping an increased amount of heat in the atmosphere.

Post Updated 01.28.10

California Interfaith Power and Light is 500 members strong, and growing! We need your help in continuing to grow our organization. Encourage your friends at other faith communities to join in.

Help us reach our goal of adding 100 new members in 2010!

Nearly 200 congregations around the nation have already signed up to reduce their carbon emissions, or have a plan in place to do so, by 10.10.10, the International Day of Climate Action.

In discerning the recent tragedy in The Gulf and our over-reliance on fossil fuels, the 10% Challenge is one way our national faith community can respond in a practical way. Together, we can make a difference and reduce our dependence on global warming fossil fuels. Take the Challenge and be part of something big.

CIPL is currently marshaling the forces of the faith community in launching a state-wide campaign against Prop 23. This deceptive initiative aims to undermine  California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, by halting its implementation until state unemployment reaches 5.5% or below for four consecutive quarters. It is largely bank-rolled by two Texas-based oil companies, Valero and Tesoro, and  is deceptive in that it juxtaposes a healthy economy and a healthy environment. We know that the two go hand-in-hand.

YOU can be part of the action by hosting an event at your congregation, signing up to write editorial or letters to the editor and/or helping with a phone bank.To become a partner in defeating this initiative, click here and fill out the short form. You will be notified by either Betsy Reifsnider or Allis Druffel.

Updated 08.09.10

Despite an apparent bleak outlook in terms of a national climate bill, netiher California Interfaith Power and Light nor its national IPL associates are giving up hope. Recent Lobby Days in the nation’s capitol (May 2010) and our state capitol (June 2010) witnessed leaders and clergy urging legislators not to give in to special interests in the struggle for carbon emissions.

The June Sacramento Lobby Day was a flurry of activity. 49 legislative visits were accomplished with a group of 15 clergy from around the state. The bills that CIPL had chosen to lobby for in particular were SB 722, the Renewable Portfolio Standards; AB 2529 (Fuentes) regarding State Agency Regulations; AB 1405 (de Leon) regarding Community Benefits Fund; and general pro-AB 32 discussion. Currently, AB 1405 is receiving a great deal of support; AB 2529 was pulled by the author before a crucial vote and presumed dead; and the RPS bill is due to come up for votes  with a deadline of August 31.

CIPL leaders and clergy lobbied for environmental legislation at their annual Cal Lobby Day in June

DC LOBBY DAY – May 2010: For a photo gallery of the DC IPL trip, click here.

Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) leaders from 36 states gathered in Washington, DC last week to lobby their House and Senate members for strong climate legislation. Two main priorities pushed were a strong, binding, enforceable cap on carbon emissions that reflect the latest scientific predictions and financing for domestic and international adaptation measures for those especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Did You Know? IPL’s national coalition has an on-going campaign around coal. And in the DC Lobby Day conference, a true prophet on the issue of Mountain Top Removal (MTR.) Lorelei Scabro, a coordinator of Coal River Wind, spoke of her transformation from a member of a coal family to activist, speaking out about MTR and advocating for wind energy. Speaking emotionally about her native West Virginia, she highlighted the feeling of “a sense of place,” recognizing the deep connection that she, her family and friends have with the land. Lorelie’s husband had worked in the coal mines for 35 years and died of black lung disease, an ailment that affects many coal miners due to exposure to coal. Immediately prior to her presentation, there was a breakout session on IPL’s on-going, multi-state initiative on this issue.

Lorelei Scabro with IPL Executive Director, Susan Stephenson