The following is a story by Sarah Kessinger of Harris News Service on one of CEP’s new ventures – a Kansas chapter of the Interfaith Power and Light organization. (Original found here.)
What would Jesus drive?
The question’s become a catchy motto for at least one national religious group.
But a number of other faith-based organizations also are exploring the issue of fossil fuel consumption as awareness of climate change grows.
One new Kansas group has plans under way to lend churches a hand in curbing their carbon footprints.
Interfaith Power and Light, an ecumenical program of the national Regeneration Project, sought a few years back to reach out to churches nationwide by sending them copies of Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Since the film’s release, some 4,000 congregations have joined chapters of the program in 26 states, including Kansas.
One Kansas member said she was motivated to become involved largely by the state’s debate over coal-fired power plants, an increasingly endangered water supply as well as other issues.
“I’ve been impressed in how they want to make resources available to people across the country,” said Laurie Hesed, a Mennonite in rural Barton County who serves on Kansas Interfaith Power & Light’s new steering committee.
It’s exciting to think, Hesed said, of the prospects to initiate action statewide.
“If change happens it’s probably going to change from the grassroots level.”
While several congregations already have some sort of “green” committees, Kansas Interfaith Power & Light seeks to help them share information across denominations and work collectively on endeavors such as recycling drives, distribution of compact fluorescent lightbulbs and low-carbon diets for Lent, said Eileen Horn, community outreach coordinator for the Climate and Energy Project of the Land Institute at Salina.
Horn, who is facilitating the chapter’s work in Kansas, said the group would help provide energy audits for church facilities to identify financial savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
They also plan to guide congregations on how to apply for low-interest loans and grant programs for energy efficiencies recommended by audits. And they’ll help churches raise funds for solar or wind energy.
Churches tend to be overlooked, Horn noted, when it comes to funding for energy audits.
“Congregations are in between, they’re not a big company and they don’t qualify for low-income home programs. They’re caught in the middle and most are cash-strapped,” she said. “We’re trying to connect them to resources so they can put their faith into action.”
A handful of congregations spread around the state are already gearing up for energy audits, she said, while at least one Lawrence church has already done one.
The interfaith network, which has its first steering committee meeting of 15 clergy and lay leaders in August at Emporia, also aims to educate churches on how to support public policies that reduce the threat of climate change.
The general dialogue on the issue might be one of gloom and doom, Horn said. But in churches, that’s not necessarily so.
“The faith-based community is adding this element of hope that doesn’t really exist in the scientific and political circles,” she said. “For me it’s been very inspiring to work with these churches because they have a different perspective. What they can do is an issue of faith.”
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On faith and environmentalism: Some major faith traditions’ statements on climate change
“As a matter of stewardship and justice, Christians must take action now to reduce global warming pollution and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world whose land, livelihood and lives are threatened by the global climate crisis.”
The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church
“At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God’s creation and the one human family.”
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
“Climate change is real and human induced. It calls for action soon. And we are saying action based upon a biblical view of the world as God’s world. And to deplete our resources, to harm our world by environmental degradation, is an offense against God.”
The Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals
“(The Church) strongly urges all Presbyterians to immediately make a bold witness by aspiring to live climate neutral lives …”
-2006 Presbyterian Church General Assembly resolution on climate change
“Global warming threatens the future of God’s good creation and the effects of global warming disproportionately hurt the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in the United States and around the world.”
The Episcopal Church’s response to global warming07/03/08
