Global Warming
Simple Steps for Taking Action
You can begin now to reduce the causes of global warming and become an active steward of creation by participating in action programs of Oregon Interfaith Power and Light.

Religious Leaders Speak Out!
Here are some recent articles and op-eds.
February 16, 2007, Religious leaders urge Congress, faithful to list to climate scientists, Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon.

Where Do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Global Warming?  
Below are two informative sites that are tracking the positions of the presidential nominees.
 
www.presidentialprofiles2008.org/ Hosted by League of Conservation Voters, this site provides a profile that uses a lot of material provided by the candidates plus their LCV voting records.

www.grist.org/candidate_chart_08.html Hosted by Grist, this chart provides a side by side comparison of the nominees on key energy and environmental policies.

EMO does not endorse candidates for political office. These web links are intended to provide information on a candidate’s position on issues of concern to our constituents.

Is the media providing enough coverage of global warming in the presidential races?
A new Web page is tracking this issue. It says, “The climate crisis will be the biggest challenge facing the next president, but the top Sunday hosts don’t seem to think so.” Sign a petition asking for better coverage of global warming at http://www.whataretheywaitingfor.com/.

2007 Energy and Climate Legislative Priorities  for the Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign and EMO
Global warming has become a top moral issue for people of many faiths. The 2007 Oregon Legislture presents many opportunities for helping Oregon become a leader in global warming solutions.

1. Increase energy efficiency opportunities throughout Oregon.
   • Extend funding for the Energy Trust of Oregon.
   • Increase energy efficiency standards for several appliances.
   • Explore an increase in the public purpose charge for Energy Trust.
   • Improve building standards to increase energy savings in new and existing buildings.
   • Explore an increase in the public purpose charge. 
2. Create a cleaner and greener electricity supply for Oregon
   • Set a Renewable Energy Standard for electricity of 25% by 2025
   • Clarify the Public Utility Commission’s authority on greenhouse gas emissions.
   • Establish a global warming pollution standard for Oregon’s power suppliers. 
3. Create essential infrastructure for achieving broad reductions of greenhouse gas emissions
   
   • Establish goals to arrest the growth of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 and reduce by 2050, “a climate stabilization” emissions level of at least 75 percent below 1990 levels.
   • Establish an Energy Commission, with new and specific responsibilities, to begin coordinating efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.
4. Reduce the impact on low income consumers of any increases in utility rates by increasing energy assistance funding from $10 million to $15 million with future indexing for inflation.

Endorse the Oregon Interfaith Energy and Climate Charter! A Vision and Strategy for a Just and Sustainable Energy Future for Oregon
Our state is at a crossroads in determining its energy future. Will we continue down a path of greater dependence on fossil fuels or move toward clean, renewable energy? The Oregon Interfaith Energy and Climate Charter challenges Oregonians to take the latter path and provides a roadmap. The Charter highlights Oregon’s legacy and opportunity in caring for Creation and calls upon our elected leaders, the faith community and all Oregonians to bring forth a vision of the future that will reflect our responsibilities for stewardship of the Earth through wise policies and decisions regarding energy and climate change. It includes the state of the State’s Energy and Climate Policy and outlines guiding principles shared by many faith traditions. INEC and the Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign are asking lay and clergy religious leaders, organizations and denominational bodies to put faith into action by endorsing the Charter. Please download a copy.

Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign
The Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign is coordinated by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns. The Campaign engages Oregon’s faith community in addressing the overarching threat to Creation in our time—global warming. It is one of 10 such state campaigns underway as part of a coordinated national effort by the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, National Council of Church of Christ and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. The Oregon Campaign was launched at a statewide training conference in October 2000 at Silver Falls State Park. In 2001, a series of regional conferences were held in The Dalles, Medford, Eugene and Portland. The Campaign focused on the public debate on the Senate Energy Bill in 2002 and held other events including an Interfaith Energy Independence Day on Nov. 11, 2002, which drew attention to the moral implications of our transportation choices. A steering committee composed of people from diverse faith backgrounds guides the Campaign.

Goals of the Campaign
• Educate people of faith in congregations and religious bodies on global warming.
• Encourage congregations and other religious bodies to use less energy, purchase green energy and advocate for expanded investment in renewable energy and conservation.
• Develop and deliver a message on global warming to the media, to elected officials, including U.S. senators, and others in positions of leadership in our communities and state.

Oregon Religious Leaders’ Statements on Global Warming
Many of Oregon’s religious leaders, including rabbis, pastors, priests, bishops and conference ministers, signed the Oregon Religious Leaders Statement on Global Warming that was released at the October 2000 training event. Over 70 religious leaders from across the state have signed the statement. In May 2001, 55 leaders signed on to the "Let There be Light" statement calling for an emphasis on energy conservation in our nation’s energy policies. In February 2002, over 80 leaders signed on to a comprehensive faith-based statement on the Senate energy bill. “An Open Letter to US Automobile Companies" was presented to the CEOs of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler in November 2002, signed by over 40 national religious leaders, as well as state religious leaders including five clergy from Oregon.

Contact
Jenny Holmes, Coordinator, Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, 0245 SW Bancroft, Suite B
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 221-1054, ext. 214, inec@emoregon.org

Other Opportunities for Action
www.focusthenation.org
www.stepitup2007.org

Resources
Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign
Interfaith Climate Change Network (ICCN) - Sign up on the Interfaith Climate Change Network at www.protectingcreation.org. On the ICCN you will find:

• Ways to become more faithful stewards of creation.
• Pending public policy that will affect creation.
• Sample letters to send to policymakers
• Also, you will be contacted periodically about new developments and advocacy opportunities.

Climate and Faith: E-alert for Oregon and the Northwest - The Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign provides the Climate and Faith electronic alert, which provides advocacy alerts, news of significant developments related to global warming and ideas for action. To subscribe, send an e-mail to sympa@onenorthwest.org with "Subscribe climateandfaith, Firstname Lastname" in the subject line.

Earth Care Coordinator - The INEC Earth Care Coordinator program supports individuals and groups in greening their congregation. Liaisons are provided with educational materials for their congregation, as well as opportunities to train together with other liaisons, share ideas and support one another, and participate in meetings with policy makers and community leaders. Download an application.

Northwest Climate Connections - www.climatesolutions.org. EMO’s Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns is proud to be a member of Northwest Climate Connections, a growing network of organizations, businesses and jurisdictions from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia that are working together to demonstrate how protecting the climate helps us build a healthier, more sustainable region.
NW Climate Connections members are:

• Active and aware on climate issues.
• Committed to being part of the solution within their own organizations and operations.
• A growing constituency and market for broader solutions, including policy solutions.

To keep up to date on climate solutions in the Pacific Northwest, subscribe to NW Climate Connections, an e-bulletin, covering the growing NW groundswell for clean energy, transportation choices and climate protection! To subscribe, e-mail info@climatesolutions.org.

Worship Resources
A Liturgy of Repentance in a World with Changing Climate

Recursos en español (Resource in Spanish)

• Onda Verda (an inclusive Web site on a host of environmental topics in Spanish, with an especially good section on global warming)
• Salud Hoy (an excellent website on environmental concerns including information on global warming, air quality and health issues)

Bio Fuels
Oregon Bioduels Network - www.biofuelsoregon.org
Sequential Biofuels - www.sqbiofuels.com

Energy Efficiency
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy - http://aceee.org
Bonneville Power Administration - www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/, www.saveawatt.info
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network - www.eren.doe.gov
Energy Star Program of U.S. EPA (Energy Star Congregations) - www.energystar.gov, (888) STAR YES, (503) 595-4490

Energy Trust of Oregon – www.energytrust.org. 1-866-368-7878. The Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. provides energy efficiency programs and renewable energy programs to customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, Cascade Natural Gas, Avista and NW Natural. It is an independent, public purpose organization dedicated to sustainable energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. The organization provides energy audits to homes, businesses and congregations. www.energytrust.org

Oregon Department of Energy - http://Oregon.gov/ENERGY, (800) 221-8035. Information about renewable energy, energy efficiency and Oregon's energy tax credit program.

Faith Based Organizations
Coalition on Environment and Jewish Life - www.coejl.org/climatechange/index.php
Evangelical Climate Initiative - www.coolingcreation.org/about
Interfaith Climate Change Network - www.protectingcreation.org
Interfaith Power and Light - www.interfaithpower.org
National Council of Churches - www.nccecojustice.org/climatehome.html

Green Building
Environmental Building News - www.buildinggreen.com
Portland Office of Sustainable Development - www.portlandonline.com/osd/
The Rebuilding Center - www.rebuildingcenter.org
U.S. Green Building Council - www.usgbc.org

Regional Energy Organizations
Fair and Clean Energy Coalition - www.Oregoncub.org. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is a member of the Fair and Clean Energy Coalition, which is a project of Citizen’s Utility Board of Oregon. Fair and Clean is coordinates energy and climate advocacy efforts in the Oregon Legislature.

NW Energy Coalition - www.nwenergy.org. NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of more than 100 NW organizations who promote development of renewable energy and energy conservation, consume- protection, low-income energy assistance and fish and wildlife restoration on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. EMO’s Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns is a member.

Renewable Energy
American Solar Energy Association - www.ases.org
American Wind Energy Association - www.awea.org
Bonneville Environmental Foundation - www.b-e-f.org When you purchase a green tag from this Web site to offset carbon dioxide emissions from your household or transportation, please be sure to click that you are a member of Oregon Interfaith Power and Light, so that we can track the faith community response. Also, OIPL gets $1 for every green tag sold.
National Wind Coordinating Committee - www.nationalwind.org
National Wind Technology Center - www.newenergy.org
Project Vote Smart - www.vote-smart.org
Renewable Northwest Project - www.rnp.org
Solar Oregon - www.solaror.org

Solar Access
www.solaraccess.com

Films to Enlighten and Inform Your Congregation

"The Great Warming" has been endorsed by a cross section of faith-based groups. To date, the film has been screened in over 700 churches and synagogues with the support of the NCC and numerous Interfaith Power and Light groups. It is uplifting—and unique in suggesting that climate change is a moral, ethical and spiritual issue. The film features a major segment about the emerging voice of faith communities urging action on this issue, including a scene with ex-ER doctor Matthew Sleeth, who has given up medicine to preach to faith communities about the threat that climate change poses—particularly in the health arena (Dr. Sleeth is the author of "Serve God, Save the Planet"). A faith-based DVD set of the film is now available via their Web site at www.thegreatwarming.com. It contains the regular film, over 70 minutes of extra interview footage (much of it faith-based), the licensing agreement, which permits the screening of the film in a faith center, and downloadable support material such as sermon, Sunday school and discussion guides.

DVDs and Videos Available for Loan
We have the following DVDs and videos available for loan:
• Kilowatt Hours: A Plan to Re-Energize America
• Global Warming in Oregon: Generation to Generation
• Lighten Up! A Religious Response to Global Warming
• Too Hot Not to Handle
• God's Creation and Global Warming
• Zig Zag: Transportation Choices
• An Inconvenient Truth

We ask for a $5 donation to send the DVD or video to you. Please call (503) 221-1054, ext. 210, to have one of these films sent to you.