GREEN MOUNTAINS, BLUE WATER:
Earth Care News from
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light (VTIPL)
February 2014
In this newsletter:
Preach-In: Materials Available Through Earth Day
Send a Comment On Keystone Pipeline
Update on Net Metering Bill
Winter Driving Tips: Guidelines for Future
Lenten Carbon Fast
Sustainable Living Expo in Middlebury
Moral Dimension of Carbon Pollution
Vermont: First in Solar Jobs Per Capita
The Last Irene
Interviews Filmed: VTIPL Board members, staff, supporters
PREACH-IN: Materials Available Through Earth Day
National Interfaith Power and Light sponsors Preach-In each
year during the weekend on or near Valentine’s Day. Clergy
across the country preached about caring for Earth, and many
other Earth stewardship events were offered. If your congrega-
tion hasn’t yet been able to participate, there’s still time. The
materials will be available through Earth Day. Find them at www.preachin.org
SEND a COMMENT ON KEYSTONE PIPELINE; Stand
with the church in East Texas
The period for submitting a comment on the Keystone XL
pipeline ends in early March. Comment at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=DOS-2014-0003
People in East Texas are already dealing with the pipeline
since the southern leg was completed and has begun operating.
Read this plea to people of all faiths from a Nacogdoches, TX
church and stand with them in opposing Keystone XL:
http:txipl.org/content/plea-climate-action-church-southern-leg-keystone-xl
UPDATE ON NET METERING BILL
Vermont’s House of Representatives passed a net metering bill;
it’s now in a Senate committee. Please encourage state senators
to support a strong net metering bill so Vermonters across the
state will again be able to install solar. Read about it here: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/viewart/20140129/NEWS07/301290030/Vermont-House-advances-net-metering-bill
WINTER DRIVING TIPS: Guidelines for Future
This week’s “Eco-Justice Notes” commentary has guidelines
for winter driving, and explains that this is also good advice
for the challenging future we face. These guidelines include
listening to weather forecasts, believing the experts, going slow,
and watching conditions far ahead (not just what’s right in front
of us). The commentary also has links to stories on climate
chaos happening worldwide: the winter heat wave in Alaska; a
continuing heat wave in Australia; and record rain and flooding
in England. Go to: https://www.eco-justice.org/E-140214.asp
LENTEN CARBON FAST
New England Regional Ministries is again sponsoring “Lenten
Carbon Fast” – a series of daily email messages throughout
Lent. The emails include many useful resources and offer ideas
to help participants reduce their carbon footprint and care for
Earth. Those who signed up for Carbon Fast last year will be
automatically subscribed again. If you haven’t yet participated
and would like to, click here to sign up:
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001iwO4OMLt4flxteQ1zZIPTg%3D%3D
SUSTAINABLE LIVING EXPO in MIDDLEBURY
The Expo will be at Middlebury Union High School (73
Charles Avenue) on Saturday, March 29 from 9 am to 4 pm,
with a Saturday, April 12 snow date. The Expo features work-
shops, exhibits, and other events to promote sustainable living.
Workshops will be in the following areas: food & farming;
energy conservation & renewable energy; transport & the
digital economy; home & gardening; health & well-being; and
nature & wilderness. Environmental Champion Kathryn Blume
will speak. The Expo will also include lively music, festive
performances, and local foods served all day in the cafe. Over
100 exhibitors will participate including VTIPL. Learn more
at https://acornvt.org/sle2014/
MORAL DIMENSION OF CARBON POLLUTION
In a piece for the Huffington Post titled “Faith Communities
Stress Moral Dimension of Carbon Pollution at EPA,” Peter
Adriance, of the US Baha’i Office of Public Affairs, speaks
about testimonies that he and other faith community members
delivered at a recent EPA hearing. They spoke of the need for
robust carbon standards for new power plants in this country,
citing the adverse effects carbon pollution has on health, and
saying our children and future generations have a right to fresh
air. As an example of the effects carbon pollution is having
worldwide, one person spoke about his trip to Kenya. The
farmers there told him that they used to be able to grow two
reliable crops a year. Now they can only grow one crop a year
due to climate change, and that crop is unreliable. Read it here:
www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-adriance/faith-communities-stress-_b_4769649_html
VERMONT: FIRST in SOLAR JOBS PER CAPITA
According to a report just released by The Solar Foundation,
Vermont ranked number 1 in the nation in solar jobs per capita.
Almost 1,000 solar jobs were added in Vermont in 2013. Solar
employment will grow by 15% across the country next year,
the report predicts, adding to a 50% increase since 2010. The
50% decrease in installation costs for solar since 2010 has been
the leading factor in this growth. The article in VTDigger has
details: www.vtdigger.org/2014/02/11/vermont-solar-jobs-per-capita-u-s/
THE LAST IRENE
This 22-minute video has many images of Tropical Storm Irene
devastation as well as historical film footage and a story about
the flood of 1927. Experts discuss reasons for Irene and other
recent storms, and Vermonters share their stories.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LeOUkjOVpg&feature=youtu.be
Interviews Filmed: VTIPL Board members, staff, supporters
Five Middlebury College students, as part of a seminar they
were taking, interviewed and filmed some members of VTIPL’s
board, staff, and other supporters. A seven-minute video and
others are posted on VTIPL’s website. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EulE9KOR974&list=TL7DkJVpKiqUyYMZ3Jlzpgsa4usE
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light (VTIPL) educates people
of faith about the climate crisis and actions to care for Earth.
SUPPORT VTIPL: Send a check or donate online.
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light
P.O. Box 209, Richmond, VT 05477
info@vtipl.org 802-434-3397 www.vtipl.org