Earth Care News
January 2018
In this newsletter:
Faith Climate Action Week: April 14 – 22, 2018
ESSEX Plan Presentation in Richmond, Jan. 29
ESSEX Plan and Frequently Asked Questions
How to Tax Carbon – Rutland Herald Editorial
Recharge Together – Active Hope Event in Middlebury
Celebrating Sacred Waters of Lake Champlain’s Watershed – Lewis Creek
Arctic Warming, Loss of Sea Ice, and the Jet Stream
‘Bomb Cyclone’ Swirls Across US East Coast
Cashing Out from the Climate Casino
NY to Divest its $390 Billion Pension Funds from Fossil Fuels
Edward Teller’s 1959 Warning to the Oil Industry
Faith Climate Action Week: April 14 – 22, 2018
This is an initiative of national Interfaith Power & Light. From April 14 – 22, people of faith across the country will: hear sermons about global climate change; take action to address the climate crisis; attend informational workshops and programs about ways people can reduce their carbon footprint and more! We encourage your congregation to choose a way to participate in this time of climate action. Vermont Interfaith Power & Light is teaming up with Efficiency Vermont to help congregations take action steps. Please be in touch with VTIPL if your congregation would like us to come and help spark action during Faith Climate Action Week or at another time in April or May. The national IPL website has more information and will soon have 2018 materials available.
ESSEX Plan Presentation in Richmond, Jan. 29
At Richmond Free Library beginning at 7 pm on Jan. 29, Chittenden County State Senator, Chris Pearson, and Energy Independent Vermont Director, Tom Hughes, will give a presentation and answer questions about the ESSEX Plan to put a price on carbon. ESSEX is an acronym for Economy Strengthening Strategic Energy eXchange. The event is free and open to all. The library is at 201 Bridge Street; parking is in the adjacent Town Center parking lot. VTIPL is sponsoring the event with the Richmond Climate Action Committee. Contact Betsy Hardy: 802-434-3397 or email for more information.
ESSEX Plan and Frequently Asked Questions
Read the ESSEX Plan and the FAQs are here.
How to Tax Carbon – Rutland Herald Editorial
Read this Rutland Herald editorial for more about the ESSEX Plan.
Recharge Together – Active Hope Event in Middlebury
This event, Recharge Together: A day of Active Hope to strengthen us for challenging times, will be on Sat., Jan. 27, 9 am – 4 pm, at Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury. It will be led by Marc Lapin and Kristen Andrews. The day of experiential, interactive practices – inspired by Joanna Macy – gives participants the opportunity to deeply embrace gratitude and pain in these times. Two registration options are offered: half day — 9 am – noon; and full day — 9 am – 4 pm. BYO lunch; $10 suggested donation. To register or for more information, contact Heidi Willis at 802-352-4327 or email.Addison County Interfaith Climate Action Network sponsors.
Celebrating Sacred Waters of Lake Champlain’s Watershed – Lewis Creek
Join us on Sat., Feb. 24 from 10 am – noon at Common Ground Center in Starksboro (473 Tatro Road) for this wonderful free event. Participants will choose to go on a winter walk with a naturalist or take part in other winter activities and games. Hot beverages and treats will be offered. Contact VTIPL for more information.
Arctic Warming, Loss of Sea Ice, and the Jet Stream
Those of you who have been reading this newsletter for years may have already watched videos of Professor Jennifer Francis speaking about her research on the loss of Arctic sea ice and the effect it’s having on global weather. This video (26 minutes) has some updated information.
‘Bomb Cyclone’ Swirls Across US East Coast
An Earth satellite provides a stunning view of the Jan. 4 ‘bomb cyclone’ on the East Coast of the U.S.
Cashing Out from the Climate Casino
In this NY Times article, Bill McKibben speaks about the increasing momentum of the divestment movement as more and more banks, other businesses, and governments divest from fossil fuels.
NY to Divest its $390 Billion Pension Funds from Fossil Fuels
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo said that New York will divest its public pension funds from fossil fuels, and funds will be reinvested in renewable energy. The combined $390 billion in the pension funds is among the largest in the world. Read the details here.
Edward Teller’s 1959 Warning to the Oil Industry
On its hundredth birthday in 1959, nuclear weapons physicist Edward Teller warned the Oil Industry about global warming. Read more in the Guardian article.
VTIPL helps people of faith and spirit to better understand the climate crisis and to take action to care for Earth.
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light
P.O. Box 209, Richmond, VT 05477
info@vtipl.org 802-434-3397 www.vtipl.org
