Earth Care News
March 2019
In this newsletter:
Faith Climate Action Week Kits Now Available
Paris to Pittsburgh Film Showings on April 8 and 10
Webinar on Vermont’s Progress on Energy and Climate – Monday, March 4
The Vermont Equity and Infrastructure Act: H. 477
Eating Simply for Lent
Calming Troubled Waters: Local Solutions — VT Law School, April 4
350Vermont’s Next Steps Walk from Middlebury to Montpelier — April 5 – 9
LEAP Energy Fair: April 6, 9 am – 3 pm, Crossett Brook Middle School Gym
Advancing Clean Energy Investment in Northern New England
Energy in the American Mind: December 2018
David Roberts’s Vox Article on the Green New Deal Resolution
Wisconsin Pastor Supports the Green New Deal with a Hunger Strike
Faith Climate Action Week Kits Now Available
Faith Climate Action Week, from April 5 -14 this year, is the annual National Interfaith Power & Light event where clergy and lay leaders in congregations across the country are engaging their congregations in climate action and reducing the use of fossil fuels. They are preaching about global climate change, having film screenings and workshops, and other events. The Faith Climate Action Week Kit and materials are available to order or download.
The kit includes: postcards to send to senators (re: supporting the Green New Deal); an outdoor service project guide; a global warming fact sheet; a “forest bathing” guide; and info on a mini video photo project. The complete kit is $24. Order it, or download all or any part of it for free at this website. When your congregation has planned something for Faith Climate Action Week, please post it on the website.
Paris to Pittsburgh film showings on April 8 and 10
VT Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) is collaborating with VT Climate and Health Alliance and the Colchester energy committee (for Apr. 8 showing) to show this National Geographic documentary Paris to Pittsburgh on Monday, April 8 in Colchester (more details in the April newsletter) and on Wednesday, April 10 at the United Community Church of St. Johnsbury – both showings at 7 pm. A discussion follows, and we expect Lt. Governor David Zuckerman to be with us on April 8 in Colchester. This informative film is focused on the climate crisis and the many solutions people across the country are finding to address it. Light refreshments will be offered; a free will offering will be collected. ContactVTIPL for more information.
Webinar on Vermont’s Progress on Energy and Climate – Monday, March 4
The Energy Action Network (EAN) has just released their 2018 progress report. EAN and VT Natural Resources Council are co-hosting a webinar at noon on Monday, March 4. Register to hear about the report’s in-depth analysis.
The Vermont Equity and Infrastructure Act: H. 477
Winooski State Representative, Diana Gonzalez, recently introduced H. 477, The Vermont Equity and Infrastructure Act, which would address Vermont’s carbon emissions by weatherizing 25,000 low-income homes, installing 52,000 high-efficiency heat pumps, transforming transportation, and it would lower property taxes. Watch the video of Diana on VPIRG’s Facebook page to learn more.
Eating Simply for Lent
Christian’s Lent begins on March 6, and for many, it’s a time to make changes. The Catholic Climate Movement has resources for eating simply – in a more climate-friendly way. Find resources from recipes to FAQs here.
Calming Troubled Waters: Local Solutions — VT Law School, April 4
In this lecture, Professor John Nolon, from Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, will explore the local foundations of a comprehensive regime of water law. Currently, these systems of law aren’t coordinated, and citizens aren’t well protected. The model Professor Nolon presents is a model for dealing with climate change and the imperative that the law evolve to meet societal challenges. The event, which is open to all, will be at Vermont Law School’s Chase Center on Thursday, April 4 at 5:15 pm. More details are here.
350Vermont’s Next Steps Walk from Middlebury to Montpelier — April 5 – 9
This walk, sponsored by 350VT, will be a 53-mile sacred walk for climate justice, April 5 – 9, from Middlebury to the State House in Montpelier. Participants will celebrate solutions to the climate crisis that are underway, and will grieve the pipeline, ecosystem destruction, and multi-faceted injustices of the “Industrial Growth Society.” At the State House, the group will escalate their call for a ban on fossil fuel infrastructure. People can join the walk for all or part of it. Register and get more details.
LEAP Energy Fair: April 6, Crossett Brook Middle School, Duxbury
Waterbury’s energy committee, LEAP, sponsors this annual fair – the largest energy fair in the state – held in the gym at Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Saturday, April 6 from 9 am – 3 pm. Admission is free. There will be 75+ exhibits and break-out sessions on a variety of topics including heat pumps and weatherization. The on-site refreshments include free ice cream. Here are details.
Advancing Clean Energy Investment in Northern New England
This report was done by the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) for the Nature Conservancy and Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Energy in the American Mind: December 2018
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication recently released this report which found that there is “strong bipartisan support for requiring electric utilities to use 100% clean, renewable energy…”
David Roberts’s Vox Article on the Green New Deal Resolution
Wisconsin Pastor Supports the Green New Deal with a Hunger Strike
Grace Lutheran Church pastor, Rev. Jonathan Barker, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, announced on February 15 that he was starting a 12-day hunger strike to persuade politicians in Wisconsin to take action on climate. Here’s the story.
VTIPL helps people of faith and spirit better understand the climate crisis and 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
