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Evangelical Scientists Urge Congress to Take Action on Climate Change

sunsetThis month, more than 200 evangelical scientists signed a letter calling on Congress to take action on climate change. The letter, which refers to scripture, urges Congress to pass effective legislation to reduce carbon pollution during this Congress.

The scientists, all evangelical Christians, point to their faith as well as to science.

“Christian scientists across the country view science as a gift from God, a tool to discover the mysteries of Creation.” said Dr. Larry Louters, Professor of Chemistry at Calvin College.

Dr. Dorothy Boorse, from Gordon College, said “Three basic principles in the Bible should underlie our concern about climate change,” she said. “Care for the poor, pursuit of justice, and stewardship of creation.”

To read the letter, or for the list of scientists, click here.

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New Energy Efficient Appliances Perform Better

appliancesAccording to a new report, newer appliances are not only more efficient, they actually perform better. Newer appliances also frequently include new features. The report, conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, was released in late May 2013.

The report also states that product prices have stayed the same in many cases, or even have declined as efficiency has improved.  For those appliances that cost more now, the electricity bill savings outweigh the price increases, say the authors.

“Everyone knows that replacing your old appliance with a new, more efficient model will save you money on your utility bills,” said Steven Nadel, ACEEE executive director. “What this report shows is that consumers haven’t had to sacrifice good performance or new features in exchange for improved efficiency.”

“From light bulbs to refrigerators to air conditioners, today’s products save energy and money while delivering performance that equals or beats the products they replaced,” said Joanna Mauer, ASAP senior researcher and lead author of the report. “In addition, consumers can choose from new features that were not even available in the old, inefficient versions.”

You can download the report or get more information here.

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Form an Energy Challenge Team

energyteamchallenge

If you live in Central New York, you might be interested in forming an Energy Challenge Team. The Central New York Energy Challenge Team is a free and voluntary program designed to encourage households to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint through a process of shared learning.  Team participants are provided with the tools to take actions that reduce their household energy usage, benefitting the environment and their wallets at the same time.

The Energy Challenge Team program utilizes a cooperative team-based format so that participants have the support they need to succeed.  Teams are made up of 5-8 households inclusive of a team facilitator.  The facilitator is responsible for recruiting members and conducting meetings according to a provided guidebook, each team member receives a workbook.  Teams meet for approximately one hour each week over the course of 6 weeks to learn and discuss ways to save energy. Previous participants in the program have achieved a 29% savings in energy usage.

Energy Challenge teams provide a fun and supportive environment where participants can learn to improve their energy efficiency while saving money, improving comfort in their homes, and enjoying the company of neighbors and/or colleagues.

If you are interested in forming an Energy Challenge team, please contact Sam Gordon, CNY Energy Challenge Coordinator* at sgordon@cnyrpdb.org or (315) 422-8276, ext. 204.

*The CNY Energy Challenge is an initiative of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, a public agency serving Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, and Madison Counties.

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Do the Climate Ride

climaterideClimate Ride is a fully-supported, five day charitable bike ride that supports groups working for a sustainable future, including the national Interfaith Power & Light movement. Join other committed riders for an unforgettable adventure from New York City to Washington, D.C. this September 21-25, 2013

For details, click here.

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New York Crossroads

What: New York Crossroads: Rally to Stop Fracking and Demand Renewable Energy
When: Monday, June 17th, 12pm-3pm
Where: Rally and March in East Capitol Lawn, Albany, NY

NYCrossroads

My name is Joseph Varon, and I live in West Hempstead, Long Island.

I’m an environmental activist, retired teacher, and native New Yorker, who volunteers with Food & Water Watch.

I’m also an Orthodox Jew, whose faith inspires a reverence for our Earth. On June 17, I’ll be taking the bus to Albany for New York Crossroads, the rally against fracking and for renewable energy.

I love nature and the outdoors, and I’m terrified that fracking could destroy some of our beautiful state’s most precious landscapes.  And, of course, I’m worried about the threat of climate change and how fracking could poison our water, air, and food.

I hope you’ll join me in making New York Crossroads an amazing event.

If you want to arrange a car pool, email Corinne Rosen.

Thank you so much for helping protect our state.

– Joseph Varon

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Sacred Earth Community: An Interfaith Panel Exploring Economic and Environmental Sustainability

sunthroughtreeSunday, June 23, 2013, 2-4pm
Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan (Broadway and Wall Street)

Join prominent religious, spiritual, and social leaders, authors and activists to explore how we can work together to foster peaceful, just and sustainable relationships with one another and with Earth. The panelists will offer insights from the world’s great religious traditions and spiritual teachers, science, and their daily experience.

Together they will explore a unifying spiritual narrative grounded in the sacredness of the earth. The panelists are David Korten, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Acharya Judith Lief, Rabbi Arthur Waskow, and the Rev. Richard Cizik. Please RSVP to SacredEarth@trinitywallstreet.org to attend in person at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan (Broadway at Wall Street) or via webcast at www.trinitywallstreet.org.

This event is organized by the Contemplative Alliance and Trinity Institute®.

For more information, call 212-602-0871 or email SacredEarth@trinitywallstreet.org

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Did You Know?

churchroofsolarYour Church, Temple, or Synagogue will likely qualify for a free energy assessment and a low-interest loan for energy improvements.

Once you have done an energy assessment, NYSERDA has two financing options:

  1. You can get half of a loan (up to $50,000) financed by NYSERDA at 0% interest.
  2. NYSERDA may finance your project (for the improvements recommended in your energy assessment).  To pay this loan back, you would pay an incremental amount on your utility bill.

For specific questions or to sign up for a free energy assessment, please call NYIPL at (315) 256-0078 or email jswatkins@nyipl.org.

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New York State – Entirely Renewable

sun_bw_abstractA recent groundbreaking study demonstrates how New York State can move to an entirely renewable platform by 2030!

Renewable NY
Local Energy Today and Tomorrow!

On Monday evening, May 13th, come hear the authors of this study explain the technical capacity, economic feasibility and benefits of a renewable energy infrastructure that can transform our state by eliminating dependence upon fossil fuels.

6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Mount Kisco Library,  (http://www.mountkiscolibrary.org) in Mount Kisco New York. Free.

Speakers:
Marc Z. Jacopson PhD (via Skype), Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Director, Atmosphere/Energy Program, Stanford University

Anthony R. Ingraffea, PhD, PE Professor of Engineering, Cornell University, and President, Physicians, Scientists and Engineers for Healthy Energy, Inc.

Jannette M. Barth, PhD
Pepacton Institute LLC

Moderator – Paul Gallay, President, Hudson Riverkeeper

Westchester Update – Herb Oringel, Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium (NWEAC)

Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Click here to register!

For more information please call Ellen Weininger at Grassroots Environmental Education (914) 422-3141 or email renewableny2030@gmail.com

This program is co-sponsored by New York Interfaith Power & Light.

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Connect with Other Congregations

bulletinbdWant to connect with other, like-minded congregations? We are pleased to announce that we have a new listserv that will allow you to interact with congregations across the state.  Ask other congregations for practical ideas on environmental stewardship. Or share your own wonderful ideas and experience.

For those unfamiliar with listservs: this is an invitation-only email list (there will be no spam). It works kind of like an interactive bulletin board, where one can post a question or comment, and others can respond. Messages are received in your email inbox.

To register, you need to belong to a congregation that is a member of NYIPL. To see if your congregation is a member, click here. If your congregation is not a member, WE WANT YOU! Click here to sign your congregation up. Then, to sign up for the listserv, click on this link  and enter in your email address. You will be confirmed shortly.

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3 Free Webinars in May

leafandglobeNYIPL sponsors free webinars for congregations wanting to improve their energy efficiency.

  1. Saturday, May 11th at 9:00 a.m. – Residential Energy Assessments
    This call will show how a residential energy assessment can help your worship leader’s home (parsonage, manse, etc.) as well as your own house.
  2. Tuesday, May 14th at 2:00 p.m. – Lilies of the Field
    Learn how you can glorify Creation on the grounds of your house of worship while reducing costs and environmental impacts.
  3. Saturday, May 18th at 9:00 a.m. – The Link Between Creation Stewardship and Economic Development
    How do renewables and energy efficiency help with job growth and economic development?

To register, or for more information, call (315) 256-0078 or email jswatkins@nyipl.org.