Environment Commission
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof;
the world and all that dwell within.
Psalm 24:1
“The crisis of climate change presents an unprecedented challenge to the goodness, interconnectedness, and sanctity of the world God created and loves. … [the] acknowledgment of global warming, and the Church’s commitment to ameliorating it, is a part of the ongoing discovery of God’s revelation to humanity and a call to a fuller understanding of the scriptural imperative of loving our neighbor.”
-The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
US Senate Testimony, June 7, 2007
“For the Church of the 21st Century, good ecology is not an optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian.”
-The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Dr. Rowan Williams
Archbishop of
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
-Book of Common Prayer
Ecologists and spiritual leaders around the world are in agreement that the ecological crisis is, at root, a spiritual crisis. Underlying the degradation of the earth, are a myriad of human choices. All our choices need to be grounded in reverence for all that God has created.
The Commission for the Environment (COE) responds to the urgency of the environmental crisis that confronts us and acknowledges the importance of the Church in addressing the global problem of environmental degradation. Its purpose is to engage the Episcopal Diocese of California in a deeper understanding of the spiritual dimensions of ecological problems and to formulate those responses that will enable Episcopal Churches to become centers of ecological understanding, action, and healing.
By supporting environmental committees within all the parishes of our diocese, we seek to help others to live their faith.
PROGRAMS
- Provide resources to parish liaisons for the creation and support of parish environmental committees
- Enable parish liaisons to network with each other
- Provide theological and liturgical resources relevant to environmental issues
- Offer Adult Education materials (DVDs, Curricula)
- Host special events and workshops
- Facilitate communication within the diocese regarding environmental issues
ACT NOW!
Almost every church in our diocese has an Environmental Committee, with a Liaison to this Commission. Involvement in your church's Environmental Committee is a wonderful way to heal the Earth, transforming faith into action. Contact your parish COE Liaison to see how your gifts may be used in this vital ministry. Your Parish Adminstrator will have their contact information, or email Barbara Bisel (below).
Barbara Bisel, COE Co-Chair
bsmithbisel@cs.com
925-377-5953
The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham
diocalenvironment@gmail.com
Encourage your parish to become a member of California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL). With over 450 congregations in
To borrow educational dvds, learn about local speaker events, purchase CFL bulbs at discount – and more – visit the California Interfaith Power and Light site, www.interfaithpower.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Healing Our Planet Earth: Singing a New Song of Hope: Thursday, April 10 thru Saturday, April 12, 2008, Hilton Seattle Airport &Convention Center. A national conference focused on the web of relationships between faith, justice and ecology. It will be a place and time where people of all faith traditions and environmental communities come together to learn, share, inspire and seed plans for sustainable action, and a global sustainable future. Hear Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori speak her vision for relationships between faith, justice and the environment; both within the conference setting and to the public at an open address. www.healingourplanetearth.org.
Dr. William Collins: The Science of Global Warming: Tuesday, April 8, 7:30 pm, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Dr. Collins is is a senior scientist and department head at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a Professor in residence with the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Collins is also a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder Colorado. He received his M.S. and Ph. D. in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of Chicago in 1984 and 1988, respectively. His research has focused on the interactions of solar and terrestrial radiation with the climate system and on the implications of these interactions for present and future climate. He has authored or co authored 64 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and delivered over 60 invited presentations at scientific conferences, universities, laboratories, and colloquia. He has organized five and chaired nine international meetings on subjects spanning radiation and climate. Bill served as the chair of the scientific steering committee for the Community Climate System Model project from 2003 to 2005. He is currently a lead author and expert reviewer of the Fourth Assessment Report on the science of climate change commissioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, for which his team was awarded the Nobel Prize. Location: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephen's Drive, Orinda (off Hwy 24, exit St. Stephen's Drive). Contact: Barbara Bisel, bsmithbisel@cs.com, 925/377-5953.
IN THE NEWS
Presiding Bishop Speaks at Congressional Hearing on Global Warming. Citing the need for immediate attention to serious issues of global warming, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori represented the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) at a June 7th Congressional hearing on global warming. Jefferts Schori testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The Presiding Bishop, who in 1983 earned her doctorate from Stanford in oceanography, approaches the issue of climate change from both scientific and theological perspectives. Her testimony to the Senate Committee notes the specific effects of climate change on those living in poverty. Jefferts Schori regularly emphasizes care for the environment as part of the Millennium Development Goals, affirmed within the Episcopal Church's current top mission priority. http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Testimony&Hearing_ID=e39940af-802a-23ad-4371-252edd78194f&Witness_ID=4d7e1aae-f883-4527-9b14-b3db7dc417b8
Reflections on Poverty and Climate Change. "Before I became a priest, I was a professor of oceanography. One of the things I learned was that oceanographers couldn't just study squid or fish in isolation. We had to study interconnected systems. We had to understand not only the animals' environment, such as the water, but its chemistry and circulation, the atmosphere above the ocean and the geology below it. And that, I believe, is how we must understand our world: We must see everything, and everyone, as interconnected and intended by God to live in relationship." by Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, San Francisco Chronicle Open Forum, Sunday, May 20, 2007; http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/05/20/EDGHQP1IR11.DTL
The Rev. Sally Bingham, Founder of Interfaith Power & Light and The Regeneration Project, Receives EPA's 2007 Climate Protection Award http://www.epa.gov/cppd/awards/2007winners.html
Go Green, Churches Urged. The Church of England is taking a big step towards going green. Every parish church is being invited to audit its current energy use to determine the size of its 'carbon footprint', a term for the impact that carbon emissions have on the environment. A series of creative initiatives from draught-exclusion and energy-saving light bulbs to water management and car-sharing are set to follow, which will help churches as they attempt to reduce the dent they make in the environment. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/yearreview/dec06/gogreenchurchesurged.html
Science and Religion Unite on Climate: An excellent discussion of the religious/moral imperative for religion and science to unite in caring for the earth. Dr. Stephen H. Schneider is a professor of biological science at
Drink bottled water? You'll rethink that after reading this: "The Real Cost of Bottled Water" (
ECUSA GENERAL CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS
1991 (reaffirmed in 2006):
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, affirming our responsibility for the earth in trust for this and future generations:
1 Declares that Christian Stewardship of God's created environment, in harmony with our respect for human dignity, requires response from the Church of the highest urgency;
2 Calls on all citizens of the world, and Episcopalians in particular, to live their lives as good stewards with responsible concern for the sustainability of the environment and with appreciation for the global interdependence of human life and the natural worlds…
New in 2006:
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention affirm that Global Warming threatens the future of God’s good creation, and the effects of Global Warming disproportionately hurt the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in the United States and around the world; and be it further Resolved, That Episcopalians and The Episcopal Church at every level support efforts that seek to reduce Global Warming, including national and international legislation that increase the supply of clean energy and reduce consumption of fossil fuels…
RELATED LINKS
RELIGION & ENVIRONMENT
The Regeneration Project: An interfaith ministry devoted to deepening the connection between ecology and faith. Related to CIPL, their goal is to help people of faith recognize and fulfill their responsibility for the stewardship of creation. Specifically, the IPL campaign is mobilizing a national religious response to global warming while promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. People of faith have an opportunity to put their faith into action and help reduce the devastating effects of global warming. www.theregenerationproject.org.
The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN) is a nationwide network within the Episcopal Church USA that coordinates with the Peace and Justice Ministries Office of the Episcopal Church USA. As such we are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and find our roots in the Celtic Spirituality of this tradition. The EpEN includes all concerned Episcopalians who are helping our Church assume a leadership role in the worldwide environmental movement, just as our Church leads in other peace and justice issues. http://eenonline.org
The Living Church Foundation promotes and supports orthodox, catholic Anglicanism within the life of the Episcopal Church. The following is a cover article, "Churches are taking the lead in conserving resources," by Michael O'Loughlin: www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=28
The Episcopal Café: The Café is collaborative effort by more than two dozen writers and editors, and an ever-growing list of visual artists. Together, we aspire to create a visually appealing, intellectually stimulating, spiritually enriching and at least occasionally amusing site where Episcopalians and those interested in our church can read, watch, listen and reflect upon contemporary life in a context informed by faith and animated by the spirit of charity. The Café includes essays and art on a variety of topics, including environment. http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/environment/
RESOURCES
The
About Energy Learn how our gas, electric and hydro systems work, and get info on Diablo Canyon Power Plant.http://www.pge.com/education_training/about_energy/
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Resources for preventing and reducing waste at home, as well as guides on recycling. www.ciwmb.ca.gov/schools
Ecoproducts Biodegradable products and products made from recycled materials, everything from cups and utensils, to packaging, carpeting & furniture. www.ecoproducts.com.
Electronic Waste Management EWM and ACQuisitions Office work to keep e-waste out of
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations
Native Energy's Carbon Footprint Calculator: provides an easy and interesting means of calculating your family's current CO2 emissions, and for getting ideas for lowering your impact on the environment. www.nativeenergy.com/lifestyle_calc.html
Solar Energy PG & E provides excellent solar classes on topics including PV (PV) systems, solar water heating, and financial analysis for PV systems. www.pge.com/solarclasses.
Recycling CFL bulbs, etc. Are you having trouble finding a place to recycle your energy saving compact florescent lightbulbs or other things? Click on this website and enter your zip code in the green box at the top. http://earth911.org/
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
GOVERNMENT
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the environment in the United Nations system. It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet’s natural assets for sustainable development. www.unep.org
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. It is currently finalizing its Fourth Assessment Report "Climate Change 2007". The reports by the three Working Groups provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the current state of knowledge on climate change. www.ipcc.ch/
Current Energy Supply of and Demand for Electricity in