Creation Protection Campaign
Never before in history, have human beings had the capacity for destroying the Earth as they are today. This continuing destruction of the environment, on a global scale, seriously brings into question whether humankind and the majority of living creatures can survive in the years to come.
Destruction of this magnitude of the Creator’s home for all living things points to a moral and spiritual crisis in humanity. It also presents an unprecedented challenge to those who profess to believe in a Creator, live a faith-based life, and seek to honor the Creator’s works.
The ongoing destruction of life on Earth demands that the leaders and congregants of every faith community consider their roles as stewards of creation and how they can lead society, through inspiration from their own traditions, to life-affirming and immediate changes in how humanity interacts with sacred Creation. Perhaps no other element of society can have a larger influence on how humanity responds to this call than faith-based communities.
The Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment (OCICE) developed the Creation Protection Agreement for the purpose of educating congregations of the importance of Caring for and Protecting Creation through Responsible Stewardship. Read the letter that OCICE mailed to all Orange County congregations.
OCICE offers workshops to help guide you through the process of speaking to your congregation about environmental stewardship, greening your house of worship, home, school, and office, as well as many others. Please visit our Programs Page for details.
Still not convinced that Climate Change is real or do you know someone who still isn't convinced? Join us for a special luncheon for Orange County Clergy and their house of worship's Social Justice and Environmental Lay Leaders on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. View the invitation here or RSVP here.
AB 32 Under Attack
A number of Texas-based oil companies are pouring money into a ballot initiative here in California. Why? Becasue they don’t want to clean up their act.
In a desperate attempt to undermine the state’s ground-breaking environmental policies, these companies are funding a campaign to stall (or cancel completely) California’s comprehensive plan for climate change mitigation. Assembly Bill 32, approved in 2006, would place a cap on the state’s emissions, bringing them down 30% by 2020.
Companies like Valero and World Oil Corporation have contributed almost $1 million to support a ballot initiative that would delay implementation of AB 32 until California’s unemployment rates hold at or below 5.5 percent for a year. Realistically, this equates to an indefinite postponement – a quick look at unemployment data over the past two decades shows that rates rarely stay that low for an entire year.
Republican gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Steve Poisner have jumped on the initiative, claiming that curbs on carbon emissions will destroy jobs and increase the burden on consumers. The campaign continues to cite statistics from a CSU Sacramento report which has since been thoroughly discredited.
In response, the California Environmental Procession Agency released document entitled “Setting the Record Straight on AB 32.” They point out:
- Small businesses are not regulated by AB 32, and costs to them will be negligible. Many of California’s largest employers support the bill (Google, Ebay, etc.)
- AB 32 is likely to save households money by supporting energy efficiency; such measures have already saved Californians $56 billion.
- Capping emissions would further boost California’s robust clean energy sector. California’s energy efficiency policies have already created 1.5 million jobs
Considering the amount of money being spent, he initiative it likely to be on the ballot in November. The nation will be watching to see where Californians stand on an issue that their state has pioneered for decades. It will be a huge blow to the environmental movement if oil money manages to reverse the progress of the US leader in clean energy and emissions regulation.
What Some Faith Communities
Say About Creation Care
The Catholic Church adds "Thou Shall Not Pollute the Earth" as a new sin.
Southern Baptist Leaders Shift Position on Global Climate Change
Getting Started
