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Dear Climate Champion,
Thank you for participating in this year’s National Preach-In on Climate Change. I so appreciate your leadership on this critical issue. Together, we’re going to have a bigger impact than we did last year! In 2013, we sent over 30,000 postcards to President Obama asking him to act boldly on climate, and he has. During the summer he issued his Climate Action Plan and this fall the EPA issued proposed carbon safeguards for power plants.
Now, we’re going to send thousands of postcards to Congress so they hear our call to protect Earth’s climate, and thus our children’s future and all of Creation. The theme of the 2014 Preach-In is "Doing our Part." Congregations in all 50 states are doing their part by using energy more efficiently and greening their facilities to help curb climate change and protect our children's future. We are doing our part – now we need our representatives in Washington to do theirs.
With this kit and your brilliance, I trust your event will be both memorable and impactful. I’ll be with you in spirit as you give your Preach-In Sermon.
Blessings on you and your work,
The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham President, Interfaith Power & Light
February 2014
RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL PREACH-IN EVENT
Hold a Preach-In sermon or talk on climate change. You are part of something big! On the weekend of Valentine’s Day, clergy, lay leaders, and other people of faith across the nation will speak of their abiding love for God’s Creation and concern about climate change. Our cause is more urgent than ever. So give a sermon, a talk, or invite members of the community to participate in a climate discussion. Find sermon ideas and resources at www.preachin.org. Use the Preach-In Bulletin Inserts in your program. Insert the enclosed Bulletin Inserts into your program so that your members make the connection between your sermon and the National Preach-In on Climate Change. This will lend to the sense of excitement and community. It will also tell them what to do next.
Send the Preach-In postcards (Valentines) to your Senators. Filling out the postcards to senators will give people a positive and easy action that they can take to make a difference. The postcards urge senators to do their part to protect the climate and our children’s future by supporting EPA safeguards on polluting power plants. If you need additional postcards, you can order them at www.preachin.org. Instruct people to place the postcards in a basket during a plate collection, or as they leave the congregation. Send the postcards to your senators using the enclosed envelopes by adding the name of your target senator on the envelope label. Be sure to return our survey, so we know how many you sent! Print your own or order more at www.preachin.org. Return the “I Will” Pledges enclosed. Ask people sign the enclosed pledge sheet so they join with others across the nation who are concerned about climate change. Send these back to IPL at the address on the sheet.
Add your activity to the www.Preachin.org map. The National Preach-In on Climate Change website features an interactive map that shows all of the different activities planned across the nation. Promote your activity in your area and attract new congregants who are interested in this issue. Visit www.preachin.org to add your event.
IN YOUR PREACH-IN ORGANIZER’S KIT
Sermon Talking Points Find and print Preach-In sermon talking points multiple faiths at www.preachin.org.
Facts About Climate Change The fact sheet will provide you with the latest information on global warming science that you can include in your talk or sermon, along with helpful online reports and tools.
Chasing Ice Interfaith Power & Light is thrilled to bring Preach-In participants the exclusive viewing rights for the film, Chasing Ice. This award-winning film was viewed at the White House by President Obama and helps the most hardened climate change skeptic see the light of day. Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. Your viewing link information, password, license, and discussion guide are all included in this guide. Watch Online thru 2/24/2014: http://vimeo.com/exposurellc/review/84620277/e012b93878 Password: interfaith2014
Bulletin Inserts Place these informational flyers in your program on the day of your sermon, talk or event. These will help educate congregants about climate change and the Preach-In. People will be encouraged to fill out postcards to senators following the service, so be sure to have someone ready at a table or to hand out the postcards. Print your own, or order them at www.preachin.org.
Postcards (Valentines) to Senators Ask people to fill these out during or after your sermon, talk or event, and drop them in a basket on their way home. Or collect postcards at a tabling event and coffee following your service. Please collect, count, and send the postcards to your Senators in the envelopes in the kit. You can print your own, or order postcards and bulletin inserts at www.preachin.org
Use a large envelope to send Postcards to Your Target Senator Use a 9 x 12 envelope to send the postcards to your senator – the one who most needs to hear from you. If both need to hear from you, and you double sign postcards. Send the postcards in a large envelope to:
Office of Senator _________________ (your senator’s name) United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Affix postage and include your return address.
“I Will” Do My Part Pledge sign-On sheet to return to IPL These can be used at gatherings to provide people with a way to join with others across the nation who are concerned about climate change. They will be added to the Interfaith Power & Light mailing list for future alerts and opportunities to be part of the solution.
Survey Form and Donate Card to return to IPL When your Preach-In event is over, please send us an email to let us know how things went, and how many postcards you were able to send to your senator/s. Email your response to: [email protected]
The Facts About Climate ChangeHere are the latest findings from the 2013 assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and by the United States Global Change Research Program. This is why we must act now.
Climate change is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. The emissions from burning fossil fuels, including oil and coal, are creating a layer of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere that acts like a blanket, trapping heat. The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years.
Extreme weather is underway. 1983–2013 was likely the warmest 30-year period of the last 1400 years. The jet stream pattern is slowing and becoming more meandering. This is causing both winter and summer storms to stall, which translates into snow and rain falling on one area for a longer period (deeper snow, floods). Sometimes the slower jet stream means less rain and more severe drought, that in turn increase the risk of wildfires. In general, the weather is becoming more erratic and unpredictable.
Sea Ice is Disappearing and Seas are Rising. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have been losing mass, glaciers have continued to shrink worldwide. Many U.S. coastal areas are already experiencing climate-related erosion and flooding.
Crop and livestock production is increasingly challenged. Increased heat, pests, water stress, diseases, and weather extremes pose adaptation challenges for crop and livestock production. Plant reproduction is also being affected.
Threats to human health will increase. Health impacts of climate change include heat stress, waterborne diseases, poor air quality, extreme weather events, and diseases transmitted by insects.
Warming will continue to increase. The extent of warming will be directly proportional to how much we can cut our carbon footprint. The European Union and many scientific bodies have concluded that avoiding the most severe outcomes.will require keeping the total global average warming to no more than 2°F above present levels.
Delays will make a big difference in the annual rate of emissions reductions required to meet targets, a delay of global action by 10 years would nearly double the required rate of emissions reduction in 2025.
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warmingwww.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Waste Recycled Paper with soy-based ink.
Together we can protect the climate and our future.
What’s at Stake, What You Can DoTo reduce Earth’s warming, we must immediately work towards reducing atmospheric carbon levels. In the last
50 years, CO2 has jumped from 315 ppm (parts per million) to its present 400 ppm. If this figure continues to
climb, climate impacts are projected to become much more severe, widespread, and irreversible. This is why we
all must do our part to reduce our personal and congregational carbon footprint as much as possible.
Model energy efficiency by becoming a Cool Congregation. Visit www.coolcongregations.org for more information. Cool Congregations walk the talk, and inspire their members at home to practice energy efficiency, conservation, and use of renewable energy.
Participate in our annual PreachIn.org and send a “Love Creation” postcard to senators urging them to
act boldly to protect the climate. Thousands of postcards from people of faith help drive home the point.
Global Warming Reports and ResourcesIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Climate Report provides a comprehensive assessment of the physical science basis of climate change in 14 chapters, supported by a number of annexes and supplementary material. A total of 209 lead authors and 50 review editors from 39 countries and more than 600 contributing authors from 32 countries contributed to its preparation. Visit www.ipcc.ch
Climate Visualized. What do the new IPCC climate sensitivity estimates mean for future temperatures? Plug in your age and preference for F° (fahrenheit) to see into the future! Visit kiln.it/embeds/ipcc
National Climate Assessment is a large-scale national project that is conducted under the auspices of the congressionally mandated Global Change Research Act of 1990 and is one of the many activities of the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), a program which coordinates and integrates federal research on changes in the global environment and their implications for society. The report is issued every five years for members of Congress and President Obama. The 2014 DRAFT report is now available. Visit www.globalchange.gov
What Does 400 ppm Mean? The climate-warming gases in the atmosphere have passed 400 ppm (parts per million). Find out what it means in this interactive online exhibit. Visit kiln.it/embeds/keeling
Summaries of public attitudes concerning climate change from Yale. Visit bit.ly/1aXs5uG
President Obama’s Climate Action Plan. President Obama has stated that we have a moral obligation to lead the fight against carbon pollution. Learn about the details of his plan, the centerpiece of which directs EPA action to reduce carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. Visit www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-action-plan
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warmingwww.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Waste Recycled Paper with soy-based ink.
Together we can protect the climate and our future.
Love Creation
"
“I WILL” do my part to protect the climate for future generations
Love Earth
“I WILL” do my part to protect the climate for future generations
Dear Senator,As a person of faith, I believe we have a moral obligation to future
generations to leave them a planet that is not polluted or damaged by
climate change. I support America’s transition away from dirty energy
sources to clean energy and a brighter future. I will do my part to protect
climate for future generations. Can I count on you to do your part?
We must act now if we are to have any hope of preserving the Earth’s
bounty for future generations. In 2014, please support the EPA’s Carbon Pollution Standards for New and Existing Power Plants. Thank you in advance for doing your part.
Sincerely,Print Full Name
Address
City, State ZIP
Congregation (optional)
46 cents
"
46 cents
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warmingwww.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Office of Senator _________________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warmingwww.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Dear Senator,As a person of faith, I believe we have a moral obligation to future
generations to leave them a planet that is not polluted or damaged by
climate change. I support America’s transition away from dirty energy
sources to clean energy and a brighter future. I will do my part to protect
climate for future generations. Can I count on you to do your part?
We must act now if we are to have any hope of preserving the Earth’s
bounty for future generations. In 2014, please support the EPA’s Carbon Pollution Standards for New and Existing Power Plants. Thank you in advance for doing your part.
Sincerely,Print Full Name
Address
City, State ZIP
Congregation (optional)
Office of Senator _________________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
"
Congregations around the country are doing their part to protect the climate and future generations. Thousands of congregations across the country are participating in the National Preach-In to send a strong faith message to Congress that climate change is a moral issue demanding our full attention and action.
Through Interfaith Power & Light, people of all major religions are also transitioning away from heating and cooling with dirty energy, and switching to clean, renewable energy to ensure a brighter tomorrow for all our children.
Please urge your senator to do their part by supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon pollution standards for new and existing power plants. It will be healthy for us, the climate, and for all of Creation. Please fill out the Preach-In postcard today.
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warming
www.inter fa i thpowerandl ight .org
Ask Your Senators to Do Their Part
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warming
www.inter fa i thpowerandl ight .org
Ask Your Senators to Do Their PartCongregations around the country are doing their part to protect the climate and future generations. Thousands of congregations across the country are participating in the National Preach-In to send a strong faith message to Congress that climate change is a moral issue demanding our full attention and action.
Through Interfaith Power & Light, people of all major religions are also transitioning away from heating and cooling with dirty energy, and switching to clean, renewable energy to ensure a brighter tomorrow for all our children.
Please urge your senator to do their part by supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon pollution standards for new and existing power plants. It will be healthy for us, the climate, and for all of Creation. Please fill out the Preach-In postcard today.
"
By Acting Today, We Can Reduce the Warming
This graph shows two global warming scenarios.
If we continue on the path of using fossil fuels for energy, the warming will be muchgreater.
If we begin now to transition to clean, renewable energy,we can reduce the warming and severity of the impacts.
We must act now! Please urge your senators to do their part today.
Thank you!
From climate projections formula used for 2013 IPCC Climate Report.
By Acting Today, We Can Reduce the Warming
This graph shows two global warming scenarios.
If we continue on the path of using fossil fuels for energy, the warming will be muchgreater.
If we begin now to transition to clean, renewable energy,we can reduce the warming and severity of the impacts.
We must act now! Please urge your senators to do their part today.
Thank you!
From climate projections formula used for 2013 IPCC Climate Report.
CHASING ICE Discussion Guide
– PAGE 1 –
Film Introduction Thank you everyone for coming to this screening of the film Chasing Ice! The film is 75 minutes long and will play all the way through the credits before we end with our discussion and Q+A. The credits include James Balog’s still photography from his expeditions and features our Oscar nominated song “Before My Time” written by J. Ralph and performed by Scarlett Johansson and Joshua Bell. Please take this time to silence your phones. Thank you again for coming.
Top Discussion Questions1. If you had some knowledge on climate change before the film,
has your perception shifted or been reinforced in any way?
2. Has your local city or neighborhood experienced any effects of climate change? Do you know anyone who has experienced the consequences of climate change?
3. What skills do you posses, like James who used his photography, to make a difference for this issue?
4. What is one change you want to create in your community to combat the effects of climate change?
5. What would you like to tell an elected official in your town, country or world about climate change?
What Can You Do to Help?1. The most important thing to advance the message of climate
change is to use individual’s voices to shift perception. Odds are good that everyone knows somebody who is still skeptical about climate change. This film can be used as a tool to show visual evidence of how the planet is changing. Even if it doesn’t convince someone 100% that climate change is happening, our research shows that it will likely shift their opinion, even just a little bit. If there are questions about climate change that go beyond what is covered in Chasing Ice, visit www.skepticalscience.com. Keep in mind that it is fair for people to have questions about climate change. There is so much mis-information being circulated about this issue that it is easy for people to be confused. It is now everyone’s responsibility to help share the evidence Chasing Ice captures and spread the truth about the issue..
2. In the film, James used his skills as a photographer to tell the story of glacial melting. Everybody on our team—whether they were the lawyers or producers or composers—used their unique skills to make a difference for this issue. We leveraged our abilities and resources to do the most we could to raise awareness. With a problem as global and widespread as climate change, everyone needs to be creative and inventive to solve this collectively.
CHASING ICE Discussion Guide
– PAGE 2 –
3. Most people are dubious about writing to their politicians. However, to really address climate change properly, we need political involvement. As informed citizens, we need to tell our representatives that we care about this issue. It is especially important to support your local representatives as they have the most flexibility to take quick action. Reach out to your politicians in PUBLIC ways—through Facebook, Twitter, and online—so that your friends see you are making a difference.
4. There are lots of organizations that are doing great things for the environment, including many that we have partnered with. Our website www.chasingice.com lists some of our key allies, and other groups you can get involved with locally.
5. Share your stories with us! We’re online at facebook.com/chasingice and twitter.com/chasingice. Getting friends to see the film is another way you can use your voice to raise awareness about the issue.
6. For more ideas on how you can make a difference, visit www.chasingice.com.
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Please return to Interfaith Power & Light. Fax: 415-561-4892 or Mail: 369 Pine Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94104
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warmingwww.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Waste Recycled Paper
“I Will” do my part to protect the climatefor future generations and all of Creation.
Add your name and email below to be included on Interfaith Power & Light’s e-mail notification list. You will be kept in the loop of interesting events and opportunities to be part of the solution. Thank you!
Together we can protect the climate and our future.
List Congregation’s Name, City, State:
Print Full Name Clearly Print Email Address __________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return to Interfaith Power & Light. Fax: 415-561-4892 or Mail: 369 Pine Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94104
Interfaith Power & LightA Religious Response to Global Warmingwww.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Waste Recycled Paper
“I Will” do my part to protect the climatefor future generations and all of Creation.
Add your name and email below to be included on Interfaith Power & Light’s e-mail notification list. You will be kept in the loop of interesting events and opportunities to be part of the solution. Thank you!
Together we can protect the climate and our future.
List Congregation’s Name, City, State:
