If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it.
--Lyndon B. Johnson

August Interfaith Conference Call: Keystone XL Pipeline & 2011 Cool Congregations Challenge

KeystoneXL pipeline

Our August interfaith environmental conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, August 24th at 12:00 p.m. On this call, we'll cover two important topics: the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would bring heavy oil from Canada's tar sands to Houston, and this year's Cool Congregations Challenge.

For the Cool Congregations Challenge, we'll share information about how to enter and what prizes are available, and some ideas for ways to get things done in congregations. Bill Carter, a member of Parker Lane United Methodist Church in Austin, will talk about his experience of coordinating a rainwater collection system and doing erosion control work in congregations.

At 12:30 p.m., Ian Davis, Senior Regional Organizing Manager for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, will join our call to brief us on the Keystone XL pipeline currently under consideration by the U.S. State Department.

Canada’s Tar Sands and the Keystone XL Pipeline: What Faithful Texans Need to Know

The U.S. State Department is currently considering whether to approve a request from TransCanada to construct the Keystone XL pipeline, that would carry bitumen 1,661 miles from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada down to Houston, Texas. In September, the State Department plans to hold public hearings in the states through which the pipeline would run. Two hearings will be in Texas: one in Port Arthur on Monday, September 26th; and one in Austin on Wednesday, September 28th.

The mining of this kind of oil in Canada’s pristine boreal forests is incredibly destructive for habitat, wildlife and human life—and it significantly increases greenhouse gas emissions at a critical time in our effort to combat global warming. In addition, the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would run through environmentally-sensitive areas in the U.S., including the Ogallala Aquifer. The Ogallala provides 30% of the groundwater for American agriculture—as well as about 80% of the drinking water for people who live within the aquifer’s boundary; a spill here would be disastrous.

We’ve created this page to be a resource for you and your faith community to use as we engage on this important issue. As more information becomes available, we will update this page. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for ways to take action.

Water Tips for Your Home and Congregation

wasting water

It is always good to save water, but especially now when we're in the middle of a severe drought. To help you and your congregation focus on and conserve this precious, life-giving resource, we've compiled some ideas, organized into four categories: Stewardship, Worship, Instruction & Mission (SWIM). If you have other resources or ideas to share, please let us know!

Stewardship

  • Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets (they can waste 20 to 200 gallons of water each day!).
  • Install low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads.
  • Install motion-activated water faucets on sinks.
  • Use native and drought-tolerant grasses and plants. These require less watering and maintenance. (Lawns use up to 20 times more water than native and drought-resistant species.)

Texas Interfaith Power & Light on the Radio!

radio interview-microphone

On Thursday, June 30, 2011, Texas Impact Executive Director Bee Moorhead and Texas Interfaith Power & Light (TXIPL) Coordinator Amanda Robinson spoke as guests on the "Shades of Green Energy" radio show on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin. The show is archived for listening here.

Host John Hoffner asked Bee about the interfaith nature of Texas Impact's work, its approach, and the people and communities involved. Bee also spoke about the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature and how some new programs will help strengthen community-government partnerships.

In Amanda's interview, the conversation focused on interfaith religious environmentalism and the educational and outreach work of both TXIPL and the national organization, Interfaith Power & Light.

Take the Cool Congregations Challenge!

ccc-wp

What's more exciting than a contest? Summer is a great time for congregations to prepare an entry for the 2011 Cool Congregations Challenge, a contest with prizes to recognize congregations who care about Creation and the climate.

Top cash prizes of $1,000 will go to winning contestants in four categories: energy efficiency, renewable energy, grounds and water conservation, and inspiring congregants to lower energy use at home. 

July Interfaith Conference Call: The Texas Drought

Drought

This month, we take on the Texas drought. Jennifer Walker, Water Resources Specialist for the Sierra Club, will join our call to provide an overview of the situation; explore how the drought is affecting different areas, people and ecosystems; and answer your questions. We will also explore ways that congregations can conserve water and help others in our communities.

As always, we will have some time for callers to ask questions, share ideas and connect.

 

July Interfaith Environmental Conference Call

     Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

     Dial-in number: (712) 432-3066 

Visiting a Hindu Temple: Reflections on Unity, Diversity and Some Really Good Food

Submitted by Yaira on Wed, 2011-06-15 16:09

DFW Unity Temple

I’ve watched documentaries on PBS about India and read stories about Krishna dancing with the gopis, and various gods and goddesses—Kali, Hanuman, Ganesh. I’ve read books about the history of Hinduism and studied it in my World Religions class at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. But Sunday, June 12th was my first visit to a Hindu temple.

June Interfaith Conference Call: New Tools from the Legislature

Please join us on Wednesday, June 29th at noon for our next monthly interfaith conference call. In this month's call, we will focus on legislation passed in the 82nd Texas Legislative Session. The Texas Legislature this session passed a number of bills that provide hands-on things your congregation can do to help the environment and help other people—and in some cases, do both at the same time. We are excited about these new opportunities, and want to spread the word!

     June Interfaith Call for Caring for Creation

     Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

     Dial-in number: (712) 432-3066  

     Conference Code: 424548

New Tools from the Legislative Session: Things Your Congregation Can Do

The Texas Legislature this session passed a number of bills that provide hands-on things your congregation can do to help the environment and help other people—and in some cases, do both at the same time. We are excited about some of these new opportunities—so much so, we’re making plans to visit different areas of the state to provide legislative wrap-up sessions.

There are a couple of different ways to find out more about what environmental, energy and food-related bills passed this session. Right now, we've done presentations in Austin and Houston, and Fort Worth is next. Also, our June conference call focused on this topic. Here are the details:

Healthy Aging: From the National Council of Churches

grandpa and child

Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases are on the rise, and increasingly these conditions are linked to the way we live--including exposure to toxins in the environment and in products we use every day. Join us for a call on May 23rd at 1:00 p.m. to learn how to incorporate healthy diets and lifestyle choices such as exercise and toxic-free living into your spiritual practices to protect your body, future generations, and God’s Creation. Some studies show that making lifestyle changes at any age can slow or reverse some chronic diseases.

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