Living the Change - Energy
Week 4: Committing to Sustainable Energy - Changing how we use and where we get electricity is a two-step dance. Join TxIPL in Committing to Sustainable Energy, for the sake of the climate, the human family, and the community of life.
Week 3: Reducing Electricity Use - This week we reflect on our desire and willingness to reduce electricity use.
Week 2: Taking Stock - Part of the sustainable use of electricity is taking stock of the amount of electricity we use and the ways we use it.
Week 1: Starting at the Source - As religious people, we must start at the source of our electricity, to make faithful decisions about our energy use.
Living the Change is a multifaith journey to sustainable use of transportation, energy, and food. These three areas were selected based on a recent study that shows they have “the potential to contribute to systematic change and substantially reduce annual personal emissions” of greenhouse gases. Last month TxIPL committed to changes in transportation. This month TxIPL invites you to continue the journey to sustainable living, by looking at energy use, specifically electricity.
The mean annual temperature of Texas has increased by approximately 1°F since the first half of the 20th century. Last year was second only to 2012 for highest average annual temperature in Texas. June 2018 was the third hottest June on record, and July is turning out to be hot, too. Because of the heat, Texas set records for electricity usage on July 18 and 19, 2018. As temperatures increase, so too does the population of Texas. More people running more air conditioning means we’re caught in an unsustainable cycle. Air conditioning combats the heat inside, but it increases the heat island effect in our cities and generates greenhouse gases, which cause the climate to get hotter. For our own well-being, we have to find a more sustainable way.
During the recent electricity usage records, residential customers accounted for almost half of the peak demand, even though the records were set on business days. This means each of us has a role in the problem and a role in the solution. It’s going to take an intentional effort to break the cycle, and intentionality is where people of faith shine. Our religious teachings and beliefs give purpose to our efforts and can motivate us to transform our lives. Journey with TxIPL over the next month, as we rely on our faith to help us change our energy habits. Look to this page for weekly steps on the journey.
“…individual commitments and behaviors are as important in addressing climate change as they are in addressing poverty, racism, and other grave social ills.” - Walk on Earth Gently