Faith communities are pros at helping people and building community through direct service like food pantries, homeless shelters and free clinics. Some do environmental service projects like planting trees or participating in “adopt-a-highway” programs.
But have you ever thought of flipping a light switch as an act of charity? The electricity we use affects our health and our communities. Churches, temples, mosques, family life centers, religious schools and outreach ministry facilities use electricity just like any other building.
Lowering electricity use and switching to “clean” electricity are ways faith communities can use their resources to protect human health and preserve God's creation.
There are many ways congregations can help clear the air in Texas. And for the first time, now there’s a way that your efforts can promote a prosperous future for our state by helping Texas meet federal air quality standards.
By participating in the Breath of Life covenant program, you can measure your congregation’s pollution reductions and add them to the state total so they can help Texas reach its clean air goals.
Watch a clip from the Breath of Life video (QuickTime)
How Big is Texas’ Air Pollution Problem?
Two thirds of all Texans live in urban areas where the air is unsafe to breathe so often that the federal government is requiring that Texas reduce air pollution by 2010. While the specific clean-up targets vary by region, Texas has set an overall goal of reducing emissions by 30% percent to clear our air and ensure it is safe to breathe. Air pollution sears our lungs, fills the small parts of our lungs with fine particles, triggers asthma attacks, increases the rate of heart attacks, and results in more early deaths than drunk driving accidents. Air pollution also costs you money. Pollution in Houston is estimated to cost $3 billion a year in excess health costs. That’s about $3,000 per family, or $1,000 per person. While you may not think you pay for theses costs, and hospital taxes.
Attacking the Problem
If it’s so important for Texas to reduce its air pollution, why can’t the Legislature just pass laws to get the job done? The Texas Legislature has passed many laws recently to curb air pollution, including regulations on industry, vehicle emissions limits, funding for clean-up programs, and other important initiatives. Big air pollution reduction laws often result in new costs to business, and the Legislature has taken important steps even when faced with stiff opposition.
People Caused Pollution, And People Need To Take Action To Reduce It
While the state has acted pro-actively by passing clean air laws, it’s not enough. Clearing the air in Texas will take commitment on the part of every Texan. The steps congregations and other voluntary organizations take to reduce their emissions are important examples for the whole community, and they add up to make significant impacts. Every single Texan needs to cut pollution to ensure our air is safe to breathe. It’s your turn to take action!
Powering the average home in Texas produces more pollution per month than driving the family car!
• 2,340 lbs of CO2 which causes global warming
• 5 lbs of SO2 that causes acid rain, haze and fine particles
• 1.6 lbs of NOx, one of the gasses causing smog
How to Reduce Pollution in Texas
• Buy green power or renewable energy
• Increase the efficiency of your appliances
• Switch to natural gas or solar power for hot water heating
• Seal up leaks in the buildings and equipment
• Tune your air conditioning systems.
The Breath of Life Covenant Program—Easy as 1-2-3
- Your congregation or a committee of the congregation decides what steps your congregation will take to reduce pollution.
- Someone who is authorized to speak for the congregation signs the Breath of Life Covenant committing to the actions the congregation will take.
- TXIPL submits your covenant to state officials, who work with the federal Environmental Protection Agency to include your congregation’s efforts in Texas’ overall emissions reduction plan.
Recognition
Congregations that sign Breath of Life covenants can receive important recognition at the local, state and federal levels from private and government organizations. In particular, Breath of Life covenant congregations can be partners in the state’s Clean Texas Cleaner World program, affording them access to valuable training and resources, as well as free publicity through print, television and the internet.
Ways You and Your Church Can to Reduce Pollution
New energy efficient building technologies and appliances can save 30%-50% of the energy consumed by older models, and consumers can now buy renewable energy or green power that is pollution-free. Hybrid or low emission vehicles reduce emissions by up to 50%. The good news is that many of these pollution-reducing measures will also save money! The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will count these voluntary pollution reductions toward the state’s goal IF the reductions are pledged, proven and permanent.
By signing the Breath of Life covenant, taking measures to reduce emissions and submitting proof, you can help the state meet its emissions-reduction targets and save money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breath of Life
What is Breath of Life?
Breath of Life is a program to help Texas congregations reduce air pollution and save energy. By taking concrete action to reduce emissions, congregations can protect human health, preserve God’s creation, and help Texas meet federal air quality mandates.
Who should participate in Breath of Life?
Religious congregations are the primary targets for Breath of Life. Schools, daycares, or other facilities connected with congregations also are encouraged to participate. Small group ministries within congregations such as women’s or men’s groups, youth groups, or Sunday school classes can participate on behalf of their congregation. For instance, if a youth group does a building tune-up project, that action could count for the whole congregation.
How can my group join in Breath of Life?
To become a Breath of Life Congregation, simply complete the congregational covenant on the other side of this page and return it to the Breath of Life program. Breath of Life staff will verify with you that your congregation has accomplished your emissions reduction activities as planned.
What if my group commits to taking an action and later we decide not to follow through?
Simply let the Breath of Life program know that your plans have changed. Consider taking some other emissions reduction step instead if your original plan becomes unworkable, and remember that you can always add to your commitment later after you’ve accomplished your initial action.
Should we list actions we already have taken on our Congregational Covenant, or only ones we plan to take?
If the action was recent (within the past six months) check with Breath of Life staff to see if it should be included. One goal of Breath of Life participation is to encourage congregations to “step up” as we sometimes describe in congregational stewardship models: whatever you have done in the past to reduce emissions, challenge yourselves to take on one additional action.
What resources are available to help my group follow through on our commitment to reduce emissions?
The Breath of Life program can help you find experts in your area to help you with energy efficiency, green power, green building, or other activities. www.breathoflifetx.org has links to national, state and local resources, and Breath of Life staff are available to answer questions via email and over the phone.
How will state environmental officials find out about our congregation’s commitment?
Breath of Life staff will deliver your congregation’s covenant and pollution reduction inventory to the state environmental agency. Officials there will determine how your emissions reductions work to help achieve local and statewide emissions reduction targets.
What kinds of recognition will my group get for participating in Breath of Life?
Congregations that sign the Breath of LIfe covenant become Breath of Life Congregations and receive various kinds of publicity and rewards from the Breath of Life program. For a complete list of rewards and promotional opportunities, contact Breath of Life program staff.
Breath of Life Congregations also can receive recognition from the State of Texas, and may be eligible to receive awards and recognition from other programs such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.
Breath of Life Congregations may also be eligible for recognition from their denomination or faith tradition. Breath of Life program staff can help you find out about faith awards your congregation can receive.