Hurricane Response Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forever changed the Gulf Coast region and how the nation views itself. As the storm surge breached the levee system that protected New Orleans and flooded 80 percent of that city, illusions about poverty, race, and environmental issues were shattered. In its place, connections about how we treat God's creation and God's people came into sharp focus. The NCC Eco-Justice program has responded with passion for ensuring that relief and rebuilding proceeds in a way that is just for all of God's creation. Current State of the Clean-Up The EPA has done extensive testing of flood waters, air, and sediment deposited throughout Greater New Orleans, Though the EPA concluded that levels of toxic materials in sediment posed no "unacceptable" health threats to returning residents, independent analysis of the same data found there to be levels of lead, arsenic, and dangerous petroleum compounds that exceed the federal and Louisiana state levels at which an investigation and possible clean-up is required. This contradiction should sound an alarm to demand further investigation and for high standards of accountability for the EPA. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, introduced a bill, the Katrina Recovery, Reclamation, Restoration, Reconstruction and Reunion Act of 2005 (H.R. 4197) that requires the EPA to develop a Comprehensive Environmental Sampling and Toxicity Assissment Plan. To learn more about this legislation, click here. More information Independent analysis of EPA data by the Natural Resources Defense Council EPA Hurricane Response Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Congressional Black Caucus NCC Green Rebuilding Project NCC Eco-Justice has received funding to work with up to 100 churches in the Gulf Region to facilitate "green" rebuilding of church facilities. More information coming soon! Vulnerable Land and People: Connections The destruction and environmental degradation in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf of Mexico region brought to light the need for a renewed covenant of community. We were reminded of our dependence on God's creation and recognized that too often our lifestyle choices despoil the Earth and expose human communities to natural harm and environmental threats. Click here for more information on the hurricane-related issues. What You Can Do Send a letter to your elected officials asking them to hold the EPA accountable for the legal and moral obligations to clean-up the Gulf Coast! Click here to read and send a statement. Plan a worship service dedicated to a call for justice on the Gulf Coast and for justice in your own communities. Download the NCC Eco-Justice resource, Through the Eye of a Hurricane: Rebuilidng Just Communities. Visit the Earth Day Sunday page for tools and ideas to help you plan a service and get your congregation involved. Consumer Action Our consumer lifestyles continue to produce silent destruction and undermine the health of marginalized communities. As Christians, we are called we are called to act on our beliefs and to work for justice and peace for all of God's creation. Use consumer products that don't produce harmful toxins in the manufacturing process Reduce the need for oil refineries and oil drilling by driving less, carpooling, using public transportation and using a vehicle that gets high fuel economy Denominational Relief Efforts Communities of faith have been at the forefront of relief and rebuilding efforts. Visit these denominational relief efforts to see how you can get involved. If your denomination has a relief effort not listed here, let us know at info@nccecojustice.org Episcopal Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presbyterian Church, USA United Methodist Church Statements and Resources Eco-Justice Principles for Rebuilding the Gulf Region Statement of the NCC Eco-Justice Working Group