Legislative Action Opportunities Make Your Voice Heard! Congressional representatives are making decisions everyday that impact the future of God’s Creation, and it is important that the voices of people of faith are heard on these issues.  Check below for our most up to date opportunities for action, and click here to view our activists toolbox for strategies and suggestions when contacting your representatives. Climate Change Biodiversity Public Lands Environmental Health Environmental Justice Food and Farming Climate Change As the Presidential election approaches, join Christians across the US in telling Senators McCain and Obama what our priorities are in the struggle to limit the future impacts of climate change on God's Creation. Click here to sign an open letter to the candidates. Endorse the NCC's Faith Principles on Global Warming! The National Council of Churches, in conjunction with our interfaith community, developed global warming principles that outlines principles to protect God's planet and people in any national climate change legislation. Click here to read these principles and to endorse them. Illinois Interfaith Power and Light is calling on people of faith to sign onto a letter for the Midwestern Governers Association, encouraging them to respond to climate change. Click here to view the letter, and sign on. Public Lands Senate bill 3213 provides a unique opportunity to take action to protect more lands for the good of God’s Creation.  From giving congressional authorization to the National Landscape Conservation System, to protecting some of the finest scenic views, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreational opportunities in the Wyoming Range, to establishing new wilderness areas in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, this legislation provides American’s across the country with new opportunities to experience the beauty of God’s Creation, and new places to which they can journey to experience the presence of the Holy. Click here to encourage your Senators to support this vital legislation! Click here for more information on the NCC’s work on public lands issues. Environmental Health Endorse the NCC's Christian Principles for a Healthy Body and Spirit The NCC, in consultation with member communions, partners in state councils of churches, and ecumenical organizations drafted these principles to address the growing concern that pollution and toxic chemicals are believed to harm Creation, children, and other vulnerable populations. We invite you to read, endorse, and share these principles. Read them here! Border Fence On April 1, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it was imposing a blanket waiver of environmental and land management laws along the U.S.-Mexico border, giving DHS agents permission to ignore 35 laws in order to complete construction of 470 miles of border fence by the end of 2008. Among the 35 laws waived was the Endangered Species Act. What allows DHS to waive these laws is a little known provision in the Real ID Act, which was meant to expedite the construction of one section of fence in the San Diego region. This provision is now being used by DHS to build the fence in other locations, without proper environmental impact studies and without input from local communities. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has proposed H.R. 2593, the Borderlands Conservation and Security Act of 2007 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to send a letter to your Representative encouraging co-sponsorship of HR 2593. Click here for more information on the NCC’s work on the Border Fence. Biodiversity The Bush Administration has introduced proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act that could weaken it for years. The proposed rule changes seek to make it easier for proposed projects to move forward without the current level of consultation that is required. The federal agencies moving projects forward would be allowed to determine the level of impact their project would have, and if they so determine not consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service to review the impact of their project on endangered species. These are the nation’s primary wildlife agencies who have the experience and expertise that is necessary to judge these projects, and their consultation must be required. Click here to submit your comments on this issue, and make your voice heard. See below for some messaging guidlines! The Massachussets Council of Churches is encouraging people of faith to vote Yes on a local ballot initiative to phase out greyhound racing at tracks. Click here for more information. Click here for more information on the NCC's work on Biodiversity