Climate Change Stories Chestnut Hill United Methodist, in Philadelphia, celebrates the Covenant of Noah every January. This is the only Biblical covenant that makes a three-way agreement between God, humans, and “every living creature.” (The other Biblical covenants are just between God and humans.) In November 2006, the pastor preached a sermon about global warming since it poses such threat to so many species. In each bulletin, there was asection that asked each person in attendance to commit to a specific action. In July 2006, the Unitarian Universalist Association adopted a formal statement of conscience on the threat of global warming. The statement culminates a two-year study process and commits UUAs to promoting individual and collective actions to address global warming. First Unitarian Society of Madison calculated an accurate assessment of emissions and have achieved carbon neutrality through offsets for the last two years. In March 2006, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell turned on 648 solar panels that now power 8% if the campus, making it the largest solar power program in New Jersey. In a letter to President Bush released on Earth Day 2004, more than 100 national and state leaders of the National Council of Churches expressed moral concern over the President's stewarship of the environment--particularly on the Administration's "clean air" policies and its implications on public health. Click here to view the ad. In Fall of 2006, UCC minister King Hempel, and his wife LInda, initiated a 2+ year tour around the country called "The Great Race to Stop Global Warming." The two seek to engage communities and congregations about alternative fuels and energy consumption and we will be working with Yum Brands (Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, and others) toward taking the used oil from fast food chains and converting it into biodiesel fuel. Despite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelcial Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors." Click here to learn more about evangelicals and climate change. Keystone Community Church of Grand Rapids, MI turned to Integrated Architecture of Royal Oak, MI to help them design a new 33,000 square foot facility that would be highly energy efficienct and meet "green" building criteria. Overall the energy savings at Keystone Community Church are estimated to be more than $12,000 annually, with reductions of 162,771 kWh of electricity and nearly 600 therms of gas. These reductions prevent CO2 emissions of more than 269,200 pounds per year. Click Here to read more. Michigan Interfaith Power and Light (MiIPL) is one of 18 state affiliates of the national Interfaith Power and Light organization. To date, MiIPL calculated that their actions have prevented emissions of 5,548 tons of CO2 (global warming), 27 tons of SO2 (acid rain), 13 tons of Nox (smog), 1079 pounds of particulates (asthma/heart attacks), 0.241 pounds mercury (cancer/birth defects). Click Here to read more. Click Here to read about the Small Business and Congregations who have been selected as ENERGY STAR award winners from 1999 to 2006. The Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA installed nearly 1,000 high efficiency lighting, saving $1,400 per month after loan payments. The project was financed and managed by U.S. Energy Capital, which pprovides financing and management for energy efficiency projects across the country. Their annual savings is $32,000 and their C02 reduction is 1 million lbs. Bethesda Lutheran in Ames, IA replaced incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent lighting, installed computer controls to heat and cool occupied rooms, purchased new energy efficient freezers, and installed new storm windows over the stained glass windows. Their annual savings is $5,000 and their C02 reduction is 100,286 lbs. Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in Solana Beach, CA upgraded its incandescent lamps with fluorescent lighting, added occupancy sensors, installed LED exit signs and new air conditioning and heating systems. Their annual savings is $6,620 and their C02 reduction is 120,000 lbs. Trinity Lutheran (ELCA) in Fort Collins celebrated Earth Day weekend (April 23) by debuting a "Trinity Carpooling Map" for use by the congregation. The church also received a plaque from the city on April 19th acknowledging participation in a voluntary city program know as "Climate Wise" which is intended to reduce greenhouse gases. They are the first and only church of the 40 members to join so far.