Impact Online: Texas Impact's Enewsletter October 2006
Welcome to Impact Online, Texas Impact's e-newsletter! Read longer versions of the articles in this newsletter on our website, texasimpact.org, where you'll find more links to groups and projects mentioned in the articles.
We encourage you to forward this newsletter widely and use the information it contains in your own education and advocacy work.
Director's Corner: Call Someone Who Cares
Most Texans who have seen “An Inconvenient Truth” or other global warming movies this month have left the screening worried about the impact of Texas’ proposed new coal-fired power plants on the climate. According to estimates based on EPA data, the increased global warming emissions from the new coal plants in Texas would completely negate the emissions reduction plans California has recently adopted.
Texans wonder how they can make their voices heard in the debate about the power plants. Many people feel despair in the face of such a large-scale project, moving so rapidly with such apparent disregard for citizens' wishes. State leaders' responses to the growing chorus of concerns sound like the old put-down "Here's a quarter--call someone who cares."
So who does care about the fallout from massive expansion of coal power in Texas? Local elected officials care a lot. They will bear the burden of meeting federal air quality laws—as well as absorbing new health costs from increased pollution. Legislators care about those things, too, and they care what local leaders think in their districts.
The coal plants are on a “fast track” because of an order Governor Perry issued. The good news is that our public policy process involves a lot of people at all levels of government, not just unilateral decisions by one executive.
Please visit or call your local elected leaders, representative and senator and ask them to help stop the fast-track approval process for new air pollution. Tell them you support meeting Texas’ energy needs with clean, safe, renewable power that builds our economy and protects the environment.
The Movies Were Great!
Congratulations and thanks to the more than 150 congregations that showed “An Inconvenient Truth” and other global warming movies as part of Interfaith Power and Light’s Spotlight on Global Warming.
There are still screenings coming up in congregations around the state through the end of October. Check www.txipl.org for a continuously updated list of screenings with dates and locations.
Can’t make it to a public screening? An Inconvenient Truth will be released on DVD on November 21. Find out more on the movie’s website, www.climatecrisis.org Don’t forget that copies of “The Great Warming,” “Too Hot Not to Handle,” and “Kilowatt Ours” are all still available. Costs and shipping arrangements vary—call or email TXIPL for details.
What Can I Do?
The reports from congregations showing global warming movies have been universally positive. The biggest question we’ve heard has been “What can I do to help stop global warming?”
There are three strategies for reducing global warming and air pollution, and they apply equally to congregations, families, and individuals: reduce energy consumption, choose “green” energy, and offset any emissions you can’t eliminate. There are many, many tactics large and small for each of these strategies…some of them are bound to work for you!
Reduce Energy Consumption
The cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use! You can reduce some of your energy use through strategies like biking instead of driving, turning out the lights when you leave the room, and setting your thermostat a little higher in the summer. You can also reduce your energy use by increasing efficiency: switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, making sure your windows and doors have tight seals, and buying “EnergyStar” appliances are all examples.
Make Your Energy “Green”
Wind and solar power are examples of clean, safe, renewable energy sources. Many people live in areas where they can sign up for “green power” with their utility company. CPS in San Antonio offers a green power program. You can also install a solar system on your home or church.
Emissions Offsets
No matter how hard you try, you and your church will still be responsible for some emissions. “Offsets” are actions that either help clean up your emissions, or eliminate an equivalent amount of emissions somewhere else in the world. Planting a tree is one of the best ways to help clean up your global warming emissions—the tree will “breathe” the carbon and take it out of the atmosphere.
Buying Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) is an easy, affordable and potent way to offset your emissions here by preventing emissions somewhere else. Purchasing RECs puts new, renewable electricity into the nation’s power grid to replace “brown” electricity from fossil fuels. RECs are especially important for folks who don’t have access to a “green power” program through their utility company.
Stop Global Warming: Join Texas Interfaith Power and Light!
Joining Texas Interfaith Power and Light is a great first step for you and your congregation to help stop global warming. Your membership contribution is used to purchase RECs, as well as supporting our work in training people of faith to be effective creation stewards at home and at church.
Get Children’s Health Back on Track!
Urge your representative and senator to help get Texas children’s health insurance back on track! Texas Impact’s new postcard is a great way to send your message, and our postcard campaign is an ideal project for your small group, circle or Sunday school class to “do justice.” Email brooke@texasimpact.org or call 512.472.3903 to order packets and cards, or download the cards and other materials at www.texasimpact.org
Texas has the highest uninsured child rate in the country. We could cut Texas’ uninsured child rate in half by enrolling every eligible child in CHIP and Medicaid.
Unfortunately, instead of making a strong commitment to maximize CHIP and Medicaid, Texas has been weakening the programs and leaving local communities with higher uninsured health care costs.
Texas lawmakers over the past three years have made a series of policy decisions that have resulted in steep enrollment declines in both CHIP and Children’s Medicaid.
Texas can’t afford to leave any children behind. Growing up healthy is just as important as growing up educated in ensuring children a productive, self-sufficient future.
Advocacy Camp is Back!
Our popular citizen leadership training program is back for the Fall, with new sessions in Austin and our first session “on the road” in San Antonio.
On October 27, join us at the Capitol for a panel discussion on the state budget featuring Deputy Comptroller of Public Accounts Billy Hamilton, state budget expert Stuart Greenfield, Eva Deluna Castro of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, and others.
Can’t make it to Austin? Join us in San Antonio on November 17 for a special half-day Advocacy Camp featuring State Representative Mike Villareal. Stay tuned for details.
