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Download a pdf copy of recent newsletters:
Read a copy of Joan Brown's e-notes:
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Read Joan's blogs from Copenhagen Making and Installing a $15 energy efficient window in churches and homes
Wondering what you can do to help in the fight against global warming? Go on a Low Carbon Diet!
Grounded in over two decades of environmental behavior change research, this illustrated workbook offers much more than a list of eco-friendly actions. It walks you through every step of the process, from calculating your current C02 “footprint” to tracking your progress. By making simple changes to actions you take every day, you’ll learn how to reduce your annual household CO2 output by at least 15%. And, for those who are more ambitious, you’ll discover how you can become “carbon neutral” and help your workplace, local schools, and community do the same. Go on a Low Carbon Diet today, and join the growing number of Americans who have decided to take global warming into their own hands. Low
Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds, by David Gershon. Latest on the Senate Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act bill Click to read the IPL priorities on the Senate bill and an overview from IPL. 
COEJL (Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life) makes the connection between Judaism and the environment, deepens the community's committment to the stewardship of creation, and mobilizes the resources of Jewish life and learning to protect the earth and all its inhabitants. Founded in 1993, COEJL serves as the Jewish member of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, helping to lead national interreligious coalitions. They offer a full line of CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs at reduced prices: click here to download the order form. For more information contact: Sherry Lewis. CFLs and mercury— get the facts about this green choice:
New Report: Strong Energy Efficiency Policies in Energy/Climate
Legislation Santa Fe—A new national report finds that New Mexico households would save an average of $337 per year and 4,300 sustainable jobs would be created in the state over the next ten years if Congress acts now to include strong energy efficiency improvements in energy and climate legislation. The report, entitled /Energy Efficiency in the American Clean Energy Security Act of 2009: Impacts of Current Provisions and Opportunities to Enhance the Legislation, /was/ /released by Environment New Mexico and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The efficiency provisions would prevent 3 million metric tons of global warming emissions. This is the equivalent of removing the pollution from nearly 550,000 cars from the road for a year. “Americans know that energy efficiency is the cleanest, quickest, cheapest way of reducing our energy use and pollution,” concluded Jake Horowitz of Environment New Mexico. “These common sense solutions will put cash back in our pockets and help protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the future of the planet.” The report also found that energy efficiency policies from the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), which passed the House of Representatives in June, would create 3,000 new jobs, save the average household $241 a year, and reduce annual carbon emissions by 2.1 million metric tons in New Mexico by 2020. “States have been leading the way in energy efficiency. Here in New Mexico, we're already working with a goal of a 1% increase per year for efficiency savings for our utility programs,” said Jason Marks, Commissioner of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. “We've seen what California has been able to accomplish with aggressive appliance and building standards, and well funded utility programs. But like so many aspects of energy policy, the opportunities are so much greater with comprehensive federal legislation. New Mexico consumers will reap net financial benefits if Congress passes an enhanced energy efficiency bill,” said Marks. “While the House bill is a critical first step in harnessing the power of energy efficiency, this report shows we can save even more money, create more jobs and reduce more pollution,” said Jake Horowitz of Environment New Mexico. “Senators Udall and Bingaman should lead the fight for common sense energy efficiency policies and jumpstart the transition to a clean energy economy.” The group called for policy improvements which would generate more than 569,000 clean energy jobs and save the average household $283 per year nationwide by 2020. These policy improvements would result in 48 percent more jobs and 32 percent more consumer savings than the efficiency measures in the House passed bill. In addition these improvements would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 480 million metric tons in 2020, equivalent to taking over 87 million cars off the road for a year. “PNM is already implementing a number of energy efficiency programs that are helping its customers save energy. Over the next decade, the programs are expected to reduce the utility bills paid by consumers and businesses by about $400 million. Strengthening the energy efficiency provisions in the ACES Act, as suggested by ACEEE, will lead to even greater energy savings and lower energy bills for the customers of PNM and other utilities in New Mexico," said Howard Geller, Executive Director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). “These innovative energy efficiency improvements are ready to go in real time, but need strong legislation that will ensure they’re widely put to use,” stated Horowitz. “We’re talking about using today’s technology to create a safer, stronger, more prosperous tomorrow.” Senators can maximize economic benefits to consumers by:
Environment New Mexico (www.environmentnewmexico.org) is a state-based, citizen-funded environmental organization working for clean air, clean water, and open space. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient America (ACEEE) is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. For more information, see http://www.aceee.org 350 Healing Walk held October 24, 2009 Click here to view the video of the walk. A note from 350.org Dear Friends, Many thanks in advance, 350.org is an international grassroots campaign that aims to mobilize a global climate movement united by a common call to action. By spreading an understanding of the science and a shared vision for a fair policy, we will ensure that the world creates bold and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. 350.org is an independent and not-for-profit project. Gallup Solar Gallup Solar was formed in March 2007 by a group of women traveling to see Jane Goodall. Their ideas had been coalescing for sometime around stewardship of the planet. As the crisis of global warming became clear they suddenly and without planning felt a desire for change. A group was formed and began to meet weekly. Within a month over 75 people had joined. Gallup Solar envisions a flourishing and healthy environment that enables all communities to live in harmony with Creation and is collaborating with communities, elected representatives, utilities and industry to bring solar power to all peoples in our area. Visit the website: gallupsolar.org and download the flyer for more information. Green, meet God The secular environmental movement sees an opportunity in the Joan Brown,osf of NMIPL participated in a press conference October 15 highlighting Enviroment New Mexico's October 2008 report, Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States. The report states that globally, the year 2007 tied for the second warmest year on record, behind the record warmth of 2005. This warmth is part of a long-term trend toward rising temperatures and extreme weather events resulting from global warming. Global average surface temperatures have increased by more than 1.4°F since the mid-19th century. In 2007, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that the evidence of global warming is “unequivocal” and that human activities are responsible for most of this rise in temperature. Representing NMIPL, Joan stated that as readings are taken on the external temperatures a moral reading of the internal temperature of the lifestyles of citizens and people of faith must be taken. "It will take effort, commitment and community to begin measuring the temperature within that measures compassion, care and action for change in our lifestyles and public policies that take into account the justice issues of global warming. Now the signals from the physical world, from God's creation, tell us that we have definitively gone too far and it is time to turn around in some new direction. We will need each other's encouragement and help in doing that," she said. The Envirnoment New Mexico report compares temperature data for the years 2000–2007 with the historical average, or “normal,” temperature for the preceding 30 years, 1971–2000. Data was collected at 255 weather stations—those with the highest quality data—in all 50 states and Washington, DC. Overall, temperatures were above the 30-year average across the country, indicating pervasive warming. New
Mexico average temperature degrees above normal from 2000-2007:
Recommendations of the report call for the US to establish mandatory, science-based caps on global warming pollution. At minimum the U.S. needs to reduce total emissions by 20 percent below current levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. To assist in this goal strong public policies designed to accelerate the transition to 100 percent clean renewable energy are needed. Click here to read NMIPL's comments on the Western Governors Climate Initiative. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL HOSTS EVENT TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY On Sunday, August 3, Albuquerque’s First Congregational Church
of Christ invited New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light and the New
Mexico Sierra Club to participate in an afternoon of art and action
on global warming. At the monthly potluck lunch following the 10:30
service, members received free energy-efficient For NMIPL, distribution of CFLs is an initial step in educating and calling people of faith to energy effi ciency, conservation and action. From September 2007 to August 2008 the New Mexico Sierra Club distributed a total of 40,000 CFLs in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas, and NMIPL collaborated with the Sierra Club to distribute roughly one-third of those via bulb exchanges organized by member congregations. “The light bulb distribution is a practical way to educate people of faith about the moral and ethical implications of global warming. Those affected most are the poor, making this an important justice issue,” said Joan Brown, osf. According to Shrayas Jatkar, Conservation Organizer with the Sierra Club, the collaboration with NMIPL will continue for another year. NMIPL has twenty faith communities ready for Sunday bulb distributions in the fall, and others may add their names to the list. NMIPL and the light bulb exchange in Holy Rosary parish were featured in the New Mexico section of the Sierra Club’s recent report highlighting one exceptional faith-based environmental initiative from each of the fi fty states. Entitled “Faith in Action: Communities of Faith Bring Hope for the Planet,” the full report is available at www.sierraclub.org/partnerships/faith. The “Hands Across New Mexico” campaign is another creative way of getting people involved. In this effort, hands will be delivered to public offi cials calling for stronger public policies to reduce carbon emissions, support renewable energy initiatives and create green jobs. NMIPL and 1Sky New Mexico will continue to collect hands through December. Click here to see video. Previous News Hearings on Desert Rock Power Plant Global Climate Report Released: click here for more information
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