We Celebrate Approval of the Inflation Reduction Act; We Lament its Deficiencies

(On Friday afternoon, the House of Representatives approved the Inflation Reduction Act–which contains historic investments to mitigate climate change–by a vote of 220-207. The vote follows a similar approval in the Senate last weekend. A White House spokesperson said President Joe Biden is expected to sign the measure next week.  Here is our take on this legislation).

Interfaith Power and Light of New Mexico and El Paso region has worked  hard to get climate legislation at the federal level. While we are  pleased that there will be movement toward reduction of carbon emissions  and toward new energy, jobs, and even help with health care for our  region through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), we are very  disheartened by the compromises for oil, gas and nuclear that so adversely affect our frontline neighbors in our region.

We are committed to continue to  work with our frontline neighbors to address concerns of pollution, health, and impairment of water, land and air in communities affected by  oil and gas extraction that seems geared for profit for a few.

In addition, we  are grateful that the United States will have something to take to the  United Nations International table as we work as a global community. The  IRA will help us toward goals to mitigate the most harmful effects of  runaway global warming for those most vulnerable and suffering around  the world from floods, droughts, unprecedented storms, sea level and growing food insecurity and famine. We are committed to continue to  work with our frontline neighbors to address concerns of pollution, health, and impairment of water, land and air in communities affected by  oil and gas extraction that seems geared for profit for a few.

As the  book of Deuteronomy states, “I have set before you today death and life,  choose life that you and future generations might live.”  As an  Interfaith community we work to address climate change in so many ways.  We choose life, though sometimes the choices require very difficult  compromises that we carry as we continue to work for greater equity and  loving actions for life.

Sister Joan Brown, osf
Director, Interfaith Power and Light, New Mexico and El Paso region

Green Team Summit 2022 will Feature Renowned Climate Scientist Katharine Hayhoe

Renowned climate scientist, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe will deliver a live address with Q&A, exploring her latest book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.

Sunday, September 11 from 4:00-5:30 PM MT

A remarkable and award-winning communicator, Dr. Hayhoe, leverages both her expertise in atmospheric science and her evangelical Christian faith to navigate difficult conversations about our changing climate.

Her 2019 TED Talk, “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it,” has nearly 4 million views

Now, Saving Us gives us the tools to have those conversations with our friends and neighbors—successfully!

Register

for the Green Team Summit today to hear from Dr. Hayhoe LIVE!

This keynote session will be the first of six sessions, where participants will explore the intersection of faith, climate change, and justice, access lots of free resources and Faith in Place programs, meet other people passionate about environmental justice, and more! In addition to the virtual component welcoming guests from around the world, regional watch parties will be hosted in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Faith in Action: Reflections on the Permian Basin

Join the First Congregational Green Justice team  for a Zoom Forum on “Faith in Action: Reflections on the Permian Basin.”
Kayley Shoup, a Carlsbad resident and community activist with Citizens Caring for the Future. Kayley will share about the many challenges facing the region and how we can be a part of an intentional and just response.  Kayley’s presentation will be followed by reflections from Stephen Picha, Ann McCartney, Clara Sims, and Ruth Striegel who traveled to the Permian region in June in affiliation with New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light.
From the individual to the communal, we are all implicated in the sacrifice zones of our fossil fuel economy, particularly those imposed upon our neighbors to the south east. Join us as we reflect upon how we can further put our our faith into action for the well-being of the Permian region, our beloved state of New Mexico, and our one Earth home.
Contact Ruth Striegel at ruth.striegel@gmail.com for the Zoom link.