Lauri Costello: New Mexico Must Act On Climate

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Lauri Costello, a member of our New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light community, recently wrote a great letter to the editor in the Las Cruces Bulletin, published on January 29.

Here is an excerpt:

In this winter season of diminished light, many of us are understandably feeling another type of darkness as a new administration takes over. If history and campaign rhetoric matter, we will likely see significant attempts to reverse climate progress. New Mexico has an unprecedented opportunity to provide bold and just leadership on climate. We must stand firm in our commitment to advocate for the environment that used to sustain us.

As a physician, I know that no lasting health for people or the planet will come without clean air, water, soil and intact ecosystems. It is time to commit to meaningful climate legislation, like the Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefits Fund and Innovation in State Agencies Act. Together, these aim to bring New Mexico into alignment with our climate goals while also supporting a healthy and just economic transition for our many, diverse communities.

Read the full letter in the Las Cruces Bulletin

 

Bruce Hunn: Christian Stewardship in Action–How Solar Power Sustains Our Church and Mission

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Bruce Hunn, a member of IPL-New Mexico El Paso’s Cool Congregations Committee (which addresses energy efficiency and solar power), wrote a great opinion piece in the Sandoval Signpost, published on Dec. 13 Bruce is a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rio Rancho.

Here is an excerpt.

As faith leaders, we carry the responsibility not only to guide our congregation spiritually, but to care for creation and to be good stewards of church resources provided by our Creator. It’s a delicate balance—making sure the lights stay on, while ensuring every dollar is spent with purpose.

“There’s something profoundly symbolic about a place of worship being powered by the sun—by God’s source of life itself. It reminds us that we are all part of something greater, that we are called to care for God’s creation…

Read the full article

 

Watch: Interview with Sister Joan on KNME’s New Mexico in Focus

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Watch Sister Joan Brown on Friday, July 12, 7pm on New Mexico in Focus (KNME-TV NM PBS). Laura Paskus, a friend of Interfaith Power & Light New Mexico & El Paso, conducted the interview.

Here is the text that accompanied KNME-TV’s posting online.

7.12.24 –In 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical letter focused on the Earth, the economy and social justice, called “On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si.” In conversation with Our Land’s Laura Paskus, Sister Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light, talks about what has changed (and what hasn’t) since that encyclical letter. The two also talk about the value of interfaith work in building community and adapting to climate change in New Mexico.

Correspondent: Laura Paskus

Guest: Sister Joan Brown, Executive Director, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light

For More Information: Watch the entire, hour-long special, “Loving Our Changing Homelands.”