Energy Conservation
Makes Good Sense

MAINERS ARE CALCULATING THEIR ENERGY SAVINGS -
YOU CAN TOO WITH THIS WORKSHEET BELOW:

Open Adobe Acrobat Reader and then click here to download a pdf. file containing our global warming energy savings worksheets. They will help you to calculate your personal energy savings - a great way to assess how you can help reduce CO2 emissions and help to preserve our environment.

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WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT ACCELERATED CLIMATE CHANGE?

MAINE RELIGIOUS LEADERS STATEMENT ON GLOBAL WARMING

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SERVICE

There is no single solution to the present energy challenge. We do not have to sacrifice economic security to assure environmental health. But prudence - the application of moral principle in service to the common good - should guide us to meet immediate needs in such a way as to enhance, not diminish future sustainability.

And where there are genuine risks to health and well-being, the principle of precaution should guide our actions. More investment in renewable energy and fuel efficiency is now a moral imperative especially because these are technologically feasible and economically viable.

Maine Council of Churches' Climate Change Initiative

Rooted in these values, the Maine Council of Churches has organized the Maine Interfaith Climate Change Initiative to raise awareness of the far-reaching destructive effects of our current reliance on fossil fuels, to involve congregations in energy conservation, and to make our concerns known to elected officials.

This successful effort is reaching denominational leaders and faith communities throughout the state. As a result of our work with Maine congregations, within the first two years of operation over 1000 people signed letters of intent to purchase green power through Maine Interfaith Power & Light. After MeIPL spun off as an independent organization, the group continued to pursue contracts to provide green power to Maine people and in January 2003 they announced the introduction of two green energy power options now available through them in Maine. The endeavor has been very successful and Maine Interfaith Power and Light continues to provide a green energy option to Maine consumers and businesses. Governor Baldacci then took it a step further, announcing that Maine will continue efforts to preserve our environment through green energy contracts.

Churches across the state have stepped up to the challenge, carrying out energy audits, organizing special educational workshops and programs of worship focused on climate change and earth stewardship, pledging to reduce their own contributions to global warming, and making known their concerns to elected officials and the general public through letters, meetings, and articles in the media. The Maine Council of Churches' Climate Change Initiative has provided support and resources for churches interested in this effort.

The Climate Change Initiative continues to provide information and inspiration to our congregations so that they may study and take action to reduce the negative impact of climate change. On our web site you'll find a chart to help you calculate energy savings in your home or church. In 2002, we worked with communities focusing on one specific goal: preventing the emission into the atmosphere of at least one million pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. We surpassed this goal. Now we are working on an anti-idling campaign in Freeport, helping the town to clean the air by promoting anti-idling zones and thereby reducing toxic emissions from automobiles, trucks and buses.

We call on all the citizens of Maine, including the members of our congregations, to consider carefully the values we here present, which should guide our individual energy choices and by which we should judge energy policy options. In securing human well-being by preserving creation and promoting justice, conservation becomes a personal and a public virtue - a comprehensive moral value - a standard for everything we do to assure energy for a wholesome way of life.

We pray that the wisdom, faith, and solidarity of Maine people will bring us together to redirect our national and state energy policies towards conservation, efficiency, justice, and maximum use of the perennial abundance of clean and renewable energy that our Creator brought into being by proclaiming, "Let there be light" (Gen 1:3).

Signed:

Anne D. Burt
Director - Environmental Justice Issues
Maine Council of Churches