Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) seeks to raise
awareness among faith communities and individuals about
the threat that global climate change presents to Creation and
Earth, and to engage communities of faith in promoting
energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy
as a solution. We invite you to forward this newsletter on to
others, print it out, and post it on bulletin boards. If you’re not
on the newsletter list and would like to receive it monthly (or
to unsubscribe), send name & email address to:
FOCUS THE NATION
Focus the Nation is a national teach-in on global warming
solutions for America. It is creating a dialogue at over 1,000
colleges and universities, houses of worship, secondary schools,
businesses, and civic organizations. This nationwide dialogue
culminates January 30 – 31, 2008.
Across the country, people of faith are recognizing their
moral obligation and accepting their responsibility as stewards
of Creation. This is a justice issue because those with the
least only contribute a small amount to global warming, yet
they often suffer the most from climate changes.
On January 30th at 8 p.m. EST, there will be an interactive
webcast called “The 2% Solution”. This webcast features
Stanford climate scientist Stephen Schneider, sustainability
expert Hunter Lovins, and green jobs pioneer Van Jones. “The
2% Solution” title comes from the goal of cutting 2% of global
warming pollution per year for the next decade and beyond.
Faith communities are encouraged to show this webcast, and
may be able to partner with local libraries, schools, or other
organizations to have a screening.
Around the state, some colleges/university and high schools
will be showing “The 2% Solution” webcast. The live showing
begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30th. At Green Mountain
College in Poultney, the screening will be in “The Gorge” in
Withey Hall. They also have a full day of sessions focusing on
climate change scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31st. To find out
more, contact Prof. Paul Hancock at 802-287-8324 or email:
At UVM, Focus the Nation
activities will be going on throughout the week. Go to:
www.uvm.edu/climatechange/FocustheNation/ and click on
“Master Schedule” on the left side. At Middlebury College,
“The 2% Solution” webcast will be shown Jan. 30th at 8 p.m.
in Twilight Auditorium. For more details, contact Diane
Munroe at 802-443-5925 or email:
Focus the Nation events are free and open to the public.
To find out more about Focus the Nation events, and to
find out what is happening in your area, go to the website:
www.focusthenation.org, click on the map in the upper
right. A page with another map will open - click on the VT
part of the map and a page will open with a list of events. If
you click on a particular event, another page will open with
details and contact info.
DISCOUNTS ON ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
At VTIPL’s website, www.vtipl.org, click on ShopIPL link.
Enter “shopipl” in the discount field for 10% off at checkout.
STORY OF STUFF
Annie Leonard’s “Story of Stuff” highlights ecological limits.
This new online video explores the full life cycle of what we
buy and the political-economic history of conspicuous consump-
tion. It is smart, fast and fact-filled, informative and positive,
and a great tool for raising awareness about ecological limits.
The 20 minute film was produced by Free Range Studios and
funded by the Tides Foundation and the Funders Workgroup
for Sustainable Production and Consumption. You can watch
it online at www.storyofstuff.com.
THETFORD FILM DOUBLE FEATURE
Two films will be shown this Sunday, Jan. 20th, at the First
Congregational Church on Thetford Hill. The first film, “The
End of Suburbia”, will be shown at 5 p.m. This film explores
what the coming peak in world oil production means for the
American Dream. A soup & bread supper will follow at 6:30.
The second film, “Escape from Suburbia”, shown at 7 p.m.,
goes into the response of individuals and communities as they
take on this challenge and change their lives. The Thetford
Energy Committee organized this event. It is free and open
to all. Donations are gratefully accepted. To find out more,
contact Scot Zens:
BETTER BUILDINGS BY DESIGN 2008 CONFERENCE
Efficiency Vermont sponsors this conference on Feb. 13 & 14
at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. This
biennial event attracts more than 1000 building and design
professionals interested in learning the latest in energy efficient
technology and building principles. Both commercial and
residential new construction topics will be covered with
sessions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced practitioners
and over 35 technical workshops. For complete details go to:
www.efficiencyvermont.com/pages/Common/News/BetterBuildingsByDesign/
PROJECT LAUNDRY LIST
is an non-profit organization which aims to demonstrate that
personal choices can make a difference for the Earth and its
people. From Project Laundry List we learned that Americans
could save approximately $6.5 billion in electric charges and
65.9 billion kWh of electricity if they stopped using electric
clothes dryers and hung laundry to dry. This would avoid the
construction of dozens of new power plants. Here are some
other ways to help the planet when you’re doing laundry: wash
with cold water (the clothes will come out just as clean and you
won’t waste energy heating water), use a “green” laundry
detergent, and use an energy efficient washer. For more energy-
saving ideas, visit their website: www.laundrylist.org
VT INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT MEMBERSHIP
We urge individuals and faith communities to support VTIPL
by becoming members. The membership forms are available
on VTIPL’s website: www.vtipl.org. Just fill out the form and
mail it to the address below with a contribution. Although no
contribution is required for faith community membership, it
is encouraged.
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light
P.O. Box 728 Richmond, VT 05477
Tel. 802-434-7307
