GSP Home
About GSP
Worship & Celebration
Religious Education
Sustainable Living
Environmental Justice
Information Center
BUF homepage
|
Topic:
Climate change
"The struggle to save the global environment is in one way
much more difficult than the struggle to vanquish Hitler,
for this time the war is with ourselves.
We are the enemy, just as we have only ourselves as allies."
~ Al Gore
|
|
|
|
A new partnership offers UUs and their congregations
a simple and effective way to address global warming
http://uuministryforearth.org/act_carbonfund.htm
Global warming is changing our global climate because of the build-up of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. UUMFE believes that global warming is an urgent moral crisis that demands unprecedented changes in how we live our lives, while recognizing the reality that most of us cannot immediately give up our cars, remodel our homes with alternative energy options for heat and electricity, or avoid some air travel. As we work hard to change our behaviors and to move our society as rapidly as possible towards sustainable solutions, what can we begin to do right now?
We Can Reduce Our Carbon Footprints
By calculating how much carbon is produced in our daily activities and offsetting that carbon with dollars that can be used to support the development of renewable energy sources, we can build positive change. We are all responsible for climate change when we use electricity from coal plants to power our homes and fossil fuel to power our car and plane travel. Everything we consume Ð clothes, food, electronics, etc. Ð is made using energy which contributes to climate change. We can all be part of the solution to reduce CO2.
What are Carbon Offsets?
Carbon offsets - also called renewable energy certificates and 'green tags' - represent the reduction of CO2 in one location to offset the CO2 produced in another, like your home or car. For instance, a clean, zero CO2 wind farm in Kansas can offset the carbon dioxide produced by a coal-fired power plant near your home. Carbon offsets help reduce the cost of clean, renewable energy, which further helps develop the technology.
An Easy, Effective & Low Cost Solution
Carbon offsets are a very affordable and effective means for you and your congregation to reduce the threat of climate change. In a UUMFE survey of attendees at GA 2003, 90% of respondents said they would pay $15/month or more to reduce their impact on climate change.
Carbonfund.org reduces CO2 for just $5.50 per ton. With the average American responsible for about 10 tons of CO2 annually from their home, car and air travel and 18 tons covering their entire impact, this amounts to just $4.58 - $8.25 per month to offset your climate footprint by supporting renewable energy and efficiency projects. In addition, we invite your congregations to offset all or some portion of their annual carbon footprint as a powerful eco-justice action and religious witness for Earth.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by UUs. Carbonfund.org supports only high quality projects certified by groups such as Green-e and Environmental Resources Trust. For more on their projects visit www.carbonfund.org.
Your Offsets Support UUMFE
When UUs choose to offset their energy consumption through this partnership, 7% of your donation will be used to support UU Ministry for Earth's Green Sanctuary program, its ongoing advocacy for sustainable UUA practices, and the development and distribution of resources for worship and education related to our seventh principle: "respect for the interdependent web of all creation of which we are a part." To join or learn more about our work, please visit www.uuministryforearth.org.
How to Participate
Go to Carbonfund.org and make a personal contribution. After calculating your carbon footprint or choosing from one of several averages, click on 'Donate Now!' When filling out the contribution form, make sure to choose 'UUMFE' as the referral you provide. To offset the congregation, send an e-mail to info@carbonfund.org for more details.
Carbonfund.org
10001 Dallas Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20901
info@carbonfund.org
< www.carbonfund.org
Tel: (240) 556-1908
|
