FEBRUARY 2010 E-NOTES
info@nm-ipl.org | www.nm-ipl.org | Joan Brown, osf, 505-266-6966

If you prefer to read the February E-Notes online please click here.
To read the Winter 2010 NMIPL newsletter please click here. For up-to-date calendar info click here.

Energy Efficiency helps
Faith communities interested in biodegradable cups, cutlery, plates, etc, should check out this new New Mexico business. They also have LED lighting. Here is a link to the local supplier. http://www.swgreenbuildingcenter.com/html/biodegrad.html (store located off north I-25 near Arizona Tiles in ABQ)
Also….check out SHOP IPL on the nm-ipl.org website

Southwest Green Building Center

COP 15 and Beyond Presentations
A number of presentations are being held by NMIPL Director, Joan Brown, osf throughout New Mexico that will offer suggestions for engagement as public citizens and people of faith in a future for all generations. Here are a few. Check out the calendar on NMIPL website for more details.
Wednesday, Feb 17, 10 am, COP 15 and Beyond, Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Santa Fe
Friday, February 19, 7:00, COP15 and Beyond, Gallup Solar Forum, hall in CIC, 506 W. Highway 66, Gallup
For more information contact Sr. Rose Marie Cecchinni, mm, rcecchinimm@hotmail.com
March 24-25, Silver City, United Campus Ministries, NMSU campus, United Methodist Men’s Breakfast
Contact NMIPL if you are interested in a presentation.

Seeking Volunteers to become Energy Geeks for Creation
Engineer Jim Palmer will conduct an energy training for volunteers wanting to do energy assessments for houses of worship and congregants homes in Albuquerque Saturday, February 20, 10 am. If you are interested contact Joan at joankansas@swcp.com. This is part of NMIPL’s project to Cool Congregations in 2010 and should be fun…join the Cool Movement, let us know if you have done an energy assessment, efficiency measures, or solar or if you would like our assistance.

Check out the Lenten Fast Calendar as a resource to share during Lent. 

Lenten Energy Fast

First Unitarian Earth Courses, Albuquerque, (check out www.nwei.org for information)

Earth Courses

Energy Nite at First Presbyterian, Santa Fe, Thursday, February 23, 7 pm.
Randy Sadewic, Gnl. Mgr., Positive Energy will talk about practical aspects, costs and benefits of energy audits, efficiency and solar electricity for Santa Feans. All are welcome. For questions contact robbm@toast.net.

Environmental Improvement Board Public Hearing, Toney Anaya Bldg., 2550 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, Monday, March 1, 10 am. Public hearing addressing CO2 pollution limits in New Mexico.  New Energy Economy and co-petitioners including  NMIPL and the NM Conference of Churches will testify in favor of addressing pollution causing CO2 emissions. All the public is welcome and needed. Contact joankansas@swcp.com to register to comment.

The Gender Gap in Climate Change, Albuquerque, Thursday, March 11, 7 pm. Celebrate International Women’s Week with a panel of women representing law, sociology, economy, faith, and climate justice as they explore the Gender Gap in the Climate Change issue. Place to be announced.

Make a Joyful Noise for Holy Mother Earth Day, Wednesday, April 21, 7 pm, Sacred Earth Music Celebration, St. Luke Lutheran, 9100 Menaul NE, Albuquerque.
Sacred Earth Concert will include musicians and vocalists of all ages. Event is a celebration and fundraiser for NMIPL for those who can afford a free will donation.

Mother Earth Day Celebrations throughout New Mexico
Numerous events, Earth Sabbath prayers and celebrations are being planned. Here are a few.
Saturday, April 24, SynergyFest, Las Vegas, Melody Park on the Campus of NM Highlands University
April 17-18 Mother Earth Day Service Days of Action
Let us know if you would like ideas for service or would like to collaborate with another faith community on a project.
Sunday, April 25, Earth Sabbath. What events do you have planned?

Water and a Baptismal Life, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, June 21-27, 2010
Larry Rasmussen, Marty Haugen, Janet Walton, Ben Stewart, Denise Fort, Blanca Surgeon and David Douglas will lead this 3rd in a series of Earth-Honoring Faith. For more information or to register early for a reduced fee go to www.ghostranch.org.

President Obama calls for movement on Climate Change legislation

In his State of the Union address President Obama urged the Senate to move on passing legislation for clean energy and climate change mitigation. The Administration would like to see economy-wide targets for cutting emissions and generating renewable energy. The House passed such a bill last summer ((H.R. 2454), and Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Joe Lieberman (I-CN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are crafting companion legislation.

Following upon the President's words, State Department climate envoy Todd Stern said the United States will promise the international community that it will reduce emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The Obama administration's target, which comes as part of an international climate accord brokered in Copenhagen last month, is consistent with the House bill's target.

President Obama also ordered the government to reduce energy use -- cutting everything from the electricity used in office buildings to the petroleum used in fleet vehicles -- in an effort to slash its greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2020. Click here for the New York Times article:

St. Francis Popular Today Because of Love of Creation -- Pope Benedict

St. Francis of Assisi is "very relevant for today" according to Pope Benedict XVI. In a recent weekly audience, the Holy Father said that Francis' popularity today is due to "his love of creation and love for God's people, especially the poor." Benedict urged all to see, as did Francis, "that God's wisdom and benevolence is displayed in creation; nature is a language which speaks to us of God and through which God speaks to us."  Our life in the natural world can only be sustainable, he said, if we respect creation and do not damage the environment.

View the Vatican News Service release at http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=100088

We encourage everyone to act on these words of caring for Creation by advocating for renewable energy and climate change legislation. Visit our NCRLC web section devoted to this crucial advocacy: http://www.ncrlc.com/ClimateChangeAdvocCampaign.html