PREAMBLE: We realize that our human communities are wholly dependent on healthy ecosystems for survival. While we marvel at the elegant balance of Life, we are also humbled in the face of Nature’s awesome power, evidenced by events like the tsunami in Southeast Asia that washed away tens of thousands of lives and homes, regardless of economic status, nationality or religion. We exist as part of Creation. How we choose to heat and light our homes, transport our possessions and ourselves, and power our economy has become a moral and religious issue because such choices, particularly in America, affect the network of Earth’s ecosystems. Overwhelming scientific consensus holds that greenhouse gases released from human activity is mostly responsible for the alarming increase in the rate of global climate change. This climatic change, stemming in large part from burning fossil fuels, threatens to flood significant portions of Earth over time and to impact human societies and all of creation in myriad other ways. The Creator has blessed us with renewable forms of energy that ultimately derive from the sun. Plants sustain life by harnessing this energy to efficiently convert natural chemicals into food. This serves as a model for our own use of energy. Instead we have depended mostly on burning finite deposits of fossil fuels to meet our perceived energy needs. Carbon dioxide, which is released when fossil fuels are burned, is not the only greenhouse gas. However, it is the one of greatest concern simply because of the sheer volume produced by vehicles and power plants. By-products of burning fossil fuels are trapped in the atmospheric blanket covering Earth, raising greenhouse gases to unhealthy levels for all Life. Evidence of global warming can be most graphically seen at the receding polar ice caps. If we in Michigan do nothing to stop the trend, by 2030 our average summer temperature and rainfall may resemble states 300 miles south of Michigan’s border. (1) Living in the only state entirely within the Great Lakes basin, we in Michigan have been gifted with twenty percent of the world’s usable fresh surface water. (2) We are responsible for preserving this precious gift for future generations. People rely on water for drinking, irrigation, industrial processes, and shipping. Some expected climate changes in the water-rich Great Lakes region include: • More frequent and extreme weather events • Worsening water quality due to higher water temperatures and heavy runoff transporting pollutants and sediment • Lower groundwater recharge rates • Lower soil moisture in summer • Loss of wetland and wildlife habitat, reducing of flood retention and water-purifying functions • Smaller streams drying up and lower summer water levels as a result of earlier snow melt and ground thaw 2. • Changes in fish distribution due to warmer lake and stream water temperatures • Lower lake levels due to higher evaporation and reduced ice cover (3) Burning fossil fuels to drive our cars and to produce electricity is changing our climate. Michigan is known as the car capital of the world and is home to many old coal-fired power plants. The decisions that we make in Michigan will impact people around the globe. Although global climate change is already happening, it can be abated by the individual and community-level decisions we make in Michigan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Some people claim that nuclear power is a reasonable alternative to burning fossil fuels for electricity. We do not share this view. First, nuclear power yields high-level radioactive waste that remains harmful for tens of thousands of years. Much of this waste is currently stored on the shores of the Great Lakes, representing an unacceptable risk to one of Earth’s greatest bounties of usable fresh surface water. Also, nuclear power requires a great expenditure of energy to process uranium fuel, and to build and operate power plants. Much of this energy is fossil-based, so greenhouse gas emissions are still a problem. Finally, nuclear power is expensive. The industry survives only with massive public subsidies including limited liability funded by taxpayers. We offer a more responsible and hopeful vision. In meeting our energy needs, we seek to follow the wisdom of Creation. Renewable energy is a clean and abundant resource, available indefinitely in forms such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. Living plants and entire natural ecosystems thrive by using renewable energy in an efficient manner. Human society could prosper by following this brilliant example. Protecting our planet’s climate is a moral issue because it embraces everyone and everything in Earth’s community. (4) As people from the wide diversity of faiths represented in Michigan, we address threats to our global climate through the lens of our vision and values. We offer our recommendations with confidence in the goodness of people and with hope for future generations. VISION AND VALUES: In 1870, a Lakota Sioux boy named Black Elk, had a vision: “I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit; and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy.” (5) Many great spiritual leaders, prophets and holy people have, like Black Elk, received revelation and enlightenment in nature, on a mountain or, like Buddha, under a tree. Our 3. religious experiences instruct that we are a part of, not apart from, the natural world, and that the Divine is accessible through nature. As the Christian St. Paul wrote: “Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:20 RSV) We strongly affirm the following values that we cherish from our many faith traditions: Stewardship In Genesis 2:15, we read that God put man (humans) in the Garden (Earth) to “till and keep it.” Another translation of the Hebrew terms avad and shamar carries a richer meaning of the human role in the “stewardship” of creation: to “serve and protect.” Stewardship demands respect, honor and awe for that which we cannot control. A modern Rabbi calls this “radical amazement” as we understand our dependence on God, and our role in the natural order. (6) We stand with the psalmist who proclaims, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Ps. 104:24 RSV) Our stewardship is both a humbling responsibility, and a sacred trust. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, humankind is said to be made in the image of God. A Lutheran-Christian scholar explains that imago Dei helps guide the human responsibility to care for the rest of creation, by reflecting God’s gentle care and God’s loving purpose for creation. (7) This loving purpose is reflected in acts of regeneration, conservation, and restoration. Stewardship also demands intergenerational responsibility, where the measure of today’s ecological decisions is their impact on future generations. Our many faith traditions share a common concern for leaving Earth a better place for future generations. The Native American Haudenosaunee “Seventh Generation” philosophy charges chiefs with the responsibility for considering the effect their council decisions have on their descendents. (8) In the traditions of the People of the Book (Jews, Christians, Muslims) the Creator makes a covenant that “all life will never be cut short by the waters of a flood” for everlasting generations (Genesis 9:8-17) (9) Justice Justice has been described as “right relationships”. Many religious traditions have made statements about climate change with respect to justice. The Church of the Brethren has stated that climate change is an issue of justice because the industrialized nations, representing less than 20 percent of the world's population, are responsible for 75 to 80 percent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions. But those who live in poor and developing countries will be most seriously affected by global warming gases. (10) Our awareness of global warming and the resultant global climate change compels precaution. We support the “precautionary principle”: when an activity raises threats of 4. harm, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established. In a 1999 statement, the Reformed Church of America stated that while there is a continuing need for further research and better computer modeling of the effects of increased greenhouse gas emissions, these uncertainties should not be used as an argument for delaying action. The vast scale of the environmental and social damage that would be caused by climate change, and the long time scale it will take to reverse the effects, calls for taking preventive action. The Reformed Church of America believes that it would be easier to achieve reductions now, and at less cost to society, than to wait until the problem has grown worse. (11) Equity/solidarity We must balance American culture’s tendency to individualism by standing in solidarity with all people and their ecosystems affected by global climate change. The US Catholic bishops have stated clearly that the United States should lead the developed nations in contributing to the sustainable economic development of poorer nations to help build their capacity to ease climate change. This is an act of solidarity and in the interest of the common good. (12) We support the 2000 Earth Charter principle of ‘caring for the life community with understanding, compassion and love.’ (13) With increased freedom, knowledge, and power comes increased responsibility to promote the common good. Interfaith Dialogue and Action Faith traditions have three important roles in regard to climate change: • articulating common values • educating their constituencies • motivating people to change personal lifestyles and impact public policies as an expression of their esteem for the Creator and Creation. An Islamic scholar says that these activities are the essence of all revealed religions and the core of the canonical laws of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, and other prophets and philosophers. All had one sole objective: to improve human existence from the state it was in, then to bring it to an even higher level of well being. (14) Sustainability Any individual practice or economic system that promotes and maintains Life is an expression of sustainability. Our profound respect for the life-sustaining genius of ecosystems impels us to both protect and emulate them. Closely related is the principle of parsimony, of taking only what we need right now. The Society of Friends (Quakers) affirms this by their belief that humankind must respect and take responsibility for use of the earth's resources and maintain a sustainable environment for future generations. (15) Human health is dependent on sustainable (life-maintaining) ecosystems. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the projected temperature rise of 7-13 degrees F. in summer in Michigan by the end of the 21st century will increase heat-related morbidity 5. and mortality. Higher temperatures and more electricity generation for air conditioning increase the formation of ground-level ozone, likely exacerbating asthma and other respiratory diseases. Waterborne infectious diseases and insect-borne diseases will become greater problems as well. (16) Scientists at the World Health Organization estimate that, worldwide, roughly 160,000 people already die every year from side effects of global warming ranging from malaria to malnutrition, and that the numbers could almost double by 2020. Prophetic Witness The great prophets in our traditions challenge us to follow in their footsteps, expressing our values in credible ways. We cannot be deterred by convention or temporary inconvenience, or even derision by our peers. An Episcopal priest puts forth the prophetic challenge to respond to the needs of our time by challenging people to make a difference, to lead by example with solar on church roofs, energy efficient appliances and by conservation. (17) Humility In a joint statement, Catholic and Orthodox leaders said we must regain humility and recognize the limits of our knowledge and judgment. Some decisions, actions and values are leading us away from the world as it should be, away from the design of God for creation, away from all that is essential for a healthy planet and a healthy commonwealth of people. (18) Understanding Nature Wisdom Literature from our traditions gives us an understanding of Nature as mystery and gift. A Buddhist view of gaining wisdom is to not assume that we already understand other creatures. Allow ourselves to learn from them, and see what happens as a result of the learning. (19) Through the study of science and our own contemplations in our many faith traditions, we know that the Creator designs organisms to use the sun’s energy. Every organism in nature converts solar energy to meet its basic needs in an efficient and renewable way. Practicing parsimony and sustainability, most creatures take only what they can use. We can do no less than respect and emulate the Creator’s design for the universe, by mimicking these processes. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS: Our values described above inform these three general recommendations for energy policy in Michigan: 1) Reduce demand through conservation and energy efficiency. 2) Clean up fossil-based sources of energy. 3) Transform to renewable sources of energy. We applaud some early steps that have been taken in Michigan toward these recommendations. The 2003 Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign’s “What Should the Governor Drive” promoted conservation and efficiency for the State’s vehicle fleet. Ten Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles are now part of the State fleet, including the Governor’s personal vehicle. This is a small and hopeful first step. The Michigan Public Service Commission is bringing together stakeholders to explore the development of renewable energy via its Michigan Renewable Energy Program (MREP). Another promising State initiative is the Economic Development and Growth Through Energy Effciency (EDGE2) program. These activities are guideposts pointing the way to more significant governmental commitments. In recognition of Earth Day 2005, Governor Granholm issued an executive directive calling for greater energy efficiency in state government. The Department of Management and Budget was directed to reduce energy use in all state-owned and operated buildings by 10% by December 31, 2008, and to reduce grid-based state energy purchases 20% by 2015. The directive also calls for immediate adoption of an array of energy conservation improvements to cut energy costs, including energy audits of state buildings and use of biofuels in state vehicles. Michigan Interfaith Power and Light helps congregations reduce energy demand by conducting facility energy audits and providing group purchase discounts on compact fluorescent lighting and alternate energy sources. As a consequence, MiIPL member congregations are keeping over 5,000 tons of CO2, 27 tons of SO2, 7 tons of NOx and 900 lbs. of particulates out of Michigan's atmosphere, while saving almost $100,000 in energy bills. Several electricity providers are offering customers the ability to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Among these are Wyandotte Municipal Services, which is providing customers access to “green” energy sources through an interstate consortium. Others are Traverse City Power and Light, which has wind and hydroelectric generators on its grid, Lansing Power and Light, which has a green power program based on landfill gas, and Consumers Energy which buys power from two wind generators in Mackinaw City. 7. DTE is collaborating with other stakeholders in the development of energy efficient programs such as Pay As You Save (PAYS). Given the urgent situation we face, and guided by the fundamental recommendations outlined above, we specifically recommend: • That Michigan establish a renewable portfolio standard [RPS] requiring all electricity providers to provide 20% of Michigan’s electricity from renewable and sustainable sources such as solar, wind, and biomass by the year 2020. Small scale, decentralized energy systems are an important component of reaching this goal; clean energy investment funds and a true net metering program could support these systems. • That Michigan’s energy efficiency standards and building codes be evaluated and updated to reflect the most current standards. One study estimates that existing standards have already saved 2.5 percent of annual US electricity use and that these savings could rise to nearly 8 percent in 2020. (20) • That tax incentives or rebates pegged to fuel economy be instituted by the State legislature. This type of program will help create a market for fuel-efficient cars, cut gasoline bills, and reduce global warming emissions from new vehicles. • That tax incentives for the use of one or more alternative fuels, such as renewable ethanol and bio-diesel, be instituted by the State legislature. • That the State encourage school districts to institute non-idling guidelines for school buses, and encourage the use of biodiesel fuel. This would save money and, more importantly, help reduce dangerous air pollution around schools where our children learn, play, and grow. • That we reduce the need for individual vehicles by providing mass transit in our largest metropolitan areas. Every vibrant city in America has light rail and accessible mass transportation. We call on Michigan’s auto companies to support (or build) viable mass transit that is efficient, accessible, comfortable, and rapid. • That the State legislature pass a resolution urging the US Congress to significantly raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this would greatly reduce our dependency on foreign sources of oil. • That smart growth projects be pursued, to reduce the need to drive. We can learn from housing and transportation success stories in other States and countries. "As counterintuitive as it may seem ... living in dense urban areas is actually better for the environment.” (21) New York City is the greenest community in the United 8. States, and one of the greenest cities in the world…. New York City is more populous than all but eleven states…(yet) if it were granted statehood, it would rank fifty-first in per-capita energy use due to the efficiencies of population density, such as multi-family dwellings, shared common space, and high mass transit use. (22) CLOSING AFFIRMATION: Michigan’s wide diversity of faith communities gives us a unique opportunity for fresh approaches to our place in creation. The direst predictions for global warming and climate change are not inevitable if we continue to work together to make the world a better place for future generations. RESOURCES: Blessing for Solar Panels O Source of Light, by Your light we see light. (Psalm 36:10) "And God made the two great lights...and God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the Earth...and God saw that it was good." (Genesis1:16-18) Creator God, may we have the wisdom to appreciate the goodness in Your creation. All: O Source of Light, by Your light we see light. "Give thanks...to the maker of the great lights, whose lovingkindness extends eternally." (Psalm 136:1,7) Gracious God, may we experience Your ever-renewing bounty with awe and gratitude, and may we use it wisely. All: O Source of Light, by Your light we see light. "With a rising-place at one end of heaven, and a circuit that reaches the other, nothing escapes [the sun's] heat." (Psalm 19:7) Holy God, may this simple act of harnessing Your eternal light help us escape the global heating that our generation is causing over Your creation. All: O Source of Light, by Your light we see light. "Arise, shine, for Your light has dawned -- the presence of the Eternal will shine upon you." (Isaiah 60:1) Loving God, Your gift of light enables us to shine. 9. May we, created in Your image, be worthy reflectors of Your glory. All: Amen. By Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, June 10, 2001 Blessing for Wind Power O Source of breath and life, renew the face of the Earth. “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. When you send forth your breath, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.” (Psalm 104: 24, 30) Gracious Lord, may we and our world be revived and restored by your breath of life. All: O Source of breath and life, renew the face of the Earth. “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1: 1,2) God of heaven and Earth, send again your creative wind to inspire many to accept your free and renewable gifts of energy to light our lives. All: O Source of breath and life, renew the face of the Earth. All: Amen By Kim Winchell, June 10, 2001 SOURCES: 1. “Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region, Impacts on Michigan Communities and Ecosystems” Union of Concerned Scientists, April, 2003 http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes 2. USGS. The Water Cycle: Freshwater Storage. Internet, December 8, 2004. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclefreshstorage.html 3. “Impacts on Water: Our Region’s Vital Resource, Selected Findings from “Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region, Impacts on Our Communities and Ecosystems” Union of Concerned Scientists, April, 2003 http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes 10. 4. “An Interfaith Call for Global Climate Justice”, letter to US Senators presented June 21, 2004 by the Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign, Washington, DC http://www.ProtectingCreation.org 5. “Black Hawk Speaks, Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux”, as told through John G. Neihardt. University of Nebraska Press (8th cloth printing: 1995) 6. Abraham Joshua Heschel. “Man is Not Alone: A Philosophy Of Religion.” NY; Noonday Press/ Farrar, Strauss and Giroux. 1951 (23rd printing 2000) 7. Douglas John Hall, “Imaging God: Dominion as Stewardship” (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1986). 8. Haudenosaunee (Six Nations). What is the Seventh Generation? Internet, Dec 8, 2004 http://sixnations.buffnet.net/Culture/?article=seventh_generation (“Haudenosaunee is comprised of the traditional leadership of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk and Tuscarora Nations.”) 9. World ORT. Navigating the Bible II: Genesis Chapter 9. Internet, December 8, 2004. http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?action=displayanchor&pentid=P233 10. “Climate Change and Christian Witness, Church of the Brethren Statement on Global Climate Change” New Windsor, Maryland, March13, 2001 11. John D. Paarlberg, “Report from the Commission on Christian Action to the General Synod of 1999”, Reformed Church of America 12. “Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, June 2001 13. Earth Charter Community Summits. March 2000 http://www.earthchartersummits.org/TheEarthCharter.htm 14. “The Responsibility of Man Towards Himself”, Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro, Ph.D. at the UN Global Forum on Environment and Development for Survival, Moscow, U.S.S.R., January 15-19, 1990 15. Statement of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a public interest lobby of the Religious Society of Friends, November, 2001 16. “Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region, Impacts on Michigan Communities and Ecosystems” Union of Concerned Scientists, April, 2003 http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes 11. 17. “The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Solar Panel”, sermon by The Rev. Sally Bingham, Environmental Minister, Grace Episcopal Cathedral, San Francisco, CA, given at St. Helen’s Anglican Church, Vancouver, British Columbia July 28, 2002 18. “Common Declaration by Pope John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I”, Rome – Venice, June 10, 2002 19. “Buddhism and the Environment, the Wisdom Connection” Internet, Dec. 28, 2004 http://www.earthsangha.org/buddhism/wisdom/htm 20. “Global Warming Solutions, Reducing Heat Trapping Emissions in Michigan” Union of Concerned Scientists, April, 2003 http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes 21. TheStranger.com. The Urban Archipelago. Internet, December 8, 2004. http://www.thestranger.com/2004-11-11/feature.html. page 3. 22. David Owen. Green Manhattan; Our Local Correspondents. The New Yorker. New York: Oct 18, 2004. Vol. 80, Iss. 31; p. 111 Writers: Al Connor—Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Ann Arbor Sr. Kathleen Erard, OP--Dominican Sisters of Adrian Patricia Gillis--Coordinator, MI Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign Jan Katz--MI Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life Fr. Charles Morris--Director, MI Interfaith Power and Light Kim Winchell--Asst. Coordinator, MI Interfaith Climate & Energy Campaign and Diaconal Minister, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America We thank David Gard, Energy Policy Specialist at the Michigan Environmental Council for sharing his technical and policy knowledge with us. 12. ENDORSED BY: Community of Christ: Edward A. Merz, Bishop, Southern Great Lakes International Mission of the Community of Christ, Lansing Episcopal: The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr. 10th Bishop of MI, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan The Rt. Rev. Edwin Leidel, Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, Saginaw The Rt. Rev. James A. Kelsey, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan Jewish: Rabbi David J.B. Krishef, Congregation Ahavas Israel, Grand Rapids Rabbi Norman Roman, Temple Kol Ami, West Bloomfield Betsy Winkelman, Board Chairperson, Michigan Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Bloomfield Hills Lutheran: Rev. Gary L. Hansen, Bishop of North / West Lower MI Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Kim Winchell, Diaconal Minister for Earthkeeping Education, North/West Lower MI Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Muslim: Eide Alawan, Islamic Center of America, Dearborn Imam Abdullah Bey El-Amin, Muslim Center, Detroit Imam Achmat Salie, Islamic Association of Greater Detroit, Rochester Hills Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): Alan N. Connor, Co-clerk of the Lake Erie Yearly Meeting’s Earthcare Committee 13. Roman Catholic: Most Rev. Thomas J. Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Detroit Most Rev. J. Walter Schoenherr, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Detroit Dominican Sisters: Grand Rapids Mary Brigid Clingman OP, Councilor of Mission and Advocacy Home Visitors of Mary, Detroit The Leadership Council, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe Leadership Team, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Detroit, Farmington Hills Sr. Virginia Jones, SSJ, Coordinator, Nazareth Center for Eco-spirituality, Nazareth Sr. Mary Lucille Janowiak, OP, Religion, Ecology and Spirituality Coordinator, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Grand Rapids Sr. Margaret O’Flynn, OP, Chapter Prioress, Great Lakes Dominican Chapter, Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Detroit United Church of Christ: Rev. Henrietta Andrews, Associate Conference Minister, Michigan Conference, United Church of Christ, Detroit Other: Rev. Charles Morris, Director, MI Interfaith Power and Light, Lansing The Rev. Richard O. Singleton, Executive Director, Metro Christian Council: Detroit-Windsor Sr. Janet Stankowski, OP, Board President, Voices for Earth Justice, Roseville