Wind Electricity Generation
Illustration Courtesy of Climate Central
A United Methodist Insight Column
There’s a new tool available for churches to post graphics on their websites that will give a clearer picture of what’s at stake in the push to move away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy, a major emphasis of United Methodist Women, which is offering grants to support their energy initiative.
Climate Central describes itself as “an independent organization of scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public.” The organization conducts surveys and scientific research on the climate emergency and shares its key findings with the public.
The organization now offers free graphics that track the impact of solar and wind power in replacing fossil fuels, thus reducing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. The illustration accompanying this column was created by United Methodist Insight for its home state of Texas.
In addition to options on how to define the graphic’s region, Climate Central offers users a choice of how many days to include along with the metrics to be measure. Plus it gives descriptions of what the metrics mean. For Insight’s graphic we chose to measure the among of electricity generated in Texas by wind power, how many homes it would service and the number of tons of carbon avoided by using wind instead of fossil fuels. Other metrics include how many car miles could be offset, how many trees would need to be planted, how many smartphones could be charges and home energy savings (solar only).
The graphic itself has merit as an informational tool, but it also could be used to support a local church United Methodist Women’s campaign to advance the Just Energy 4 All initiative.
Just Energy 4 All logo
UMW’s Office of Economic and Environmental Justice invites circle, unit, district, conference, or jurisdiction groups to apply for grants to support “just energy” campaigns. The effort advocates for energy “that is cleaner and more just for all of God’s people and creation,” says a press release. “The means advocating for 100% renewable energy (RE) – such as solar, wind, small-scale hydro and geothermal – that is centered on justice and equity.”
The press release continued: "If you are unfamiliar with UMW’s Just Energy for All campaign, we strongly encourage applicants to participate in the next monthly Just Energy for All Strategizing and Capacity Building sessions (Aug 18 and Sep 15 from 3 to 4:30 pm ET). Register here. "
Funding requests of $100 to $5,000 will be considered. An information session on the grant process will be held at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 25. Register here. The application deadline will be Oct. 17. Click here for an application.
Contact climatejustice@unitedmethodistwomen.org with questions.
More COVID updates
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference is the latest unit to recommend that churches resume wearing masks at indoor gatherings as reports increase about a surge of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. As with Arkansas, North Texas, the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area and other U.S. regions of the UMC, Eastern Pennsylvania counsels churches there to watch local public health statistics regarding the number of infections locally. Masks are recommended for indoor, in-person events wherever there’s a caseload of 50 or more coronavirus infections per 100,000 people. Philadelphia, with a COVID-19 rate of 53 cases per 100,000 people, has a “substantial” threat level of contagion.
However, Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has found that the percentage of “vaccine-hesitant” Americans has declined since March, and faith-based outreach has played “a significant role” in convincing people to get immunized. PRRI CEO Robert Jones said of the latest data: “We found that faith-based approaches, that is churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious congregations offering things like information on the vaccine or actually popping up a vaccine clinic at their congregation, these things have actually made a significant difference in the country,”
Media Mentions as of August 2, 2021
Where do major US religions stand on the COVID-19 vaccination? – East Idaho News
CDC researcher Susan Hillis on how people of faith can support COVID orphans – Religion News Service
Howland church becomes 11th Maine Methodist church to close since 2016 – Bangor Daily News
Church pledges proceeds from potential multi-million property sale to Black community – WLOS
Martinsville native dies after having COVID-19 – Martinsville Bulletin
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.