Climate Advocacy Toolkit

Connection Between Faith and Public Policy

Love is the heart of faith. This love prompts compassionate responses to the needs of others. We often discover, however, that our individual acts of charity and generosity only relieve symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of suffering. At this point love compels us to pursue justice by engaging in public policy debate about the systems and structures that affect the common good.

Iowa IPL supporters have been faithful advocates for sustainable energy policy and climate policy through public education on these issues, as well as by contacting their legislators at the local, state, and federal levels and asking them to support these policies.

During the 2017 Iowa legislative session, we advocated for energy policies that encourage a transition to 100% clean energy in Iowa, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, protect the health, beauty, and integrity of creation, and support the health of human communities. Click here for our 2017 climate and energy priorities.

In addition, Iowa IPL supporters have submitted comments on Distributed Generation to the Iowa Utilities Board, supported energy efficiency legislation in Congress, and supported the Production Tax Credit for wind energy. Advocates have also spoken in support of the carbon pollution rules for new and existing power plants through comments submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Iowa IPL will continue to send out action alerts on legislation on a timely basis. To join our email list and receive these alerts sign up here.

Climate and the Economy

Climate change certainly has negative economic impacts, including driving down crop yields, driving up energy costs, and wreaking financial havoc on communities besieged by climate disasters that occur with greater frequency and intensity. But the truth is that shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, it advances America’s competitive edge in providing clean technology solutions. The same solutions that can mitigate risk for climate disasters can also provide good jobs in manufacturing, research and development, and the service sectors.

Energy efficiency innovations not only create jobs, but also save congregations, businesses, and families money on their utility bills and reduce pollution. Reducing pollution means cleaner air, cleaner water, and better health for everyone. The economic benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency far outweigh the costs, and are in the best interest of our children’s future.

Advocacy Resources

Learn how to lobby your legislator and tell your story with our Lobbying 101 guide.

Learn how to develop your skills and take concrete actions as a climate advocate with our Advocacy 101 guide.

Other Talking Points and Tools

Gain a better understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change with our Climate Change 101 guide.

Climate change is a social justice issue! Learn how to talk about it with our Climate Change and Social Justice Talking Points.

Engage in conversations with climate change skeptics. Use our Responding to Climate Change Skeptics Guide or check out Grist’s vast and helpful series on How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic.

 

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