New federal safeguards to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants are necessary not just because they help the environment, but because they are the right and moral thing to do, North Carolina faith leaders say.
NC Interfaith Power & Light supports the Clean Power Plan released Monday, Aug. 3, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which calls for reducing carbon pollution from existing power plants by 32 percent by 2030.
The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches said the measures in the plan will take steps toward safeguarding the planet for the common good, as called for in Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment.
“Pope Francis calls us to work together to take action to protect God’s creation and those who are most vulnerable to climate impacts,” she said. “The Clean Power Plan is one step in curbing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.”
The Clean Power Plan calls on states to reduce carbon emissions from power plants—which account for 40 percent of national carbon emissions—and to increase reliance on alternate, cleaner sources of power, such as wind and solar, steps North Carolina is already taking. More than 4,000 people in North Carolina have jobs related to the solar industry and jobs in the wind industry are also on the rise.
“In North Carolina, we are blessed with abundant clean sources of energy like the wind and the sun,” said Susannah Tuttle M.Div, Director of NC Interfaith Power & Light. “The Clean Power Plan will not only reduce the amount of harmful carbon pollution that is being emitted, but also serve to further drive innovation in clean energy that will be good for jobs and rural economies in our state.”
Carbon dioxide emissions have been a major driver in global climate change. Current impacts include severe storms, deadly heat waves, drought, flooding and wildfires, all of which severely impact God’s creation. Carbon pollution is also related to health problems such as respiratory ailments. Interfaith Climate Action Coalition organizer Ahmer Inam of Charlotte said the actions the plan proposes can help restore the health of the planet and its people.
“Reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants is equivalent to increasing the oxygen content in the lungs of someone trying to quit smoking,” said Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri, Director of the Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina.
Leaders of NC Interfaith Power & Light, a non-profit organization which works with all faith traditions to seek solutions to climate change, say the nation has a moral responsibility to reduce carbon pollution, since the U.S. produces more and has a greater ability to limit emissions and can help lead a global effort for reductions.
In addition, climate change significantly exacerbates issues on which congregations and faith communities are already working: issues like hunger, clean water, disaster relief, refugee services, and conflict resolution.
“Faith leaders need to connect the dots between climate change and its impacts and advocate for meaningful solutions,” Tuttle said. “Limiting carbon pollution from power plants is a key part of that solution. We call upon people of faith to provide leadership on this issue and act in the interest of the common good.”
NC Interfaith Power & Light (NCIPL) works with faith communities to identify and implement positive, hope-filled solutions and responses to climate change as a moral imperative. NCIPL is a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches, comprised of 25 distinct judicatories from 17 denominations with 1.5 million congregants across the state. In 2005, NCIPL became the 16th state affiliate of the national Interfaith Power & Light Campaign. There are now Interfaith Power & Light affiliates in 40 states in over 18,000 congregations.
Clean Power Plan Resources:
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White House Fact Sheet: Clean Power Plan benefits for North Carolina
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EPA Technical Overview of Clean Power Plan: State At A Glance – North Carolina
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White House Fact Sheet: Historic Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants
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Press Release: Interfaith Power & Light supports the Clean Power Plan
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VIDEO: President Obama on America’s Clean Power Plan
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VIDEO: EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy explains the Clean Power Plan
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VIDEO: President Obama’s 8/3/15 speech announcing Clean Power Plan
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Script: 8/3/15 Remarks by the President announcing the Clean Power Plan