FACS June Newsletter
genlack-dev, June 5, 2020
Dear Friend,
Don’t forget to register for the FACS Sustainability Champions awards ceremony! These annual awards highlight the people and organizations that have made significant contributions towards the FACS mission of creating moral and equitable solutions to climate change in Northern Virginia.
The winners will be honored Thursday, June 4th at 12:00 p.m. during an online ceremony featuring remarks from Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay and Fairfax County School Board Chair Karen Corbett Sanders.
According to Jeff McKay, “the environmental advocates being honored by FACS have created considerable momentum towards our shared goal of a more sustainable future. Only by working together and recognizing these actions will we achieve our vision for 2030.” Read more from our Keynote speakers here.
The 2020 winners are:
- Individual: Debra Jacobson, JD
- Faith Community: Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
- Elected Official: Karl Frisch, Fairfax County School Board
- Local Business: GreenFare Restaurant in Herndon Virginia
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Advocacy Priorities for 2020-21
The FACS Advocacy Teams are busy determining which climate issues FACS should focus on for 2020-21. Each year we put together a briefing of possible issues and send it out in a survey to all Advocacy Team members to determine their priorities and interests. This year the survey includes five state level issues and eight county level issues.
Survey responses are due June 5 and results will be discussed during the June 10 Advocacy Team monthly meeting. In late June the FACS Advocacy Team Leaders and Issues Leads will begin choosing priorities. The 2020-21 FACS Advocacy Platform will be announced in August.
If you would like to be part of FACS’ Advocacy issues planning, you are welcome to join a District Advocacy Team. Contact Rebecca@faithforclimate.org for more information.
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Expanding FACS Advocacy Beyond Fairfax County
Amazon, Potomac Yard, plus over 20 million sq. feet of new development in Alexandria and Arlington. Will this development be in alignment with carbon reduction goals? How can members of the faith community hold leaders accountable for those goals?
If you are interested in how the FACS advocacy model could work in Arlington, the City of Alexandria or another municipality, please join us for this informational session. You will learn about the FACS advocacy team model as well as advocacy initiatives already underway through the Mt. Vernon Sierra Club and other groups. This is your opportunity to learn and get involved with creating hyperlocal faith-based advocacy teams in Arlington and the City of Alexandria.
Please Register for this Free event to obtain your Zoom link for a webinar on Tuesday, June 30th at 7:00 p.m.
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Sustainable Landscaping Symposium
Did you know that sustainable landscaping supports biodiversity, fights climate change and can save you time and money? Find out how at the Sustainable Landscaping Solutions for Faith Communities video conference sponsored by Plant NOVA Natives and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions.
Featured will be talks on landscaping for habitat and stormwater management and a breakout group on vegetable gardens that support feeding programs in our communities. Will this benefit your place of worship? FACS member Ed Sabo will talk about how St. John Neumann Catholic Church has integrated these practices.
Tree of Life: This Symposium counts as a training session to earn your faith community a Leaf in the program and is the first step towards earning a blossom for implementation of these practices.
When: Sunday, June 14 2 pm – 4:30 pm
Where: Webinar (Zoom)
Sponsors: Plant NOVA Natives and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
Free and open to the public.
Details and registration here
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FACS Summer Workshops
Did you know that FACS workshops can now be delivered online?
Keep the momentum going with your faith community by scheduling a FACS workshop. With Zoom break out rooms and polls, we are making these experiences as interactive and community-building as possible. Contact Rebecca@faithforclimate.org to talk about how one of these will fit into your summer plans.
Energy Justice: Hands on training based on the Energy Masters model on how to increase energy efficiency and lower costs. Energy efficiency is the least expensive source of clean energy!
Faith and the Environment: Build community and commitment to your earth care programs with this interactive discussion on how people of faith live out their commitment to stewardship of the earth.
Local Advocacy: (NEW) Summer is the perfect time to get ready for fall advocacy. Learn how environmental advocacy works in Fairfax County and the State. In this hands on session find your representatives and how your faith community can be involved.
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June 4: FACS Sustainability Champions Awards Program
Our 2020 award winners will be honored Thursday, June 4th at 12:00 p.m. during an online ceremony. With a theme of “Vision 2030” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay and Fairfax County School Board Chair Karen Corbett Sanders will speak about their vision for climate action by 2030. Award winners will inspire with their stories of going the extra mile for sustainability. Register for this free event here, and the Zoom information will be sent to you.
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June 10: FACS Monthly Advocacy Webinar
All are welcome to participate in FACS’ monthly advocacy webinar on Wednesday, June 10 at 1:00 p.m. The webinars are a great opportunity to quickly get up-to-speed on FACS’ advocacy initiatives and opportunities for action to bring back to your faith communities. We will review the Advocacy Issues Survey results.
NEW – Registration Requirement. Due to security issues with Zoom, you will need to register for the Advocacy Meetings. Once you register you will be given the link to join. You only need to register once, and you will then be able to join Advocacy Meetings for the rest of the year. Click here for the registration link.
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June 14: Sustainable Landscaping for Faith Communities
Sustainable Landscaping Solutions for Faith Communities video conference sponsored by Plant NOVA Natives and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. See information above.
When: Sunday, June 14 2 pm – 4:30 pm
Details and registration here.
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June 14: Environmental Justice and Food
Rescheduled from May 17 to June 14! From 1-2 pm. Special guests from the Mayan League discuss the many ways that our current food system exploits both people and the planet. Register to get the Zoom link by emailing lgrowe@verizon.net
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June 30: Expanding FACS Advocacy
If you are interested in how the FACS advocacy model could work in Arlington, the City of Alexandria or another municipality, please join us for this informational session. You will learn about the FACS advocacy team model as well as advocacy initiatives already underway through the Mt. Vernon Sierra Club and other groups.
This is your opportunity to learn and get involved in this exciting new opportunity.
When: Tuesday, June 30th at 7:00 p.m.
Please Register for this Free event to obtain your Zoom link.
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TCI is just another RGGI …
What? The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is an agreement between several states on the East Coast to put a price on carbon emissions from cars, trucks and other transportation. Like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) it generates revenue from polluters than can be used for green infrastructure. Governor Northam is expected to sign an agreement with some specific TCI measures this fall. Learn about TCI here and find out how our friends at Environment Virginia think TCI can move us towards Electric Vehicles and school buses.
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FACS Tree of Life
Looking for ways to get your faith community involved in acting on climate change, deepening engagement or sharing resources? See what is available in the Tree of Life earth stewardship program.
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In Peace,
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
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