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Summer’s heat is kicking in earlier and lasting longer, with more extremely hot days and longer heat streaks. In the past half-century, summer temperatures have risen 2.0 °F on average. The more intense heat is threatening health and recreational revenue, while increasing cooling costs indoors according to Climate Central. What can you do? Join the faithful voices calling for action on climate change and take steps in your own congregation. Learn about our upcoming events, advocacy, and resources for people of faith! |
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Advocacy |
Community-Wide Action Energy and Climate Action PlanRead about the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee meeting on June 18th, including a presentation of the newly approved Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) as well as an update on recyling in the county. The faith community will be represented in the district focus group structure presented, and FACS will be a member on the Energy and Climate Task Force. Stay plugged into FACS for opportunities to provide input as the CECAP is developed. |
Advocacy WebinarJoin our monthly FACS Advocacy Webinar on July 10th at 1:00 p.m. This month we will learn about the Fairfax County Disaster Support Network Community Resiliency Group (CRG). Fairfax County is building a community resiliency network to provide critical assistance to people in need in the event of a disaster. We will have guest speakers Jonathan Kiell and Barb Bacon, who will talk about Community Resiliency Groups and how that work is relevant to FACS and climate change. Join the webinar via a Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/153536042 or by phone at 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 153 536 042. |
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JET Seeking Fairfax County ResidentsFairfax County’s Joint Environmental Task Force is looking for residents to join this group that focuses on climate change, clean energy, workforce development, and related goals for the schools and county government. The task force—called JET for short—was jointly created in April by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County School Board. Interested residents must submit their resumes and contact information by Sunday, July 7. Applicants should email this information either to Pat Hynes at pmhynes@fcps.edu or Karen Corbett Sanders at klcorbettsan@fcps.edu. Please include a letter describing your interest in serving and what you believe you bring to the work.
FACS Board of Directors Seeking New Board MembersThe FACS Board of Directors is seeking new members to join the board this September. The Board is recruiting new board members who are enthusiastic about local climate action, strategic planning, advocacy and organizing community events. We also welcome folks who aren’t able to make a full time commitment but would like to volunteer their time to join a specific FACS committee that supports the board. If you are interested in learning more about the FACS Board of Directors or board committees reach out to meg@faithforclimate.org. Read the full 2019 Call for Nominations to the FACS Board of Directors and submit your application by August 2. |
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Upcoming Events |
Virginia’s Green New Deal 101Come out to Bull Run Unitarian Universalist on Wednesday, July 17 to learn about the Green New Deal Virginia and how it can achieve a cleaner environment, support farms and create good, green jobs – in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, building, restoring water and air quality, research and more! You will also hear about the Sierra Club’s campaign for Solar Freedom to remove the barriers that hold back solar energy on rooftops and a thriving industry.
Date: Wednesday, July 17th at 7 PM Location: Bull Run Unitarian Universalist (9350 Main St, Manassas, VA 20110) |
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Faith Communities in Action: Environmental Stewardship |
Climate in the PulpitsThis fall, through a partnership between Interfaith Power & Light (MD.DC.NoVA), Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, pastors, rabbis, imams, and other clergy in congregations across the region will be raising up Creation care and climate change as part of their sermons at weekly services and through other learning programs. Throughout Virginia, congregations will be inviting their communities to better care for Creation: at home, in our congregations, in our local governments, and around the world. Sign up at ipldmv.org/climatepulpits to commit your congregation to raising up climate during the weekend of November 15-17, or any weekend this fall. You are invited to participate in a way that best fits your community. This could include inviting a guest speaker, hosting a coffee hour discussion, or organizing a workshop. Ready-to-use resources for raising up climate justice from the pulpit, including bulletin inserts and sermon helpers, in English and Spanish, will be available later this summer. |
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Play-In For Climate ActionJoin Moms from across the country on Thursday, July 11th in Washington, DC for kids’ activities, music by Latin GRAMMY award-winning children’s musician, Mister G, and exciting speakers, as we deliver a public message from families across the country: it’s time to get serious about climate change! FACS is a partner for the event. Date: Thursday, July 11, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM |
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Resources |
Resource PageAre you looking for resources for your Green Team? Make sure to check out the FACS resource page. Grants for Place of WorshipSince 2015, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District has been providing technical and financial assistance to places of worship to help resolve localized drainage & erosion issues as well as helping to make these communities more energy efficient. The Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives, technical, and educational assistance places of worship in Fairfax County who are dedicated to installing eligible stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP’s) or energy efficiency projects within their community. For more information click here or email jackie@faithforclimate.org. Faith Community SpotlightTogether Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, Unity of Fairfax, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Reston, 350 Fairfax and the Woodburn Home Association collected over 500 lbs. (40,000) single use plastic bags to create a Trex Bench for Luther Jackson Middle School. These congregations and community groups worked together to bring awarness to single use plastics in Fairfax County. Their efforts were recently recognized by the Fairfax County School Board. You can watch a video about their work here! |
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