“Can Ethics and Faith Guide Our Responses to Climate Change?”

flaming chaliceA Panel Discussion on Tuesday, February 19th,     6:00 to 7:30 PM, at the Massanutten Regional Library

With guests speakers:

Ehsan Ahmed, secretary general of the Islamic Association of the Shenandoah Valley

Ross Erb, associate pastor of Parkview Mennonite Church

Ann Held, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church

Mark Piper, assistant professor in the JMU Department of Philosophy and Religion.

During 2012 alone the world saw floods in Japan, Fiji, Venice, the UK, Nigeria, Pakistan and more, drought in Russia, China, and North Korea. Sea levels are rising around the world, affecting the most heavily populated regions on earth. In the United States we have had not only the hottest year ever but our own terrible share of drought and floods and extremely strong storms. Millions of people have been impacted, losing their jobs, their homes, their food sources and even their lives. While our beautiful valley has not suffered that much so far, more severe climate change effects will arrive.  And, with increasing globalization, any disaster is felt around the world.

In the past, the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley has addressed the economic incentives of moving to alternative energy sources and building or retrofitting homes that are energy efficient.  On February 19th we will look beyond the dollars and cents and ask a panel to address the moral, ethical, and religious values that might also guide our choices in responding to climate change.

Please join us for this insightful presentation!

Feb. 3: “Fork in the Road: Keystone XL and the Economics of Climate Change”

fork in the roadWhy are local environmental groups going to Washington, D.C., on February 17th to join the 350.org  / Sierra Club  “Forward on Climate Change Rally” against the Keystone XL pipeline?

Come to
Community Mennonite Church, 70 S.High St., Harrisonburg, on Sunday, Feb. 3rd  
from 3-6 PM  for a ‘teach-in’ by Occupy Harrisonburg, our local chapter of the Sierra Club, the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley, and others, about the urgency of addressing climate change and the economic policies that can lead us into a more sustainable future for ourselves and our posterity. Information about attending the rally will be available. The event will be concluded before the Super Bowl kickoff!
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley: contactcaav@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/caavva  www.climateactionallianceofthevalley.org

CAAV Members Lobby H-burg City Council

city council

On Thursday, January 10, CAAV members screened a National Resource Council (NRC) video with Harrisonburg City Council members at Clementine Cafe. Climate Change: Lines of Evidence explains the lines of evidence that have built the current scientific consensus about climate change and its causes. The video covers the first of three parts presented in the NRC booklet, Climate Change: Evidence, Impacts, and Choices,  which was distributed to each of the attending council members.

In the way of tangible actions, CAAV urged the council to approve the retrofitting energy efficiency plans for two public buildings submitted by ABM. The improvements offer substantial energy savings and a guaranteed payback in 12 years.

Petition Delivered to Senator Warner December 6, 2012

Members of CAAV's Legislation and Election's committee delivered this letter with a few hundred attached signatures to Thomas King, environmental specialist for Senator Mark Warner in Washington, D.C.
Members of CAAV’s Legislation and Election’s committee delivered this letter with 185 signatures to Thomas King, environmental specialist for Senator Mark Warner in Washington,D.C.
Shirley, Laura, Charlie, Cathy and Bishop with Thomas King
Shirley, Laura, Charlie, Cathy and Bishop with Thomas King

See Cathy’s report about this meeting here.

The Daily News Record covered the story on December 20, 2012, here.