Dear ,

We have all been through a lot - and the future seems to mostly hold out a radical uncertainty. Sometimes one could be forgiven for slipping into despair. But we must remember that periods of uncertainty are also periods of opportunity. Things are shook loose; we are shook loose, perhaps to be more deeply planted in our faith. And out of faith rekindled comes hope and action.

Blessings, 
Phil

In this month's Newsletter, we feature information about:

• ICEJ and Grid Alternatives BIPOC outreach
  
• Upcoming Meeting: July 12th Coalition Meeting
  
• "The Carbon Bomb"
  
• Meet ICEJ's New Media Coordinator
  
• How to Get Involved

For at least the past 25 years, the environmental community has become more aware that it is overwhelmingly white and upper middle class.  There has been a lot of soul-searching about this fact and, especially since the advent of the Black Lives Matter movement, there has been a real attempt on the part of many environmental groups to become more inclusive–to do a better job welcoming persons of color and speaking to their needs. One real tragedy of the environmental crisis is that climate change and industrial pollution strike first and most devastatingly at the Global South and frontline communities in the developed world, both of which tend to be poorer communities of color.

ICEJ has been committed to inclusivity and intersectionality from the start, but we are now launching an initiative with GRID Alternatives San Diego which is the manager for the State of California’s Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) Program. This program provides low income homeowners with rooftop solar systems at no cost to the homeowner.  Our outreach plan, the brainchild of long-time ICEJ member and Senior Outreach Coordinator for GRID Alternatives, Min. Clovis Honoré, is to do mailings to faith communities in DAC-SASH regions encouraging them to let their congregants know about the Program.  ICEJ’s piece is to let these same communities know that we exist and ask if there is any way that we can be of assistance in addressing a local environmental problem.  And if there is interest in starting a creation care group in the faith community, we will offer what support we can.  Both ends are probably best served by having some kind of presentation/dialogue to begin.

We are excited about this partnership and the first mailing has already gone out.  Stay tuned for further developments.

Contact us if you're interested in learning more, getting involved or would like to refer religious organizations within the BIPOC community for us to reach out to - info@icejsd.org.

After a brief hiatus, ICEJ is reconvening on Tuesday, July 12th @  3 - 4:30 PM. We will discuss our current projects: our BIPOC Outreach, fundraising plans, plan our fall/winter events - our next Advancing Earth Justice talk and (hopefully) an in-person retreat. We always welcome new members but this is a particularly good time to join us.  

WHEN: TUESDAY, JULY 12th, 2022 @ 3:00 - 4:30 PM PST

ICEJ meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. 

WHERE : ZOOM (link below)

For Questions and to RSVP: Email Phil@icejsd.org

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/94105422068?pwd=THljWXppY2puQno0Rm5ORlNveXpMUT09

A recent story in The Guardian is deeply troubling.  Titled “Revealed: the ‘carbon bombs’ set to trigger catastrophic climate breakdown” the article tracks the fossil fuel industry’s short term expansion projects for oil and gas, 195 of which are termed ‘carbon bombs” meaning that each would emit at least a billion tons of CO2 emissions over their lifetimes.  60% of these projects are already launched.  The remaining 40% that are planned must be stopped or global heating will almost certainly blow past 1.5°C–the projected safe limit.  The U.S. is the leading source of these emissions–its 22 projects would account for a fifth of potential emissions.  The article is full of other statistics but the key takeaways are these:

• Global CO2 emissions continue to rise each year despite an emissions decline in the US.  China is far and away the biggest emitter.
• Many world governments have pledged to reduce emissions but in fact have done little to reign in the fossil fuel industry.
• The fossil fuel industry is making record profits–profits which will be plowed back into these climate-destroying expansion projects.
• The fossil fuel industry worldwide is also heavily subsidized.  Eliminating these subsidies would help to level the playing field with renewables.
• Stopping new fossil fuel projects will only happen if the public pressures our governments to place new restrictions on the industry.

Perhaps the most salient quote is from UN Secretary General António Guterres–“Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.”  I do not know exactly which tactics are the best for addressing this problem–it is complicated–but I do know that sitting on our hands will most surely lead to massive climate disruption.  How ICEJ will act we do not yet know but, as people of faith with a deep concern for all life on earth, act in some fashion we must.  Join us to think this through and take action.

- Phil Petrie, ICEJ Coordinator

“I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.” —Frank Lloyd Wright

Volunteer shout out!  Thank you to all the ICEJ volunteers who planned and hosted our first annual Earth Fair booth and made it such a success! Because of your efforts we mailed postcards signed by Earth Fair attendees to The White House urging President Biden to honor his fossil fuel pledge.