What is the Climate Gap?
Top of the Crop
What is the “climate gap?” Rajendra Pachuari, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change eloquently explained the meaning of the term “climate gap” when he said, “It’s the poorest of the poor in the world, and this includes poor people even in prosperous societies, who are going to be the worst hit.” With this understanding, COEJL continues to work towards addressing the urgent issue of climate change and its effects on all people, particularly those with lesser means. That is why COEJL has been very much in support of the JCPA’s 2010 Fighting Poverty with Faith mobilization. After a successful effort, on November 22nd, the JCPA will hold an press event in Washington D.C. to proclaim the conclusion of this initiative, and the importance of remaining engaged in fighting poverty within and among faith communities. COEJL understands how the poorest of the world will be impacted the most severely by changes in the climate, and therefore considers climate change one of the most serious environmental and humanitarian matters in need of our immediate attention. Read my full article on the climate gap here.
Sustainably Yours,
– Sybil Sanchez, Director
P.S. You can help take action on this and other urgent matters by making a contribution to COEJL now. Thank you for your hard work to protect the environment.
Community News and Views
Chanukah and energy go hand in hand. During the holiday of Chanukah, we celebrate the miracle of one day’s worth of oil and light lasting for eight days. With this in mind, COEJL and the Religious Action Center, along with a network of Jewish organizations, have put together a gift resource guide and fun program material (Green Movie and Book Guides for example) to engage your community to help save energy for the festival of lights and beyond. Check out our Energy Program & Gift Guide and make this Chanukah a green one.
San Antonio CRC Launches “A Day of Rest” Project on Dec. 12th. The Energy and Environment Committee of the Community Relations Council of San Antonio Texas is launching a new project called “A Day of Rest” with a walk-a-thon on December 12th, 2010 at 12:30 PM CST. The event will be held at the Campus for the San Antonio Jewish Community located at 12500 N.W. Military Highway in San Antonio Texas. The goal of the project, according to Mike Stern, committee chairman, is to encourage people to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels. The principal method the committee will advocate is to reduce driving by the equivalent of one day a month. This method of energy conservation has two benefits. First, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, thereby giving our much-abused planet “a day of rest.” And secondly, it will help reduce funding for terrorism. Go to the website for more information.
After the Spill: Interfaith Community Launches Long-Term Gulf Restoration Project. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism has launched After the Spill: Religious Communities Restoring the Gulf, an online project of the Religious Action Center (RAC). The RAC, along with COEJL, and over 15 other Jewish and Christian partner groups in the Gulf and across North America, are committed to the long-term Gulf restoration following the BP oil spill disaster. Go to Afterthespill.com and check out this recent Huffington Post article by RAC Sustainability Program Coordinator Rachel Cohen for more information.
Save the Date: March 9th, 2011 Energy Forum in DC. COEJL is hosting an Energy Forum in Washington D.C. following the JCPA Plenum. We will bring Jews around the country together to work toward a better future, healthier environment, and more secure energy future. Join national leaders, communal professionals and environmental experts. More details soon.
