The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham sent a message to Interfaith Power & Light supporters following Tuesday’s election. Here’s what she had to say:
The 2012 election campaign has ended, and our nation can return its attention to fixing the things that still don’t work. Congress has a responsibility to the people of this country to make policy that benefits the common good. We offer our prayers for a new civility that will allow partisanship to fade away and the real issues to be brought forward. There is an urgent need to solve the climate crisis.
As we wrote you last week, Superstorm Sandy brought into sharp focus the stakes of continuing to ignore global warming. There was silence on climate change during the debates, but last night President Obama told the nation, “We want our children to live in a America … that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.” It is up to us, as people of faith, to hold him to that promise as we work to keep this issue in the forefront of the national discussion.
Thank you for voting your values, and for all you do to protect God’s Creation and our most vulnerable neighbors. All across the country, Interfaith Power & Light affiliates worked on behalf of measures to ensure a more sustainable future:
· In California, voters approved a Clean Energy Job Creation Fund that will direct up to $550 million each year into energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on public buildings like solar panels on school roofs.
· Michigan Interfaith Power & Light helped lead an effort to boost the state’s renewable energy standard to 25 percent by the year 2025. Although the fossil fuel industry beat Proposal 3 with $25 million in spending, Michigan began an important debate on how to reduce our use of coal.
In other good news, Maine elected a U.S. Senator with a history of advocating for wind power, and although the race was too close to call today, Washington State may soon have a new governor who has made clean energy a priority.
IPL is helping congregations and individuals reduce their carbon footprints. We’re connecting food choices to a sustainable climate. We’re aiding people in developing nations who are working to address climate change.
I hope this election will end the bickering and allow for federal legislation to address climate and energy. We are the many who are ONE, and we must work together. Please join me.
In faith,
The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham
Interfaith Power & Light
P.S. Even with a divided Congress, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency have advanced regulations to reduce carbon pollution and safeguard the nation’s most vulnerable people. We hope and expect to see a continuation of these efforts. Your contribution will help us support these vital actions. Thank you!
