Carbon Pollution and Social Justice

     On Sunday June 3rd, Ark and Dove will be welcoming a guest preacher-- Reverend Dr. J Herbert Nelson, II.  Dr. Nelson serves as the Director of the PCUSA Office of Public Witness which is charged with implementing the social justice and peace agendas of the Presbyterian Church.  "Its task is to advocate, and help the church to advocate, the social witness perspectives and policies of the Presbyterian General Assembly".  Dr. Nelson has become an educator in how Presbyterians can influence public policy to align with the moral and ethical issues that we believe in.

    In conjunction with Dr. Nelson's presence, we just happen to be offering a small advocacy opportunity after each of the services.   Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light is in the process of lobbying the EPA to adopt the proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants.  The EPA is currently reviewing and accepting public comment on these new carbon pollution safeguards and performance standards.  GWIPL would like you to sign a postcard that says you support these new standards.  They will then deliver your note of support, along with thousands of other notes from a wide variety of congregations and faith based organizations to the EPA to show that protecting our environment and our communities is important to us.

  While the Clean Air Act of 1970 does put a limit on certain hazardous air pollutants, "there are no limits on the amount of carbon pollution that can be released from power plant smokestacks".  The intent of the new standards will be to reduce carbon pollution, thereby reducing smog, and to shift to less polluting technologies in future power plants.  This is an opportunity for you to show your support for something that will improve the environment of communities across the country and lessen the health effects to those who are most vulnerable to poor air quality.  As Interfaith Power and Light notes, this "is a critical and historical step forward to directly address climate-changing pollution".  Dr. Nelson, in his blog from 2011, reminds us that John Calvin, the founder of Presbyterianism believed that "the Church had a responsibility to provide guidance to political leaders and structures in an effort to assist them in the implementation of Godly leadership".

   We hope that you will add your name to the list of those who support these new Carbon Pollution standards this Sunday. You can find more information in the links below.

Clean Air Act of 1970

New Carbon Pollution Standards

Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light