Interfaith Power & Light

We need your help in our advocacy to shift financial institutions away from investing in fossil fuel projects. Join us and our partner, ClientEarth, to encourage your employer to divest from fossil fuels in their employer-sponsored retirement plans. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e37kdBBK

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota is now a national IPL Certified Cool Congregation at the 20% and above reduction level for preventing 77 tons of carbon emissions annually through energy efficiency actions. Their upcoming solar will result in even further savings. “Our decisions were rooted in our faith and our sensitivity to the charge that we sustain the planet that God has given us,” says Rev. Pam Fickenscher, pastor of the congregation. Congratulations St. John’s Lutheran Church! 🎉 Read their story here: https://lnkd.in/eSTMDvCT

An inspiring end to our time at the Wilton Park Dialogue, with commitments to move this women-led, faith-based environmental network forward for the benefit of our Sacred Earth. I feel entirely blessed by this time in Frascati with these brilliant leaders. And now, turning to a time of rest and renewal, starting in Florence. Interfaith Power & Light Wilton Park #ClimateAction #Gender

What an incredible two days so far at the Wilton Park Dialogue in Frascati, Italy. This important gathering has brought together 50 women leaders of faith-based environmental organizations and a few of our male allies to discuss how we can go farther, faster through radical collaboration. I was honored to present on opportunities and challenges to greater collaboration in the women-led, faith-based environmental space. Interfaith Power & Light Wilton Park #Climate #Gender

People of faith from many traditions gathered at the State Department in Washington D.C. today to pray for the U.S. delegation attending COP29 in November, and to urge the U.S. to take bold action to curb emissions and to act as a leader for climate justice! 🌎 Together, we delivered a petition signed by two thousand people of faith calling on the U.S. to commit to accelerate ambition on NDCs, increase climate finance commitments, support loss and damage finance, and include climate and environmental justice in adaptation and mitigation at COP29. 📄 #COP29Azerbaijan #InterfaithSolidarity #COP29

Interfaith Power & Light is thrilled to welcome Regina Q. Banks, JD as the newest member of our board. Banks is a womanist climate activist and professional advocate for economic, social, and political justice. She currently serves as the Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California and chair of Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. Read more about Banks, and hear from her on her appointment here: https://lnkd.in/eeie8CGD We wish her a warm welcome to the Interfaith Power & Light Board! Regina Q. Banks

World Food Day is celebrated annually on October 16 to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger, and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) designated October 16 as World Food Day in 1979. Climate change is making it harder to grow food around the world and many more are going hungry as a result. As people of faith and conscience, we are called to care for the hungry. Make the climate connection.  #Faiths4Climate

Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon is a national IPL Certified Cool Congregation at the 60% reduction level for installing solar to provide all their electricity needs, plus sharing nearly 5000 kWh of electricity to a low-income assistance program. They also cut gas use with a high-efficiency electric heat pump water heater, and a mini-split for the church offices. They are preventing approximately 40 tons of carbon emissions annually. “Imagine the hope it would give future generations if every mosque, synagogue, and church became a solar sanctuary with green, renewable energy,” says Rev. Dr. W. J. Mark Knutson, pastor of the congregation. Congratulations Augustana Lutheran Church! 🎉 Read their story here: https://lnkd.in/dTxjyvcH #CoolCongregations

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota is now an IPL Certified Cool Congregation at the 40% and above reduction level for preventing 316 tons of carbon emissions annually through energy efficiency actions. They accomplished this by managing their building’s heating and cooling system to cut energy consumption and by upgrading their lighting. “God calls us into relationship with Creation to be good stewards now and for generations to come,” says John Holt, Director of Community Outreach, “Our congregation will continue to work to reduce our environmental impact.” Congratulations Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church! Read their story here: https://lnkd.in/eMWq26Sn

“Our many varied faith traditions have taught us the power of prayer and the values of love and compassion. In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the team at Interfaith Power & Light and our network of state affiliates offer our deepest prayers, from our multitude of spiritual backgrounds, for the individuals and families who have lost loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods in these disasters." Read the full statement from Interfaith Power & Light President, Rev. Susan Hendershot, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton: https://lnkd.in/eCsZs5vj