| | Local climate solutions powered by faith communities | | | | 7th Annual Climate Crisis Forum - September 22nd Mark your calendars for our 7th Annual Virginia Climate Crisis Forum on September 22 from 7 - 9pm! The theme of this year’s forum is Climate Change is a Health Emergency, featuring the former Chief Medical Officer of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Fan Tait, along with a panel of local physicians and climate experts. Stay tuned for additional speakers. Please spread the word and register today! | | | | | | Summer of Action Bootcamp: Build your power! Learn how to be a more powerful climate advocate - sign up today! Session 2 - Power Communicating - Monday, 8/15, 4-6pm We'll do a deeper dive on writing opinion pieces and building access with decision makers and influencers through social media. Register here. Session 3 - En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator - Mon, 9/12, 4-6pm Learn to use MIT and Climate Interactive's Climate Solutions Simulator. We'll also cover the current status of federal climate policies. Register here. | | | | Photo Petition: DEFEND RGGI We are calling on individuals and faith communities alike to participate in an online rally to stop Gov. Youngkin's unlawful actions to pull Virginia out of the successful, bipartisan Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Post your photo petition to social media and use the hashtags #DefendRGGI and #CodeRedForHumanity. Tag us @FaithForClimate and Governor Youngkin @GovernorVA, your state senators, delegates, and the press. Learn more HERE. The climate crisis is here! We must raise our voices (and our camera phones) to protest Youngkin's illegal overturning of law by administrative repeal. Join us! | | | | Calling for Poetry Submissions: Dear Human at the Edge of Time - Poetry Anthology Project A Call for Poems on Climate Change in the United States - Selected submissions will be published in a print anthology and on the Science Museum of Virginia website, at the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment #NCA5 in 2023. Learn more and upload your submissions HERE or scan the QR code. | | | | | | | | | | HUB UPDATES BELOW Be sure to visit our online calendar to see when Hub monthly meetings happen, what FACS events are on the horizon, and what community events are being planned by other groups. | | | | | | | | Fairfax County Hub Updates We are refining our advocacy talking points for the coming year, consulting with our excellent volunteers. We're also meeting with our new FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid, about greening our school system and buildings. We're exploring reducing glass waste through better recycling practices, inspired by a Chicago model that repurposes food grade glass. Would you like to help? We have two opportunities for dedicated people. The first opportunity is to coordinate efforts to bring energy efficiency kits to lower-income areas, along with county staff, through the HomeWise program. The second opportunity is to help build a solar-for-buildings team, which needs some tech-minded people. Read more HERE. The Fairfax Hub meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7pm-8:30pm. Contact Kris Rosenthal for more information at kristin.rosenthal@gmail.com. | | | | City of Alexandria Hub Updates Please attend the Saturday, August 27th Energy and Climate Change Action Plan community workshop. The meeting will go from 9am to 12pm and is an important opportunity for you to make your voice heard for a strong climate plan for Alexandria. Check out the City Climate Change and Energy Plan (ECCAP) website for more information. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors! Our next virtual monthly meeting is Tuesday, August 9th, 7pm-8pm. We'll gather for an update on how you and FACS can positively shape the City's Energy and Climate Change Action Plan and other hub activities. We'll also make plans for an in-person casual outdoor social gathering later in the month. If you're interested in joining this hub, please email info@faithforclimate.org and we'll get you connected! | | | | | | Arlington County Hub Updates We met with key Arlington policy makers, including the majority of the County Board members, the County Manager and Senior Staff. We discussed climate policy priorities, including the Office of Climate Coordination and Policy and our suggestion for how the county can lower emissions via the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan. In addition, the Arlington Hub submitted comments to the County Board in support of the Missing Middle Phase 2 Framework on moral and environmental grounds. Arlington Hub members are launching a new initiative to support Arlington Public Schools via facilities, transportation and curriculum to lower carbon emissions and address climate impacts. The Arlington Hub meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month, with the next meeting on August 3rd at 7pm. | | | | Loudoun County Hub Updates We met with Broad Run Board member Sylvia Glass, and she said "yes" to our ask to approve the Environmental Commission's report on an Environmental and Energy Plan, which provides direction for the County's environmental and energy policies over the next several years. We also met with the Broad Run School Board member, Andrew Hoyler about transitioning to EV school buses and safe routes to schools. We will formally launch our hub meetings in September. If you're interested in joining this hub, please send an email to info@faithforclimate.org, and we'll get you connected! | | | | Join a Local Advocacy Hub! Stay connected with local news, meeting reminders, advocacy opportunities and action alerts, community wins, and more! | | | | | | FACS' Monthly Sustainability Tip Do you want to be a more ethical shopper? Limiting clothing purchases and shopping second hand at consignment stores is the way to go! Need to purchase something specific? Check out the Brand Directory on Good On You to find what companies are doing right by the planet, people, and animals. Use your purchasing power for good! | | | | | | Inspired to give beyond time and talent? Donate today and support FACS' work. | | | | | | | | | | Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
PO Box 2012 | Reston, Virginia 20195
703-239-3748 | info@faithforclimate.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
