Local climate solutions powered by faith communities

 

FACS Leadership

FACS is Hiring!

We're seeking an Executive Director who shares our passion for the earth and all living things. Learn more about the position and how to apply. Please share with your networks and note that the deadline to apply is Friday, July 23.

Board Nominations

Don’t forget that the deadline to nominate a Board member is Friday, July 23! We welcome candidates across Northern Virginia representing a variety of faith traditions, professional experience, ages, genders, and ethnicities. Individuals with a strong background in finance and/or fund development are highly encouraged to apply. Above all, we seek candidates passionate about climate action and mobilizing the faith community to implement local solutions to the climate crisis. Learn more about the nominating and election processes/schedules and nominate a candidate.

 

Strategic Plan

The Board recently adopted a 2021-24 strategic plan that will be unveiled to the public this summer. We'll share more in-depth insights into our values and goals, but here's a quick overview in the meantime:

  • Vision: Environmentally sustainable communities grounded in justice.
  • Mission: Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions organizes the power of Virginia's faith communities to advance local solutions to the urgent moral challenge of climate change.
  • Snapshot of Goals: Advocate for local climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency; expand and deepen faith community involvement in FACS' work; strengthen FACS' impact by helping faith communities build local hubs;  and expand FACS' reach.
 

2021-22 Advocacy Priorities

For the coming year, we’ve grouped our advocacy priorities into three focus areas. Our subject matter experts have written issue papers that address some of these topics. Establishing these three buckets will allow us to be nimble as we advocate in an every changing landscape. Look for more issue papers to come.

Smart Growth

This priority area embraces all issues related to development, including land use, tree canopy, transportation and building a more equitable community.

Reducing the Waste Stream

This priority area continues our focus on advocating for Zero Waste. It includes a county-wide resolution and plan, as well as linkages to food waste and food insecurity, elimination of single-use plastics, composting, recycling, and waste disposal.

Energy and Justice

These priorities build on our work from past years related to increased adoption of renewable energy, net zero schools, energy efficiency, building codes, and reducing the energy burdens in low- and middle-income communities. 

 

#ZerosAreHeroes

Congratulations to our #ZerosAreHeroes design contest winner, Scott Engdahl!

Scott took these photos to document his parish, St.. Anthony of Padua in Falls Church, going solar. 

We love the different angles of the panels centered around the source of light and energy (the sun!), and of course we always love green trees in a photo. 

Thank you for sharing your photographs, Scott, and for inspiring others through your art!

 

Events

Thank you for tuning into our 4th Annual Sustainability Champions Awards! If you missed the ceremony or want to rewatch/share it with others, visit FaithForClimate.org/SustainabilityChampions.

The Need for Immediate Climate Action

In late June, the UN's Climate Science Advisory Panel outlined dire climate impacts on our planet, ecosystems, and fellow human beings. We already know what is impacted by climate change: public health, global food systems, vulnerable communities and species, coastal cities, and more. One degree Celsius might not seem like much, but we're already seeing devastating impacts from rising temperatures -- and we need to act before the change become irreversible. 

 

Please consider supporting FACS with your time, talent, and treasure. Help us voice the collective concern of the faith community and inspire others to act so that we can protect our future and our home.

 
 

Local Social Justice

The Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA) has recently launched a Northern Virginia Eviction Prevention & Rental Assistance Dashboard to help reach households who are at risk of displacement and connect them to assistance/resources. Of note, people of color faced a disproportionate risk of eviction prior to the pandemic and are more likely to have experienced housing instability during the pandemic (due to income disparities, lower savings, and housing cost-burden). Learn more about the dashboard and view it.

 

Hub Updates

Fairfax County

The next Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee (BOSEC) meeting will take place Tuesday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Materials will be posted here and the meeting can be viewed on Channel 16 or streamed online.

Prince William County

The next Prince William County (PWC) hub meeting is Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m.

Alexandria

After hearing the climate concerns of the public, including FACS members, local officials voted to create a new sustainable regional transportation plan that commits to climate action. Thanks to all of you who submitted comments!

The next Alexandria (ALX) hub meeting is Tuesday, July 27 at 7 p.m.

Arlington County

Visit the Arlington blog to learn about recent hub updates.

Montgomery County

Visit the Montgomery County blog to learn about recent hub updates.

Join an Advocacy Team

Join a hub and stay connected with local news, meeting reminders, advocacy opportunities and action alerts, community wins, and more!

 
 
 

Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
PO Box 2012  | Reston, Virginia 20195
703-239-3748 | info@faithforclimate.org

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