Join the FACS Board of Directors

FACS is seeking new board members! Individuals from a diversity of faith traditions and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to apply. FACS has always been committed to inclusivity, with our founding principle to bring people of different faiths and backgrounds together in pursuit of climate justice.  At this time we are expanding our board with two new members, which will allow us to make room for even broader representation. If you or someone you know would like to join our leadership team, please apply for board membership. Access the board application and materials here. Apply by July 27th! 

Advocacy

2020-21 Advocacy Priorities

The results of the Advocacy Teams survey of potential state and county issues for 2020-21 are in!  With all 12 issues receiving high and very high interest responses, the Team Leaders and Issue Leads had a tough decision on their hands. Read the final 2020-21 FACS Advocacy Priorities.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Environment Committee Update

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Environment Committee (BOSEC) met on June 16 with a full agenda. Review meeting materials and presentations here. Among the topics covered was an update on the Fairfax Green Initiatives, a presentation of a proposed Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan (CARP), and updates to the Sustainable Development Policy.

Proposed Policy Updates to the Sustainable Development Policy include strengthening sustainability goals such that all County building projects over 10,000 SF will, at a minimum:

• Achieve LEED Gold Certification
• Include solar and EV readiness
• Provide an on-site renewable energy generation component, as practicable, with off-site renewable energy generation as a supplement
• Achieve a minimum 30% energy performance improvement for new construction, and a 25% energy performance improvement for major renovations
• Achieve a reduction in GHG emissions of 32% for new construction, and 24% for major renovation.

FACS supports approval of the $1,000,000 earmarked in the Carryover Budget for development of the CARP. Resiliency planning is comprehensive and requires additional staff and consultants. With this funding, the County can cut costs by riding the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's contract, which will allow the plan to be completed and presented to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) in June 2022. Otherwise it will be at least 2024 before that would happen as the County would need to find its own consultant, resulting in additional costs more and planning delays.The carryover budget will be presented to the BOS on July 28 and voted September 29th. A public hearing on the carryover budget will also occur on September 29th at 10:30 a.m. If you are interested in testifying, please let us know by sending an email to info@faithforclimate.org 

FACS Testifies at Hearing on VA Building Codes

Faith-based Climate Advocacy Teams - Arlington and Alexandria

On June 30th over 60 people gathered to discuss forming faith-based advocacy teams for Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, based on the FACS Advocacy model of local organizing in Fairfax County. Interested in learning more? Contact us! 

Calendar

Multifaith Online Solar Workshop for Northern Virginia

Tuesday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m.

Go solar at home ... in good company! Join Solar United Neighbors, Interfaith Power & Light, the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, and area congregations for this interactive, multi-faith workshop about solar energy and its benefits for your home or small business. We will learn about solar technology, financing, and why it matters to people of faith.  This will be a live, interactive presentation, so bring your questions! Consider joining Northern Virginia neighbors in a solar panel and EV charger purchasing group: bit.ly/solarnova Learn more and register.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee

Tuesday, July 21st at 11:00 a.m.

The Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. on July 21, 2020, at the Fairfax County Government Center (Conference Room 11).  All committee meetings in Conference Room 11 are televised on Channel 16, streamed live online and available to view on demand following the meeting. Information.

FACS shares many community and partner events on our Facebook page. 

Faith in Action

Climate and Racial Justice

Board members Don Craig and Pastor Sarah Scherschligt recently presented on the topic of Climate Justice for the Leadership Academy of the Metro DC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  

Their main point was that climate change and racial justice work go hand-in-hand. Overall, people of color have not participated in the wealth generated by the oil-based economy, yet the devastating results of climate change most profoundly affect them. Also, because of systemic racism in the United States, people of color often have fewer resources (time, money, energy) to work on climate change, even though they are more concerned about it that white people. 

FACS is committed to racial justice as an integral part of the solutions to climate change. You can view their hour-long presentation and slides here.

Volunteer with FACS

Have you found that you have extra time on your hands lately? Or would like to contribute to FACS' mission? Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about any of the following opportunities:

• Finance/Accounting: Income and Donor Manager. Perfect opportunity for a faith community to make an in-kind contribution to FACS.

• Fund Development: We are recruiting Fund Development Committee members with experience with Large Donor Programs, Corporate Partnerships, and Grant Writing.
• FACS Ambassador: If you love working with green teams, this role is for you! Read about the position.

Words of Faith on Climate

From the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change

3.6 Finally, we call on all Muslims wherever they may be –
{list} to tackle habits, mindsets, and the root causes of climate change, environmental degradation, and the loss of biodiversity in their particular spheres of influence, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him),and bring about a resolution to the challenges that now face us..

Read the full declaration and learn more.

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