Climate/Carbon Neutrality
Energy Audit
Resolved,
that the Diocese of Vermont at its 175th Convention
calls upon each of its parishes to conduct an in-house environmental
audit of its energy use, consumption patterns, and plant use management
and,
Resolved,
that each parish be prepared to report by the 177th convention
on its audit and its plan to address deficits in its local environmental
stewardship, including a report of its comprehensive energy use.
Explanation:
2006
General Convention Resolution C018, Environmental Stewardship,
reaffirmed Resolution
1991-A195 that declares "that Christian Stewardship of
God's created environment, in harmony with our respect for human
dignity, requires response from the Church of the highest urgency."
2006-C018 also reaffirms 2000-A048 that "encourag[es] all
members, congregations, dioceses, and other church institutions
to use environmentally safe and sustainable energy sources."
2006-C018 encourages all members, dioceses, congregations and
other institutions to partner with Interfaith Power and Light,
and to show respect for creation by "reducing energy use
through conservation and increased efficiency, and by replacing
consumption of fossil fuels with energy from renewable resources."
Congregations are urged to join Vermont
Interfaith Power & Light, which promotes energy conservation,
energy efficiency and renewable energy, and conducts energy audits
for congregations. One way to reduce emissions that has proven
to be successful is to work together in groups called "EcoTeams"
of five to eight households using a workbook called "Low
Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds." A leader
from Vermont Interfaith Power & Light visits a congregation
and gives an introduction to the workbook and helps organize EcoTeams.
The Diocese of Massachusetts has passed
a like resolution. The religious community must do its part to
increase its efforts to address global warming.
The Diocese of Vermont needs every congregation in this effort
as the resolution requests. The goal of the diocese and its parishes
is to have every congregation reduce its energy consumption and
its greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, as soon as possible.
Ultimately, together, we can set and meet a goal to achieve carbon
(or climate) neutrality, a day when we will consume no fossil
fuels.
There are practical steps that each
congregation can take to achieve this objective.
- Go to www.vtipl.org
and click on their "Taking Action" page, and follow
"Ten Steps Vermonters Can Do To Stop Global Warming."
On their links page, there are also useful organizations.
- Contact Efficiency
Vermont for an energy audit to show you how worthwhile it
is to insulate and to seal windows, doors, and hatches.
- A checklist as well as contact information
will be available on the diocesan website.
Undertaking an energy audit will entail
some upfront costs. Small grants will be available from the McClure
Discovery 2000 or Irish grant funds.
To be submitted by:
The Rev'd Anita Schell-Lambert and the
Delegation from Saint Peter's, Bennington; The Rev'd Canon Lee
Alison Crawford and the Delegation from Saint Mary's, Northfield;
The Rev'd Canon Diane Root and the Delegation from Church of Our
Saviour, Killington
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