November 22, 2009
Green Faith Alliance was featured in the "Clean & Green" segment on Fox 16's "Talk Business with Roby Brock," and the feature was broadcast the next day on the local NPR radio station. See the clip at www.talkbusiness.net
September 10, 2009
Scharmel Roussel encourages Crossett Rotary Club to Go Green: http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/articles/2009/09/27/news/h0092a003n.txt
August 8, 2009
Green Faith Alliance of Arkansas earns Conservation Organization of the Year Award from the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. See our "Photo Gallery" for a picture of Leo Hauser, Scharmel Roussel, Rev. Vic Nixon, Rev. Steve Copley accepting the award from Wayne Shewmake, AWF President.
July 23, 2009 Conference
Moving people from awareness to action was the message of “A Faithful Response to Global Warming,” July 23 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Springdale. United Methodists in Northwest Arkansas and Central Arkansas, along with representatives of other churches and organizations, attended the conference, sponsored by the National Council of Churches, Repower Arkansas and the Arkansas Climate Campaign Coalition.
Ellen McNulty from Arkansas Wildlife Federation organized the event and welcomed the participants. Dr. Robert McAfee, representing Repower Arkansas, used slides, charts, graphs and photographs to demonstrate the relationship between rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and rising global temperatures. Eddy Moore from Arkansas Audubon described energy efficiency legislation and explained why a message from the faith community to Senators Lincoln and Pryor is critical at this time.
“In the national debate, Arkansas is important,” Moore said. “A few Senate votes will make or break this bill. Arkansas has two Senators on the fence. Every state has two Senators, regardless of its population. In a low-population state like Arkansas, each of us can be amazingly effective when we express our opinions.”
States are rated one to five for solar capacity. According to Moore, Arizona would be a five, and Arkansas would be a strong four.
The group discussed the formation of an Arkansas Chapter of Interfaith Power and Light. Arkansas IPL could be based on the 240-member Green Faith Alliance of Arkansas, which has been meeting for more than a year. Twenty-nine states currently have IPL chapters that fight global warming.
Those in attendance received a handout on the “Myths and Opportunities of Climate Change Legislation.” According to the handout, state residents are hearing the following myths: Arkansas is a coal-dependent state that will get hit hard by higher energy prices. Other states make money off renewable energy resources that Arkansas does not have. Higher utility prices will especially hurt poor families.
Instead, the handout claimed the following realities: Arkansas is slightly below average in its dependence on coal , because Arkansas has a high level of carbon-free nuclear power (from the Russellville plant). Prices on electricity and other energy sources will rise even if no climate legislation passes, partly because an old infrastructure is due for replacements and upgrades that will cost billions of dollars. By using various forms of efficiency, rising costs can be reduced. Arkansas has a modest wind potential and biomass energy potential in the forms of wood and chicken waste.
Most of the state’s energy comes from Wyoming (coal), Texas (natural gas), and the rest of the world (oil). The House-based climate bill includes rebates to assist low-income families; Arkansas low-income families would disproportionately benefit, thereby helping the state’s economy. Employing people to retrofit buildings for efficiency would boost the Arkansas economy.
Strengthening the Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Standard in the Senate’s version of the legislative package would create a market for job growth in energy efficiency industries in Arkansas, according to the handout. Including a strong cap-and-trade component and limiting carbon emissions will guarantee progress in climate protection. Auctioning carbon credits will fund legislative provisions that will benefit low-income families in Arkansas.
Rev. Pamela Morgan from St. Thomas closed the meeting with prayer.