Reverend Robert Woody, parish priest at the Episcopal Church of Reconciliation in San Antonio calls on people of faith to support a strong Energy Bill. Read his comments printed in the San Antonio Express News Monday.

Comment: Don't stay silent on global warming

Web Posted: 12/11/2007 06:40 PM CST

Rev. Robert Woody

People of faith, across Texas and around the world, are increasingly of one mind about global warming.

No matter the faith, we each heed the call to be stewards of God's creation and to protect the poor and weak among us. We recognize the moral and spiritual implications of global warming and cannot stay silent.

My congregation and many others in San Antonio are increasing our efforts to educate our members on the moral and spiritual implications of climate change caused by wasteful human consumption, to suggest practical "green" alternatives and to offer opportunities to exert political pressure on policy makers to steer us in a better direction. We are collaborating with other faith communities in these efforts by participating in faith advocacy groups like Texas Impact and Texas Interfaith Power & Light.

The U.S. Congress is considering which provisions to include in what could be landmark energy legislation. By establishing a renewable electricity standard of 15 percent and a 35-mile- per-gallon fuel economy standard for vehicles, we can begin to break our nation's oil dependence, reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and save families money on their utility bills.

Passing a 35-mpg fuel economy standard by the year 2020 would cut our imports of Persian Gulf oil by half, save 1.2 million barrels of oil a day and reduce 206 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. It would also save drivers more than $25 billion a year at the gas pump.

Scientists estimate that a 15-percent renewable electricity standard would result in global warming pollution reductions that are equivalent to taking up to 21 million cars off the road. It would also be a boon for poor families, cutting electricity and natural gas bills by up to $18 billion by 2020.

In addition to the environmental benefits, Texas stands to gain economically if Congress pushes renewable energy generation.

Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy source, and Texas is expected to receive two thirds of the predicted wind energy generation growth in coming years.

Scientists warn that as the world gets warmer, related weather events will become even more extreme.

Initially, the wealthy may be able to adapt to the consequences of a warming world. Indeed, many in our nation's capital feel we need not act because, as the wealthiest country in the world, we will not be as affected as others by the ensuing lack of clean water, food, the rising sea levels and rising heat.

But as Katrina victims can attest, the poor, the elderly and those least able to protect themselves here and around the world will not be able to withstand the effects.

People of faith cannot ignore the impact of global warming on our most vulnerable neighbors. We must speak truth to power, even when deception or complacency is easier or more popular. We must overcome differences and work together for the sake of the most vulnerable, our planet and future generations, even as forces work to pull us apart.

It is for these reasons that we ask people of faith in Texas to call on our leaders to serve their people, their office and their God by passing an energy bill that includes a renewable electricity standard of 15 percent by the year 2020 and a fuel economy standard of 35 mpg by the year 2020.