Texas Climate & Energy
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas is the largest energy-producing and energy-consuming state in the nation. Texas produces more electricity than any other state, generating almost twice as much as Florida, the second-highest electricity-producing state. Thus, Texas has a disproportionate impact on the ability of the U.S. and the global community to mitigate climate change. Texas also can be an energy justice leader, ensuring that energy production doesn’t harm vulnerable communities, and energy is available even to the marginalized.
Light and Life
Using the Public Utility Commission of Texas Sunset Review to Safeguard Texans’ Health and Wellbeing
The upcoming 2022-2023 Sunset review of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, offers a unique opportunity for Texas lawmakers to advance public health in the Lone Star State.
NEWS + LATEST UPDATES
#TogetherForImplementation
Special contribution by Rev. Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director, North Carolina Council of Churches The theme of COP 27 is #TogetherForImplementation. Of the many years of global meetings that have taken place since the 2015 Paris Agreement, this...
Time & Treasure: Faith-Based Disaster Response
When disaster strikes, faith communities respond. From local congregations to global institutions, organizations grounded in all the major faith traditions participate in disaster response and recovery. Increasingly, they also engage in disaster preparedness...
Statement on EPA Proposed Supplemental Methane Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced its latest regulatory proposal to reduce substantially oil and gas methane pollution. The new draft builds on and strengthens the agency’s initial proposal released last November. Texas Impact Executive Director...
Coffee, Tea, and Peace
During the first week of COP27, I participated in a briefing with US State Department negotiators; attended a speech by President Biden; and interviewed colleagues from US faith communities. More than once, I caught myself wondering, “couldn’t we have just done this...
Fossils
While representatives of national governments are parsing diplomatic language in meeting rooms at the climate negotiations, outside the rooms advocates from “civil society” use every strategy they can think of to advance their issues and get negotiators’ attention....
COP Day 3: Loss & Damages
With another day at COP done, I can feel myself orienting to the space and rhythm of the conference. Don’t get me wrong, COP is still chaotic and overwhelming, however, knowing where all of the bathrooms and coffee stops are really improves morale. I’ve arrived back...
Local Funds, Global Fights
Today at COP was a study in contrast between international policy negotiation and the implementation work of local communities. The US is squarely in the middle of both conversations, a fact US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry highlighted in his morning talk at the...
COP27 Day 2: Stresses and Successes
After days of preliminary meetings and logistics, this Monday we finally started our dive into the Blue Zone (the designated section of COP for meetings and events). Needless to say, it was a lot. There are dozens of rooms with different delegations, debriefings and...
COP27 Initial Thoughts: Migration, Hope and Sleep Deprivation
After over 48 hours of plane, cars and so much sitting in airports, I finally arrived in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt early Saturday morning, greasy, sleep deprived and ready to be thrown into the hectic world that is COP27. Though climate policy has...
Encountering Beloved Community in the Desert
We arrived in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, for this year’s United Nations climate negotiations after two days of travel, and we were immediately in the midst of global community: friends from around the world, diplomats and policy experts, and the people of the local...