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
Texas Springtime Weather Roundup: Extreme Heat
Memorial weekend saw extreme heat across a large portion of the State of Texas. My family was scheduled to go camping and hiking Sunday and Monday at Enchanted Rock. We chose Memorial Day weekend for the outing because that is early enough in the summer that our...
Texas Springtime Weather Roundup: Statewide Severe Weather
Springtime is severe weather in Texas, so it is not unusual to see thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes this time of year. What has been unusual is the frequency and severity of the severe weather. A brief survey of the storm reports for Texas available at the National...
El Niño, Climate Change Pose Complex Array of Climate Risks Around the World
In the US we often hear the meteorological term “El Niño” when a broadcast meteorologist is talking about unsettled weather like thunderstorms, squall lines, and tornadoes. It’s true, in the southwestern US, El Niño years tend to be wetter and stormier than they are...
Energy Efficiency Presents Opportunity for Grid Stability
Severe thunderstorms slammed into Houston Thursday evening bringing winds upwards of hurricane force over a large section of densely populated Harris County. The storms knocked down trees and crumpled electrical utility towers, knocking out power for 40% of residents....
International Religious Freedom: Fighting for the Common Good
Guest blog post by Rev. Mel Caraway and Rev. Phil DiekeWe had a great meeting today with a delegation from Tajikistan on "International Religious Freedom." Their visit was sponsored by the Department of State and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. ...
Action through Connection: Finding Hope through Nature
Living in Texas has heightened one of my family’s hobbies in my life: birdwatching. Birdwatching used to be something we would do in my family when sitting down with my grandparents after church. We would chat and look at the chickadees and barn swallows grazing. Now...
UMC General Conference, Creation Care, and COP
As I write this the General Conference of the United Methodist Church is underway in Charlotte, North Carolina. General Conference is the gathering of United Methodist delegates and episcopal leadership from around the world. The gathering normally takes place every...
787 EcoFaith Dialogue, Listening and Action
This last summer was my first full summer in Texas, and as many of you know it was a doozy. While we were living about 80 days of torturous 100-degree weather and sunny-sided seasonal depression, I couldn’t help but listen to all the Texans around me telling me it had...
Texas Impact Staff Attend South Central Climate Resilience Forum
When you are working on something as challenging as climate change advocacy, it is important to find things to give you hope. That was the message Katharine Hayhoe gave us as the keynote speaker of the South Central Climate Resilience Forum, a gathering of scientists,...
Texas Impact Climate Action Team
Have you ever wondered why last summer was so much hotter than the summers you remember as a child? Have you tried to strike up a conversation about PUC rulemaking with your hairdresser/mechanic/neighbor but been disappointed they didn’t want to talk about it as much...