New federal safeguards to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants are necessary not just because they help the environment, but because they are the right and moral thing to do, Iowa faith leaders say.
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light supports the Clean Power Plan released Monday, Aug. 3, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which calls for reducing carbon pollution from existing power plants by 32 percent by 2030.
Bishop Richard E. Pates of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines said the measures in the plan will take steps toward safeguarding the planet for the common good, as called for in Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment.
“Pope Francis calls us to work together to take action to protect God’s creation and those who are most vulnerable to climate impacts,” he said. “The Clean Power Plan is one step in curbing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.”
The Clean Power Plan calls on states to reduce carbon emissions from power plants—which account for 40 percent of national carbon emissions—and to increase reliance on alternate, cleaner sources of power, such as wind and solar, steps Iowa is already taking. More than 7,000 people in Iowa have jobs related to the wind industry and jobs in the solar industry are also on the rise.
“In Iowa, we are blessed with abundant clean sources of energy like the wind and the sun,” said the Rev. Susan Guy, Executive Director of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light. “The Clean Power Plan will not only reduce the amount of harmful carbon pollution that is being emitted, but also serve to further drive innovation in clean energy that will be good for jobs and rural economies in our state.”
Carbon dioxide emissions have been a major driver in global climate change. Current impacts include severe storms, deadly heat waves, drought, flooding and wildfires. Carbon pollution is also related to health problems such as respiratory ailments. Iowa Interfaith Power & Light board member Daishin McCabe of Ames said the actions the plan proposes can help restore the health of the planet and its people.
“Reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants is equivalent to increasing the oxygen content in the lungs of someone trying to quit smoking,” said McCabe, a Buddhist monk, who teaches and speaks about Buddhism.
Leaders of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, a non-profit organization which works with all faith traditions to seek solutions to climate change, say the nation has a moral responsibility to reduce carbon pollution, since the U.S. produces more and has a greater ability to limit emissions and can help lead a global effort for reductions.
In addition, climate change significantly exacerbates issues on which congregations and faith communities are already working: issues like hunger, clean water, disaster relief, refugee services, and conflict resolution.
“Faith leaders need to connect the dots between climate change and its impacts and advocate for meaningful solutions,” Guy said. “Limiting carbon pollution from power plants is a key part of that solution. We call upon people of faith to provide leadership on this issue and act in the interest of the common good.”
About Iowa Interfaith Power & Light
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light works with all faith traditions to protect the Earth and safeguard society’s most vulnerable by providing education about climate change and its impacts, assisting individuals and congregations with carbon footprint reductions, and advocating for climate and clean energy policies at all levels of government.