RABBI NORMAN T. ROMAN, IMAM ACHMAT SALIE AND THE REV. CHARLES MORRIS

The Detroit News , Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Correspondent : Faith and Policy: Will state's energy plans pay off? People of faith support plans for new jobs, industry
Climate change is a daunting issue that typically evokes feelings of loss, hardship and unfairness. If the truth be known, addressing it is one of those rare opportunities for people of faith -- as well as all other citizens -- to do what's right for the environment and the economy.

Why should people of faith care about climate change?

It's the economy, of course.

That message may be surprising to hear from a group of faith leaders, but right now, given the state of the Michigan economy, the most prudent policy to follow in resurrecting the state's manufacturing sector is to invest in a clean energy economy that protects creation. It is also the moral thing to do.

Scriptures and other religious documents provide moral instructions on behalf of addressing climate change.

Specific teachings of each religion vary, yet they all offer a compelling message: our shared obligation to protect and renew God's creation.

Our polluted and troubled world is crying for our help. The responsibility to act and act wisely is a calling people of faith can no longer ignore.

Individually, each of us can be a part of the solution. Congress also needs to be a part of the solution. Passing a national climate and energy bill that puts a cap on carbon pollution will help steer new investments into our struggling manufacturing sector, still reeling from the more than 200,000 jobs shed since the last century.

The first step toward revitalizing our industry is investments in energy efficiency, the cheapest and cleanest source of power. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy projects that if the electricity consumed in Michigan was reduced by 15 percent over the next decade and natural gas consumption was reduced by 10 percent each household in the Michigan would save an average of $560 in 2020. By that same date, 4,200 jobs would be created with this single policy for protecting our climate and being good energy stewards.

We already have some Michigan success stories:

A mothballed former Ford auto plant in Wixom is planning to hire 4,000 people to produce solar photovoltaic panels and new green batteries to serve the electric utility market.

General Electric is investing $100 million into a 1,000-employee research and development and manufacturing plant for wind turbines just outside Detroit.

All told, the nonprofit Center for Climate Strategies estimates that, if implemented, technologies and practices developed to respond to climate change would create 129,000 jobs, provide a $25 billion net gain in the gross state product and lower energy prices for average citizens by 2025.

People of faith have the moral responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth and can no longer be silent and hesitant to speak out. The time to ask Congress to act forcefully on federal climate legislation is now. This action will then provide a platform for the United States to get other nations to follow through on the nonbinding agreements made in Copenhagen. The world is looking to the United States for leadership.

The best hope for civilization right now is that people of faith stand up and ask that their elected representatives consider the economic, environmental and moral case for action on climate change -- and act accordingly.

Rabbi Norman T. Roman is with Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield; Imam Achmat Salie is with the American Muslim Diversity Association in Sterling Heights; and the Rev. Charles Morris is with St. Elizabeth and St. Patrick parishes in Wyandotte.

 
SOURCE : http://www.detnews.com/article/20100518/OPINION01/5180320/1008/OPINION01/Faith-and-Policy--Will-state-s-energy-plans-pay-off
 


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