Difference between revisions of "Threat of Global Warming"

Latest revision as of 04:08, 18 June 2008

In June 2004, UUA's General Assembly voted to study and act on the issue of Global Warming for two years, as part of the the Study Action Issue process. The description of the issue that was voted on is at Threat of Global Warming - 2004 Study/Action Issue. In 2006 the results of the study will lead to a proposal for a Statement of Conscience on the issue.

See the Global Warming Study/Action Issue Resource Guide for more information.

Use this page to keep track of what congregations are active, what successes and failures can be reported, etc.

Another popular term for the problem is "Global Climate Change", which reflects the great breadth of issues. For example, these include warming in many areas, cooling in some areas, precipitation changes and increases in violent weather, changes in ocean currents and ice patterns, all of which interact with ecosystems in profoundly complex ways.

This study-action issue was initiated at Mt. Diablo UU Church, Walnut Creek CA by Tony Newey, Art Ungar and others.

Input for SAI Resource Guide

Suggestions for Ministers

Make the connection between the environmental performance of a nation and it's policies, which are driven by the political process. Engage the congregation in the political process, in an appropriate way, which does not endanger the tax-exempt status of the congregation.
- Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations - A guide published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, which includes a section about "jeopardizing tax-exempt status" via "political campaign activity."

Sponsor community-oriented political candidate debates, focusing on environmental issues. Invite new party candidates, in addition to establishment party candidates. This may be a requirment to avoid partisan bias and protect the congregation's tax-exempt status; further, new party candidates may raise environmental issues to which all must then respond.

Network with community based environmental organizations and participate in joint actions.

Suggestions for Advocacy

Call the phenomenon "global climate change." Don't call it "global warming." "Warming" carries a positive connotation, which may be subconsciously favorable to many people (Think about palm trees, sandy beaches, and "warm" weather.)

Frame the issue of global climate change as an issue of national defense. Use this article from the Observer to show that the Pentagon believes global climate change is real and has the potential to seriously undermine the national security of the United States.

Think globally, act locally. Frame the issue of global climate change as an issue of social justice. Target larger local polluters, by showing their proximity to primarily minority and poor communities. These communities typically receive more pollution than other communities. Do your part, in your local community, by reducing pollution one company at a time.

Become familiar with the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, and learn how it is being implemented in your state. Exercise your congreation's federal right, under this act, to be represented on your Local Emergency Planning Committee; and ensure that emergency planning for toxic chemical releases, and environmental disclosure, is being handled properly in your community. Use this authority to target local polluters, and reduce pollution in your community.

Organizations

Global Greens - An international network of green parties and political movements.
Green Party of the United States - The political arm of the international Green Movement in the United States.
Green Sangha - A spiritual community committed to environmental action.

Charters/Protocols

Statements/Press Releases

Kerry, Bush Defer to Lobbies on Global Warming, Fossil Fuels - Green Party of the United States (10/25/04)
Climate Experts Urge Immediate Action to Offset Impact of Global Warming - American Association for the Advancement of Science (6/16/2004)
World Bank, Pentagon: global warming red alert: Weather of mass destruction bigger threat than terrorism - Greenpeace (2/22/04)

Books

None

Video

None

Speakers and Workshops

Congregational Action

Congregational Study Groups

None

Sermons and Service Ideas

Political Issues

How and why to evaluate the environmental positions of political candidates.

The impact of campaign finance issues on the environmental positions of political candidates.
- Open Secrets - A non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy.

The exclusion of new political party candidates from the debate, as a result of antidemocratic election laws, which limits competition in the politcal marketplace of ideas, and where many positions on environmental issues go unrepresented by candidates.
- Open Debates - 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to reforming the presidential debate process.
- Ballot Access News - Non-partisan newsletter reporting on the trials and tribulations of folks trying to put candidates on the ballot in the United States of America.

Individual Issues

Making environmental choices and living an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Organizational Issues

Environmentally friendly practices for businesses and nonprofits, including churches.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==Sharing about Congregational Finances & Fundraising==
+In June 2004, UUA's [[General Assembly]] voted to study and act on the issue of Global Warming for two years, as part of the the [http://www.uua.org/csw/ Study Action Issue] process.  The description of the issue that was voted on is at  [http://www.uua.org/actions/ecology/04global-warming.html Threat of Global Warming - 2004 Study/Action Issue].  In 2006 the results of the study will lead to a proposal for a [[Statement of Conscience]] on the issue.
-The [http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uu-money UU-Money email list] is for "Information Sharing among Society Finance Leaders".  This page goes beyond the limit of "finance leaders" to anyone in UU congregations who are concerned about finances and fundraising. If you have a resource to share, please add it here.
+See the [http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?list=type&type=90%20  Global Warming Study/Action Issue Resource Guide] for more information.
-===Reading List Recommendations===
+Use this page to keep track of what congregations are active, what successes and failures can be reported, etc.
-What financial/stewardship books would you recommend to your board of directors and/or church leaders?  View the [UU-Money Recommended Book List].
+Another popular term for the problem is "Global Climate Change", which reflects the great breadth of issues.  For example, these include warming in many areas, cooling in some areas, precipitation changes and increases in violent weather, changes in ocean currents and ice patterns, all of which interact with ecosystems in profoundly complex ways.
-===Online Pledging===
+This study-action issue was initiated at Mt. Diablo UU Church, Walnut Creek CA by Tony Newey, Art Ungar and others.
-To simplify the paperwork involved in pledging,
+----
-you can either just put a form on the web for printing out, or actually let people fill in an online form with the amount they expect to pledge for the year.  In the latter case, it would be a good idea to use a secure web site (enable SSL/TLS).
-Examples:
+==Input for SAI Resource Guide==
-* http://www.uuaa.org/online_pledging.htm
+===Suggestions for Ministers===
-* http://www.uueugene.org/finances/Canvass.html
-* http://www.uueugene.org/finances/PledgeCard.html
-* http://www.austinuupledge.org
-===Recommended Books===
+* Make the connection between the environmental performance of a nation and it's policies, which are driven by the political process.  Engage the congregation in the political process, in an appropriate way, which does not endanger the tax-exempt status of the congregation.
+** [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations] - A guide published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, which includes a section about "jeopardizing tax-exempt status" via "political campaign activity."
-A list of books recommended by other UU-money subscribers can be found online at [[UU-Money_Recommended_Book_List]]
+* Sponsor community-oriented political candidate debates, focusing on environmental issues.  Invite new party candidates, in addition to establishment party candidates.  This may be a requirment to avoid partisan bias and protect the congregation's tax-exempt status; further, new party candidates may raise environmental issues to which all must then respond.
-===Online Donation Services===
+* Network with community based environmental organizations and participate in joint actions.
-Which web donation services are you using? (Please answer all questions under the service you use or add a new one if yours is not listed there. Do not list Shopping Services that give donations here - you can start a new topic for that if you'd like.)
-====Tips for Using Online Services====
+===Suggestions for Advocacy===
-* Read your agreement
+* Call the phenomenon "global climate change."  Don't call it "global warming."  "Warming" carries a positive connotation, which may be subconsciously favorable to many people (Think about palm trees, sandy beaches, and "warm" weather.)
-* Check the policies about privacy and security
-* Make sure you will be notified by email of any transactions
-* Transfer any funds that you have received into your account as soon as possible
-* If you haven't received an email from them in a month's time, check the account to make sure there have been no transactions
-* Use credit cards that will not charge you if you report that your number was stolen (most charge $50 per transaction until you notify them of theft, but I find that many will waive that if it is "identity theft" - using your number without your permission or direct access to your card)
-* Use checking accounts from banks that will cover unauthorized use of your account and that don't have large sums of money in them if possible (you can set up a special account and then transfer the money to the usual account)
-* Always login from your website browser, and never from an email.  This will prevent you from "phishing" -- an online criminal tactic where fraudulent email is sent in an attempt to gain your account and password information.
-====NetworkforGood====
+* Frame the issue of global climate change as an issue of national defense.  Use [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1153513,00.html this] article from the Observer to show that the Pentagon believes global climate change is real and has the potential to seriously undermine the national security of the United States.
-* What are the benefits of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find good about it. E.g. Does it allow one-time, monthly, and annual donations? Does it allow more than one kind of fundraiser for your organization at one time? Does it allow a custom designed web page for your donation page? Is it quick and easy to sign-up?)
+* Think globally, act locally.  Frame the issue of global climate change as an issue of social justice.  Target larger local polluters, by showing their proximity to primarily minority and poor communities.  These communities typically receive more pollution than other communities.  Do your part, in your local community, by reducing pollution one company at a time.
-''Originally, NfG absorbed the credit card charges and passed 100% of the donation to the charity. When their dot.com funding ran out, they started charging 3%.''
+* Become familiar with the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, and learn how it is being implemented in your state.  Exercise your congreation's federal right, under this act, to be represented on your Local Emergency Planning Committee; and ensure that emergency planning for toxic chemical releases, and environmental disclosure, is being handled properly in your community.  Use this authority to target local polluters, and reduce pollution in your community.
-* What are the disadvantages of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find bad or annoying or not optimal about it. E.g. Does it only allow one type of donation? Does it take a long time to sign up?)
-''It's just another credit card donation service, no reason to use it rather than anyone else.''
+===Organizations===
-* What does it cost? As of what date? (This will need to be updated if changed.)
+* [http://globalgreens.info/ Global Greens] - An international network of green parties and political movements.
+* [http://www.gp.org/ Green Party of the United States] - The political arm of the international Green Movement in the United States.
+* [http://www.greensangha.org/ Green Sangha] - A spiritual community committed to environmental action.
-''Enter your answer here.'' I was just looking at this site and on brief examination, it appears to cost 3% of each transaction (to accept credit card payment). This appears to me in line with the cost of PayPal. [- Tom Upshaw]
-* Who uses it? How long? How many donations have you received from this service? Please give a link to your donation information on your web site.
+===Web Sites===
-''Enter your congregation or organization's information here.''
+* The [[Wikipedia:|Wikipedia]] articles on [[Wikipedia:Global warming|Global warming]] and [[Wikipedia:Climate change|Climate change]] present a broad variety of views.  They are part of the most widely read encyclopedia on the Internet, and we can help refine them with our insights.
+* [http://www.pewclimate.org/ Pew Center on Global Climate Change]
+* [http://www.exploratorium.edu/climate/ Global Climate Change: Research Explorer- The Exploratorium]
+* [http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/index.html EPA Global Warming site]
+* [http://www.unfccc.de/index.html United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]
+* [http://www.state.gov/g/oes/climate/ U.S. Global Climate Change Policy] - from the US Department of State
+* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/sci_tech/2000/climate_change/default.stm BBC on Global Climate Change]
-====Amazon.com Honor System====
-Link: [http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/subst/fx/home.html/ref=gw_hp_ls_1_9/104-5235824-4592733 Amazon.com Honor System]
-* What are the benefits of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find good about it. E.g. Does it allow one-time, monthly, and annual donations? Does it allow more than one kind of fundraiser for your organization at one time? Does it allow a custom designed web page for your donation page? Is it quick and easy to sign-up?)
-** Amazon.com is a trusted name, most UUs will have bought something from the site at one time or another. There are several point-n-click options to create what are called payboxes to place on your website as well as a paypage, which is a "landing page" that fully describes how the Amazon Honor System works and answers questions users might have.  Money is a one way deposit into your checking account, which reduces the chance of online fraud.
-* What are the disadvantages of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find bad or annoying or not optimal about it. E.g. Does it only allow one type of donation? Does it take a long time to sign up?)
+===Reports===
-**Not everyone is an Amazon.com customer. Some people really don't like Amazon, and will choose not to support them. Limited customer service.  Limited to U.S. customers only. You'll need to provide a credit card to register.  Not suitable for anything other than asking for donations or selling "digital content".
-**Amazon asks you to put a link on your page to an image served from their servers, in which they put a customized message.    This allows them to track visits by all users to your site (see [[Wikipedia:web bug]]).  If the person browsing has an Amazon "cookie" indicating that they are an Amazon customer, the message is personalized to them.  Both of these practices can be alarming to users, who may expect privacy when dealing with matters of religion.
-* What does it cost? As of what date? (This will need to be updated if changed.)
+* [http://www.thebreakthrough.org/images/Death_of_Environmentalism.pdf The Death of Environmentalism: Global Warming Politics in a Post Environmental World]
-**As of 08/04/04, the rates are 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.
+* [http://www.scorecard.org/ Scorecard] Pollution reports for your county, covering air, water, chemicals, and more.
-* Who uses it? How long? How many donations have you received from this service? Please give a link to your donation information on your web site.
-''Enter your congregation or organization's information here.''
+===Articles===
-====CharityWeb.net====
+* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13900-2004Jun3.html Bush, Kerry Chasing Oil Impossible Dream?: U.S. Dependence on Imports Likely to Continue, Some Energy Experts Say] - Washington Post (6/4/04)
+* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1153513,00.html Now the Pentagon tells Bush: climate change will destroy us] - The Observer (2/22/04)
-* What are the benefits of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find good about it. E.g. Does it allow one-time, monthly, and annual donations? Does it allow more than one kind of fundraiser for your organization at one time? Does it allow a custom designed web page for your donation page? Is it quick and easy to sign-up?)
-''Enter your answer here.''
+===Charters/Protocols===
-* What are the disadvantages of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find bad or annoying or not optimal about it. E.g. Does it only allow one type of donation? Does it take a long time to sign up?)
+* [http://www.earthcharter.org/files/charter/charter.pdf Earth Charter]
+* [http://www.europeangreens.org/info/globalgreencharter.html Global Green Charter]
+* [http://unfccc.int/essential_background/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php Kyoto Protocol]
-''Enter your answer here.''
-* What does it cost? As of what date? (This will need to be updated if changed.)
+===Statements/Press Releases===
-''Enter your answer here.''
+* [http://www.gp.org/press/pr_10_25_04.html Kerry, Bush Defer to Lobbies on Global Warming, Fossil Fuels] - Green Party of the United States (10/25/04)
+* [http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2004/0616climate.shtml Climate Experts Urge Immediate Action to Offset Impact of Global Warming] - American Association for the Advancement of Science (6/16/2004)
+* [http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/news/details?item_id=415878 World Bank, Pentagon: global warming red alert: Weather of mass destruction bigger threat than terrorism] - Greenpeace (2/22/04)
-* Who uses it? How long? How many donations have you received from this service? Please give a link to your donation information on your web site.
-''Enter your congregation or organization's information here.''
+===Books===
-====PayPal====
+* None
-* ''What are the benefits of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find good about it. E.g. Does it allow one-time, monthly, and annual donations? Does it allow more than one kind of fundraiser for your organization at one time? Does it allow a custom designed web page for your donation page? Is it quick and easy to sign-up?)''
-**Many people have used PayPal as individuals and small businesses for years with no problem.
-**Pay Pal Security Links
-***[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_security-center-outside Here is a link for Pay Pal Security information]
-***[http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_efunds-outside Here is the link for the Pay Pal User Agreement about how they handle Error Resolution]
-** PayPal is owned by Ebay, which has increased customer service, services, and options since they bought the company.
-** PayPal can be used as part of a full ecommerce solution, more than just donations or pledges.
-** PayPal pages can be integrated to match the look and feel of your site.
-** There are options for recurring billing on a monthly basis, i.e. pledges.
-* ''What are the disadvantages of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find bad or annoying or not optimal about it. E.g. Does it only allow one type of donation? Does it take a long time to sign up?)''
+===Video===
-**Some paypal users like Abiword have complained that they lost a bunch of money that people donated to them because someone stole it and paypal did not insure the loss (not being a "financial institution" or something like that) [http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/10/27/042226&mode=nested&tid=98].  Most observers recommend that you withdraw money donated to you on a regular basis rather than leaving it at paypal as if it was a bank. See also [http://www.paypalsucks.com/ paypalsucks.com].  There is a class action suit for which PayPal is paying, though it claims no responsibility. You can see details about it at [https://www.paypal.com/settlement/ https://www.paypal.com/settlement/].  Individual comments about this can be left on the "discussion" page (click on the tab at the top of the page).
-** As an anti-fraud measure, PayPal limits withdrawals to $500 per month when you first open an account.  This limit can be removed when you verify your identity with 2 out of the 3 following items: a credit card, a bank account, and a social security number. We did not have a credit card, and they would not accept an employer identification number in lieu of an SSN.  One of our employees had to submit their SSN for verification.
-* ''What does it cost? As of what date? (This will need to be updated if changed.)''
+* None
-** As of 08/04/04, the standard charge is 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.  There are discounts based upon monthly volume : 3,001 to 10,000 is 2.5%; 10,001 to 100,000 is 2.2%, and a monthly volume over $100,000 drops the rate to 1.9%.  The discounted rates all have the baseline of 30 cents per transaction.
-* ''Who uses it? How long? How many donations have you received from this service? Please give a link to your donation information on your web site.''
-** The First UU Church of Austin uses PayPal to [http://www.austinuu.org/donations.htm solicit online donations] to support our web ministries. We are averaging about $50 to $100 a year through PayPal donations, and approximately $400 to $500 per year from people who choose to write a check instead. We also use the site [http://www.mollyguard.com Mollyguard.com] to manage event registrations, and have processed approximately a thousand dollars through the combination of these two services.
+===Speakers and Workshops===
-====thedatabank.com====
-* What are the benefits of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find good about it. E.g. Does it allow one-time, monthly, and annual donations? Does it allow more than one kind of fundraiser for your organization at one time? Does it allow a custom designed web page for your donation page? Is it quick and easy to sign-up?)
+==Congregational Action==
-''Enter your answer here.''
+===Congregational Study Groups===
-* What are the disadvantages of this service over others? (If you don't know, describe what you find bad or annoying or not optimal about it. E.g. Does it only allow one type of donation? Does it take a long time to sign up?)
+* None
-''Enter your answer here.''
-* What does it cost? As of what date? (This will need to be updated if changed.)
+===Sermons and Service Ideas===
-''Enter your answer here.''
+====Political Issues====
-* Who uses it? How long? How many donations have you received from this service? Please give a link to your donation information on your web site.
+* How and why to evaluate the environmental positions of political candidates.
-''Enter your congregation or organization's information here.''
+* The impact of campaign finance issues on the environmental positions of political candidates.
+** [http://www.opensecrets.org/ Open Secrets] - A non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy.
+* The exclusion of new political party candidates from the debate, as a result of antidemocratic election laws, which limits competition in the politcal marketplace of ideas, and where many positions on environmental issues go unrepresented by candidates.
+** [http://www.opendebates.org/ Open Debates] - 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to reforming the presidential debate process.
+** [http://www.ballot-access.org/ Ballot Access News] - Non-partisan newsletter reporting on the trials and tribulations of folks trying to put candidates on the ballot in the United States of America.
-===Fundraising Ideas===
+====Individual Issues====
-Besides asking for pledges and contributions, how do you raise funds for your congregation or UU organization or program? Please include details, how much time was spent and how much money was raised, along with the name of your congregations or organization and program, if applicable.
+* Making environmental choices and living an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
-"Enter your successful fundraising details here"
+====Organizational Issues====
-==== Service Auctions ====
+* Environmentally friendly practices for businesses and nonprofits, including churches.
-Members offer services. Other members bid on them.
-===== How to Organize them? =====
-Service auctions require a lot of data processing: donations described and printed in a catalog; logs printed for silent auction items; bidders entered; bids entered during the auction; summaries of purchases printed for buyers; thank you notes printed for donors; summary reports; and so on. The [http://www.meminfo.com MemInfo]data system provides a complete facility for running an auction, making the process easier and more efficient. Bids during a live auction can be entered into one or more computers on a network, so that invoices for bidders are available at the close of bidding. Because it is linked to the database of members and friends, the information such as addresses and phone numbers does not have to be re-entered. A free demonstration version is available at www.meminfo.com.
-Having an computer based system permits bidders to bid individually on items. For example, a dinner offered for eight persons might be purchased by three couples and two individuals. It is quite easy during a live verbal auction to adjust the bid price to a point where the number of bids equals the units available in the item.
-===== What Are Popular Services? =====
-* Dinners; Chinese, German, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Vegan. This requires some fancy footwork in the bidding department, so that the 8th-highest bidder doesn't pay $50 for a seat at the dinner for 8, while the highest pay $80 for the same dinner. We usually say "How many will pay $20 per person for this dinner? $30? $ 40? Bidding stops when there are fewer than 8 people willing to pay the bid.
-* Wine Tasting parties (Designate a driver).
-* 2, 4, 8 hours of baby sitting (Teens can contribute to their church.)
-* 2, 4, 8 hours of professional services, if a member is a CPA, gardener, carpenter, plumber, mechanic, electrician . . . .
-* 10 Hours of research by a competent amateur genealogist with a subscription to census images.
-* A day on a sailboat.
-* A day on a motorcycle.
-* Tennis, Golf, Horseback Riding or Poker lessons.
-* Weekend at a cabin in the mountains.
-* Helping someone write a song and record it.
-* Two hours air time on a web radio station.
-* A dedicated parking spot (close to the door) at church for a year.
-* The right to pick one sermon topic for the Minister to deliver. (Not write the sermon - pick a topic you'd like to hear, then the minister writes and delivers the sermon.)
-* A ban on your least-favorite hymn until next year. (Guaranteed to annoy someone else, so be careful. The hymn you detest is someone else's cherished favorite.)
-* Individual hours of on-site computer help.  This has only become popular in the last 5 years or so.
-===Split the Plate===
-Several congregations have policies which share collection plate money with non-profit organizations.  Here is a collection of sample policies and recommendations.
-*Sample Policy: First UU Church of [[Austin Split the Plate]]
-*UU World Article: [http://www.uuworld.org/2003/04/conglife.html Sharing the plate increases giving.]