Religious community supports million solar roofs [Rabbi Zoe Klein & Rev. Sally Bingham OP ED]

source: Pasadena Starnews 2005.7.30 Rabbi Zoe Klein, and Rev. Sally Bingham Op.Ed

"AND God said. This is a beautiful world that I have given you. Take good care of it, do not ruin it. It is said: Before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating worlds and destroying them. Finally God created this one and was satisfied. God said to Adam: This is the last world that I shall make. I place it in your hands; hold it in trust.'

This week, the California State Assembly is considering landmark legislation (SB1), the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, to combat global warming by investing in solar energy. In addition to the solar industry and environmental groups, the bill is also being championed by the religious community.

Why is the religious community involved in solar power? The answer is simple. We believe care for Creation is central to a religious life. In the Judeo/ Christian faith, that call to protect Creation is summed up in the passage above from the Midrash, or ancient Jewish teachings.

The passage sounds a common theme among the world's religions. Its message of stewardship is particularly relevant today, as we face what may be the greatest threat to human beings and the natural world: global warming.

The religious community has become more involved in the issue of global warming as it has become clear that this is an issue of justice.

Global warming is a problem created primarily by the overconsumption of fossil fuels in the world's wealthiest nations, but it is the people in the poorest nations who will bear the brunt of the impacts.

Low-lying coastal areas and islands could be devastated by rising sea levels, increasingly destructive hurricanes, and the collapse of ecosystems. Even a small sea-level rise could displace millions of people in Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world.

If we are to obey our call to be stewards of Creation and to serve one another, we will act quickly to avert this disaster. We will change our habits and make energy choices that will clear our air and improve our health while heading off the worst effects of global warming. This is the choice provided us by solar power and other forms of renewable energy.

In Southern California, we are famous for our sunny climate. We can utilize this God-given clean-energy source to lead the nation and the world toward a responsible energy future. The science tells us there is no time to waste we must act now to slow the rate of global warming or suffer potentially catastrophic climate change.

Southern California's religious community is already leading the way toward solar energy. Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles has installed solar panels that generate 66 kilowatts of clean energy. Temple Isaiah, a 900- member congregation here in Los Angeles, works to reduce impact on the environment by making low-energy, compact fluorescent light bulbs available to congregants, displaying hybrid vehicles at Temple events, and educating members on issues facing us and future generations so that we may leave a better world for our children. For this reason, Temple Isaiah supports the Million Solar Roofs Initiative.

While we strongly believe in leading by example, we know that our actions alone are not enough. We must have leadership from government to make the policies that will have an impact on global emissions. That's why California Interfaith Power and Light, with its nearly 330 member congregations, is calling upon the California State Assembly to pass Senate Bill 1, the Million Solar Roofs Initiative. The governor has already pledged to sign the bill into law.

The Million Solar Roofs legislation would give new homebuyers the option to go solar, with a goal of putting solar panels on half of all the new homes and a million solar homes and businesses by 2018. This would generate 3,000 megawatts of clean solar energy equivalent to a dozen peaking power plants. Replacing these dirty power plants with clean solar energy will prevent the release of more than 50 million tons of global warming pollution.

This week, our government has the opportunity to once again put California in a leadership role, and to do the right thing. As a world leader in technological innovation, California has the potential to pioneer the energy path that others may follow. This legislation will give a boost to the economy, create jobs and save Creation at the same time. Religious people want to see it passed. In doing so, we will not only be helping ourselves, we will be fulfilling our moral obligation to protect God's creation and the well- being of all humankind.

Rabbi Zoe Klein is a rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles. The Rev. Sally Bingham is president of the California Interfaith Power and Light. For more information about California Interfaith Power and Light, visit www.interfaithpower.org