Long Island Faith Groups Call For Passage Of Climate Act

Press release from the Long Island Progressive Coalition:

March 16, 2021

Faith groups and religious institutions including Muslims For Progress, the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, the Mission Team at Bethany Presbyterian Church, the Social Action Committee of Dix Hills Jewish Center, and St. James Episcopal Church on behalf of the Interfaith Association of Greater Long Beach took part in a range of actions today calling on New York State to pass the Climate and Community Investment Act, which is expected to be considered by the state legislature this spring.

Ranging from prayer services and educational programs to letter writing and social media actions, groups made a moral argument for New York State to pass the Climate and Community Investment Act, which would raise $10 - $15 billion per year via a fee on corporate pollution and reinvest the money in renewable energy development, communities most impacted by pollution and climate change, and creating good, green jobs in New York state. This bill, being championed by the statewide climate coalition NY Renews with local partners like the Long Island Progressive Coalition, is seen as the next step in realizing the emission and equity mandates enshrined in law under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which the coalition was instrumental in passing in 2019.

These actions were a part of GreenFaith’s international Sacred People, Sacred Earth Day of Action, during which faith communities across the world held simultaneous events to demand bold climate justice action. There were over 250 events across the world, and over 100 organizations representing millions of people of faith who took part in the day. In New York State, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Bahá’í, and interfaith groups held over 15 actions, from prayer circles to letter writing to socially distanced walks and rallies, all focused on passing climate justice legislation in the form of the CCIA. Those millions of people of faith are standing behind these actions in New York and on Long Island.

"At Muslims for Progress, we sit at the intersection of faith and action”, said Dr. Farhana H Islam, PharmD, Creative Director at MFP. “We take this opportunity to push forward an agenda that combines our faith guided moral imperatives with our real world ability to implement change. As stewards of our own bodies and actions on this sacred earth- we take this responsibility seriously. This is why we join the movement toward a clean and sustainable world that upholds our covenant with our Creator and honors the land we have been entrusted with.”

"Faith-based political action can provide powerful leverage for tackling the immense challenge of the climate crisis, and its thorny politics”, said Chris Sellers, Elder at Bethany Presbyterian Church. “Now that New York State has set ambitious goals for a transition to clean energy, it is time for our legislators to fund this vital work in fair and just ways, with polluters footing the bill. That's why on March 11, we'll begin lobbying our legislators for a Climate and Community Investment Act."

“Today we are called to remember Deuteronomy 16:20 ‘Justice, justice thou shalt pursue’’, said Regina Cohn, Chair of the Social Action Committee of the Dix Hills Jewish Center. “ We started this week with New York State Assembly Member Steve Stern speaking to the Social Action Committee about current legislation for New York, work for renewable energy and funding for green energy including recycling, good paying jobs, infrastructure and transportation improvements. Today we are taking specific action to ensure NYS passes the Climate and Community Investment Act. We must support people and neighborhoods who have been impacted by failed policies and ensure we make a difference for our local community, for Long Island, New York State, and beyond.”

“As Episcopalians we find the imperative to care for and heal our beloved earth in a phrase from our worship book ‘this fragile earth, our island home’”, said Rev. Susan Bock of St. James Episcopal Church on behalf of the Interfaith Association of Greater Long Beach. “We seek to respond graciously and gratefully to the earth for all she does to sustain our life by living upon her consciously, lightly, reverently and responsibly.”

About the CCIA: The CCIA would raise $10-$15 billion per year over the next ten years, paid for by a fee on corporate pollution. One-third of the funds will go to community-based organizations located in or serving Black, Brown, and low-income communities disproportionately burdened by climate change and pollution to fund community-led climate solutions. Another thirty percent of the funding will be invested in large-scale investments such as major solar arrays, offshore wind, and grid stability. The final third of the revenue will provide energy rebates to the lowest-earning 60% of New Yorkers, protecting ratepayers and lowering utility costs. The CCIA is estimated to create and sustain over 150,000 jobs over the first decade and includes gold-standard labor provisions, such as prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, best-value procurement, community benefits agreements.

About Muslims For Progress: Muslims for Progress is a grassroots organization which aims to increase civic engagement of historically marginalized communities. We strive to attain a world that includes diverse voices, and addresses the needs of all people by supporting leaders and legislation that reflect our moral principles rooted in social justice and equality for all.
About Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock: Unitarian Universalism draws from the teachings of several world religions and appeals to people from a diversity of traditions. For both the heart and the mind, Shelter Rock offers engaging worship, religious education, opportunities for social action, and a community of caring, curious and compassionate people. Visitors (whom we call Friends) are always welcome. We aspire to be a loving religious community where we can grow spiritually and build a more just and joyful world. www.uucsr.org.

About Dix Hills Jewish Center: Dix Hills Jewish Center is a Conservative Congregation, celebrating over 50 years as a beacon of dynamic Judaism in Dix Hills. We are a traditional egalitarian synagogue committed to the reality that all Jews are full partners in the beauty of Jewish life and that all Jews are given an equal role in all rituals. The Dix Hills Jewish Center is an engaging, vibrant congregation dedicated to serving the Jewish community of Western Suffolk County. We are a community committed to learning, to supporting each other, and to being a warm and welcoming place for all who participate.

About Bethany Presbyterian Church: Bethany Presbyterian Church is a multiracial congregation serving the multicultural community of Huntington Station. We gather weekly for worship and fellowship to give thanks for the joys in life and to support each other in the struggles of being human. Renewed and energized we join together in mission and service with current foci centered on racial equality, food security, and climate justice. Our faith and common mission energize us to work for justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God and neighbor. All are invited to join with us on this journey. For information about how to join our online/in-person worship services and other activities, please call 631-423-6359.

About the Interfaith Association of Greater Long Beach: St. James Episcopal Church, as part of the Interfaith Association of Greater Long Beach – an alliance of Christians, Muslims, and Jews - has presented a 6-week webinar, “this fragile earth, our island home” which concludes tonight on this day of action, “This Sacred Earth”. The association works to create justice and peace for the earth and all its people, and can be reached by contacting the Rev. Susan Bock at therealgirlpriest@yahoo.com.

About GreenFaith: GreenFaith is a global network of grassroots spiritual and religious circles of people who are fighting for climate and environmental justice. Because the Earth and all people are sacred and at risk, GreenFaith is building a worldwide, multi-faith climate and environmental movement. Together our members create communities to transform ourselves, our spiritual institutions, and society to protect the planet and create a compassionate, loving and just world.
About Long Island Progressive Coalition: The Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC) is a 42 year old grassroots organization that fights for structural change at the local, state, and national levels to attain racial justice, build community wealth, and realize a just transition to a 100% renewable energy future.

About NY Renews: NY Renews is a coalition of over 250 community-based, labor, environmental justice, faith, and climate groups fighting for climate, jobs, and justice legislation in New York State. In 2019, the coalition pushed for and passed the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which sets legally binding mandates for New York State to move off of fossil fuels and invest in environmental justice communities.

This press release was produced by the Long Island Progressive Coalition. The views expressed here are the author's own.