Climate Justice Revival

Energy Efficiency for Houses of Worship Workshop | February 1, 2025 9:30-12:30 | Knoxville

Location:

Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd,
5409 Jacksboro Pike
Knoxville, TN 37918

More Information? Contact Courtney Shea, courtshea@aol.com, 865-387-7466

Had an Energy Audit and want to know how to implement its recommendations? 

Think your House of Worship needs an Energy Audit?

This workshop will have Energy professionals helping us walk through a sample audit performed by TVA, answering questions about implementing recommendations, assisting with problems, giving suggestions on financing.  Learn from each other as we work towards the solutions for each of our unique facilities. This workshop will address these areas:

• What to Do with your Energy Audit
• How to Get or Do an Energy Audit
• Receive Practical Advice from Energy Professionals

Sponsored by Church of the Good Shepherd and Tennessee Interfaith Power and Light.

RSVP:  Eventbrite or Courtney Shea

Sunday evening at the Ruth Holmberg Bridge, Chattanoogans gathered in solidarity for climate justice.

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change started on November 11th until November 22nd.

The conference includes representatives from 197 countries, presenting their updated national climate action plans under the Paris agreement, which are due by early 2025.

“We’re very concerned about the climate and the environment, and just want to come as an interfaith organization to express our concern and demonstrate that”, said Laura Hampton, member of the TN Interfaith Power and Light.

The Chattanooga chapter of the Tennessee Interfaith Power and Light says their main mission is to tackle the problem of climate change through a spiritual response.

“We’re continuing to put more carbon into the atmosphere and warming the planet, and we need to respond to that. But it’s also important to bring people of faith together, just as an inspiration and as a as a moment of devotion”, said Daniel Joranko, coordinator for TN Interfaith Power and Light.

Joranko says the annual vigil is a way of bringing people together for one common cause.

“It’s just a very inspiring, peaceful, meditative and it’s just a good witness out here on the bridge for folks walking by and watching”, said Joranko.

According to Climate Central, the average winter temperature in Hamilton County has warmed by nearly 5 degrees since 1970.

The Cool Congregations Challenge

This annual national contest to recognizes “Cool Congregations” that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models within their communities. The contest is brought to you by Interfaith Power & Light, a nonprofit organization inspiring and mobilizing people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate. There are no fees to enter. Application period opens November 1 each year. Deadline for entries, December 15. Get ready to enter the Challenge!

Projects completed in 2022, 2023, and 2024 will be eligible to apply. Deadline Dec 15, 2024, awards announced in February 2025.

Apply at coolcongregations.org/the-challenge
$1,000 prize will go to the winning contestant in each category:

1. Cool Congregations Planner
2. Energy Saver
3. Renewable Role Model
4. Sacred Grounds
5. Community Inspiration
6. Electric Vehicle Leader

NEW! Electric Vehicle Leader category for congregations that have encouraged EV adoption. This category includes: EVs (Congregants and Staff) • Congregational EV Charging Stations • Outreach • Educating and Advocating for EVs.  (Includes all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and electric bikes. If your congregation is working on reducing transportation emission through public transportation or carpooling, apply to the Community Inspiration category.)