Religious Community Stands for Climate Legislation

I thought this list of talking points from the fighting poverty with faith website was really great:
(http://fightingpovertywithfaith.com/f2/?page_id=14).

MESSAGING—WHAT DOES "GOOD JOBS, GREEN JOBS" HAVE TO DO WITH CLIMATE AND ENERGY?

1. Scientists tell us "global warming is real; the science is sound; and the effects are likely to be
severe." As people of faith, we are called to care for all of God's children, especially the most
vulnerable, and to protect and restore God's creation. Climate change is a threat to all people
and all of creation. There are currently energy and climate bills moving through both the House
and the Senate, calling for emissions reductions, and mitigation and adaptation support both at
home and abroad.

2. A green job has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family. It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit
the environment.

3. Addressing climate change is a justice issue. The effects of climate change are already being felt the most by those who can least afford to deal with its effects. And as the climate continues to change, the impact will be more keenly felt both by low-income communities in the U.S. and
least developed and developing nations abroad. Water scarcity, drought, crop failure, increased
disease, and flooding are just a few of the impacts. All of these climate and energy bills will have
a green jobs component – even if it is just an indirect one by mandating new industries.

Action Alert Text:

As a person of faith, I am deeply concerned with the impact of global climate change on
God’s people and God’s Creation. Leading scientists and scientific bodies including the
National Academy of Sciences predict that the impacts of climate change have and will
dramatically and negatively alter God's gracious gift of Creation. These impacts will have
a disproportionate impact on those living in poverty and suffering from hunger, as well
as the elderly, infants, communities of color and those least responsible for greenhouse
gas emissions.

Climate change legislation should set mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to the levels called for by respected scientific bodies, while protecting and
providing for those living in poverty both in the United States and abroad. This bill
should provide more money for those living in poverty around the world who are
already suffering from the impacts of climate change and more money for green and
sustainable jobs in our communities. It should also support renewable energy and
energy efficiency that will lower costs for consumers, reduce air pollution and provide
jobs for struggling communities around the country. I urge you to strengthen and
support the American Clean Energy and Security Act as a first step toward addressing
the moral issue of our time.