Calculate your congregation’s carbon footprint at www.CoolCongregations.com, an online calculator designed especially for houses of worship. It goes beyond energy to consider the impact of land use, recycling and more. Oregon Interfaith Power & Light is pleased to have contributed to the development of this tool. Collecting information for the calculator and using it can make a great project for a youth group or other group in your congregation.
The Cool Congregations Carbon Checklist and Action Menu provides a checklist of items that contribute to your carbon—and overall environmental—footprint with concrete actions to reduce your footprint. It is intended to be used after your congregation determines its carbon footprint using the online calculator at www.CoolCongregations.com but can be use independently. It would make a great summer project for youth groups! All congregations who complete the survey and mail a copy to OIPL/EMO at 0245 SW Bancroft, Suite B, Portland, OR 97239, by July 30 get their pick of two energy efficient light bulbs from www.ShopIPL.org, as well as recognition on our Web site and in a press release. If you have questions or need help in using the calculator, call Jenny or Alison at (503) 221-1054.
Once you calculate the footprint of your facility, what about your congregants? There is an online calculator for individuals also. The collective carbon footprint of congregant households is typically much larger than their house of worship. The Cool Congregation program developed by Iowa Interfaith Power and Light is a great way to help your members get involved.
In the fall of 2009, Oregon Interfaith Power & Light will be providing a workshop to train a dozen or more representatives to implement the Cool Congregations program in their congregation. Cool Congregations is a stewardship program to help your congregants measure and reduce their household greenhouse gas emissions. It is simple, clear and very welcoming to those who are new to thinking about how to reduce their impact on Creation. If you would like to attend the training or have a training in your community or for your denomination, send an e-mail to oipl@emoregon.org or call Alison at (503) 221-1054, ext. 210.
