Last week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a new report covering the latest climate science, the threats from climate change, and what we can do to limit the climate crisis. The report emphasized that at least 3.3 billion people’s daily lives are “highly vulnerable” to climate change and are 15 times more likely to die from extreme weather than in years past. 

This report has clarified that we must take more robust global climate measures to avoid climate disasters. This is no time to increase fossil fuel production, cut gas taxes, or build new gas and oil infrastructure. It is time to increase the production of renewable alternatives and to ensure communities suffering from the climate crisis are the leading voices on climate change. 

At Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, we recognize that we can only achieve effective action with the leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs). We also recognize that many of the global Black, Brown & Indigenous communities are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change. We work to help climate-vulnerable communities throughout the Commonwealth create and advocate for community-based sustainable solutions for issues like heat island effects, flooding, sea level rise, etc. 

We are helping faith communities take action to increase the tree canopy, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide healthy vegetables to their members and surrounding communities. We look forward to your continued help to advance climate and environmental justice in our local communities by taking action with us during Faith Climate Action Week. Read more about the report with this helpful article from the Nature Conservancy.