Getting Started on the Genesis Covenant

Introduction Genesis Covenant 2 Mike Schut Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer -What is the Genesis Covenant (GC)? -Highlighting the New Resource Guide -Diocesan Initiatives -Further Steps: GreenFaith Certification Program -Importance of the Faith Community

-The covenant challenges faith institutions to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of each facility they maintain by 50% in ten years. -Right Rev. Steven Charleston, an Episcopal bishop, initiated the GC in June 2007 at an interfaith conference. -“Covenant” signifies a religious pledge made between God and humanity. The GC is a pledge made by religious communities to take action to protect God’s holy creation. -Episcopal Church Adopted the GC at General Convention, 2009 What is the Genesis Covenant? Genesis Covenant 3

“The crisis of climate change presents to us unprecedented challenge to the goodness, interconnectedness, and sanctity of the world God created and loves…The church’s commitment to ameliorating it is a part of the ongoing discovery of God’s revelation to humanity and a call to the fuller understanding of the scriptural imperative of loving our neighbor.” - Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori; Speech to the United States Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, June 2007 “In order to honor the goodness and sacredness of God’s creation, we… commit ourselves and urge every Episcopalian…to work toward climate justice through reducing our own carbon footprint and advocating for those most negatively affected by climate change.” - The Episcopal Church House of Bishops’ Pastoral Teaching on the Environment, September pastoral-teaching pastoral-teaching Cool Quotes Genesis Covenant 4

- Just released a new resource, downloadable at: Or find a link to it here: Getting Started on the Genesis Covenant: Reduce Energy Use, Save Money, and Care for God’s Creation Highlighting the New Resource Guide Genesis Covenant 5

-Theological Foundation Undergirds the “Nuts and Bolts”: Gratitude, a Call to Serve and a Call to Justice -“Nuts and Bolts” include: - Your Community - Your Team (technical and inspirational) - Establishing a Baseline - Carbon Footprints (EPA’s Portfolio Manager and Interfaith Power and Light) - Energy Audits - Financing Tips - List of Resources and Tools (in all those areas) The New Resource Guide Genesis Covenant 6

-Diocese of Chicago: In 2010 the diocese passed an energy audit initiative… -Diocese of Olympia: offers workshops to benchmark energy usage, using EPA’s Portfolio Manager, and green grants Diocesan Initiatives Genesis Covenant 7

-Taking the GC home: Reducing your Household’s Footprint -Sharing your Story: Communications -Beyond Energy Use: Holistic Greening Programs -The GreenFaith Certification Program Further Steps Genesis Covenant 8

I used to think the top environmental problems facing the world were global warming, environmental degradation, and eco-system collapse, and that we scientists could fix those problems with enough science. But I was wrong. The real problem is not those three items, but greed, selfishness, and apathy. And for that we need a spiritual and cultural transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that. We need your help. Gus Speth Mike Schut Importance of the Faith Community Genesis Covenant 9