Cool Congregations Challenge 2014 winners April 21, 2015 – In celebration of Earth Day, Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) has announced its annual Cool Congregations Challenge winners — exemplary faith communities modeling climate solutions and Earth stewardship in dozens of inspiring projects across the nation. The winning faith communities represent many different religious backgrounds, but […]
Cool Challenge 2014 Stories
Modeling care for the Earth and future generations in Kentucky
Cool Planner Winner – Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion Louisville, Kentucky CO2 Reduction: Anticipate 21 metric tons/year According to Buddhist teaching, there is a very close interdependence between the natural environment and the sentient beings living in it. “At this time it is extremely important that every human being, according to his or her […]
Energy saving volunteers in North Carolina work at nexus of climate and poverty
Community Inspiration Winner – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Hayesville, North Carolina CO2 Reduction: 33 metric tons/year Prevents: 35,000 lbs. of coal from being burned Families helped: 40 and counting Percent CO2 Reduction: 10-20% per household A group of around ten climate concerned volunteers from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and the Hayesville community are answering a […]
Re-created native habitat replaces lawn, reduces CO2, prevents runoff
2014 Cool Congregations Challenge Winner SAGRED GROUNDS STEWARD Category St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Carmel, IN Faith tradition: United Church of Christ Cost Savings: $2,000 annual savings CO2 Reduction: 3.7 metric tons CO2 per year St. Peter’s UCC has approximately 2.5 acres of ground surrounding the church building, much of it having been planted […]
Largest community-supported solar system in West Virginia
2014 Cool Congregations Challenge Winner RENEWABLE ROLE MODEL Category Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church Shepherdstown, WV Faith Tradition: Presbyterian Cost Savings: Will own system in 5 years CO2 Reduction: 132 metric tons/year Generating: 19,000 KWH of electricity Estimated savings per year: 50% reduction in energy use In West Virginia the true costs of cheap energy are impossible […]
Green to Deep Green with Energy Efficient Straw Bale Eco Center
2014 Cool Congregations Challenge Winner ENERGY EFFICIENCY Category The Eco Center at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center Little Rock, AR Faith Tradition: Presbyterian Cost Savings: $7,626 annual savings CO2 Reduction: 319 metric tons CO2 per year Energy Savings: 956 kWh/year Reduction in CO2 footprint (over standard construction): 95% Ferncliff is a summer camp and year […]
