UPDATE: The bill passed! It was very close. Thanks to everyone who took action!

We just sent out a national alert today. The American Clean Energy and Security Act, introduced by Reps. Waxman and Markey, will put a cap on carbon dioxide emissions and create millions of green jobs here in the U.S. It is a crucial step toward an environmentally and financially sustainable economy. We will not be able to prevent global warming and protect life on the planet unless we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. We can’t accomplish this dramatic feat by only making changes in our personal lives, as important as these changes are. We need this bill. We’ve got to put pressure on Congress to pass it. Especially those of us in the religious community who support it need to be heard, because you can believe that they are hearing from the opposition.

How do we make our voices heard?

You can go to Interfaith Power & Light’s Action Center right now and spend a few seconds sending a message directly to your representative. Also, you can sign up for our action alerts to get updates on this legislation.

Here is the message that we sent out from IPL’s founder, the Rev. Canon Sally Bingham:

Dear Supporter,

With the introduction of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) in the House of Representatives, we are very close to the clean energy revolution that we have been working and praying for. In order to get to the finish line we need to increase our efforts to push this legislation through in its strongest form.

The bill has faced an onslaught of attacks by interest groups trying to weaken it at every turn. But the faith community has been calling on Congress to do the right thing. On May 6, 50 IPL state leaders descended on the Capitol to deliver our message of support for strong and fair climate legislation. In addition, IPLs in five key states ran ads in local newspapers urging fence-sitting Congressmembers to pass the bill out of committee.

The bill is now almost to the House floor, and we are inviting you to contact your representatives. We know they are hearing from the opposition, which is generating thousands of calls and letters. Now more than ever, we must make sure the voice of the faith community is heard loud and clear! Don’t forget to mention the moral obligation that every one of us has to leave a healthy future for the least among us and the people that come after us.

Yes, I will tell my representative that global warming is a moral issue and we must pass effective and equitable climate policy this year!

Keep the Faith,

The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham

P.S. Please forward this message to your friends!

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