A new partnership offers UUs and their congregations a simple
and effective way
to address global warming
Global warming is the changing of our global climate because of the build-up of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. UUMFE believes that global warming is an urgent moral crisis that demands unprecedented changes in how we live our lives, while recognizing the reality that most of us cannot immediately give up our cars, remodel our homes with alternative energy options for heat and electricity, or avoid some air travel. As we work hard to change our behaviors and to move our society as rapidly as possible towards sustainable solutions, what can we begin to do right now?
We Can Reduce Our Carbon Footprints
By calculating how much carbon is produced in our daily activities and offsetting that carbon with dollars that can be used to support the development of renewable energy sources, we can build positive change. We are all responsible for climate change when we use electricity from coal plants to power our homes, gasoline in our cars and jet fuel in planes. Everything we consume - clothes, food, electronics, etc. - is made using energy which contributes to climate change. We can all be part of the solution to reduce CO2.
What are Carbon Offsets?
Carbon offsets - also called renewable energy certificates and 'climate tags' - represent the reduction of CO2 in one location to offset the CO2 produced in another, like your home or car. For instance, a clean, zero CO2 wind farm in Kansas can offset the carbon dioxide produced by a coal-fired power plant near your home. Carbon offsets help reduce the cost of clean, renewable energy, which further helps develop the technology.
An Easy, Effective & Low Cost Solution
Carbon offsets are a very affordable and effective means for you and your congregation to reduce the threat of climate change. In a UUMFE survey of attendees at GA 2004, 90% of respondents said they would pay $15/month or more to reduce their impact on climate change.
Carbonfund.org reduces CO2 for just $10 per metric ton. With the average American responsible for about 10 tons of CO2 annually from their home, car and air travel and 23 tons covering their entire impact, this amounts to just $8.33 - $19.16 per month to offset your climate footprint by supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects.
In addition, we invite your congregations to offset all or some portion of their annual carbon footprint as a powerful eco-justice action and act of witness.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by UUs. Carbonfund.org supports only high quality projects verified and audited by third-parties. For more on their projects visit www.carbonfund.org.
Your Offsets Support UUMFE
When UUs choose to offset their energy consumption through this partnership, 7.5% of your donation will be used to support UUMFE's ongoing advocacy for sustainable UUA practices and the development and distribution of resources for worship and education to promote: "respect for the interdependent web of all creation of which we are a part."
How to Participate
For individual carbon offsets, make a personal contribution at www.Carbonfund.org and choose 'UUMFE' as the referral. For District and Congregational carbon offsets, email info@carbonfund.org for assistance with calculations or send your check with "UUMFE" in the memo line. You may also choose to designate your donation towards Renewables, Energy Efficiency or Reforestation in the memo line.
Carbonfund.org
1320 Fenwick Ln, Suite 206,
Silver Spring, MD 20901
info@carbonfund.org
www.carbonfund.org
Tel: (240)247-0630
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