RICHMOND, July 2 - The Environmental Justice Office of the National Ministries Division estimated that the 216th General Assembly would produce 50 tons of carbon dioxide pollution, mostly from energy expended to run the event and to transport participants to and from Richmond.
The pollution is unavoidable. But the EJO, using this year's "pollutant index," has made an offsetting contribution to NativeEnergy in support of the continued development work on renewable energy resources.
The PC(USA) gift will help pay for the second phase of construction of a wind turbine project in South Dakota owned by the Rosebud Sioux tribe.
This premier Native American-owned and -operated large-scale "wind farm" will construct a facility that will provide 58,651 kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable energy over its 25-year operating life. The electricity produced will directly offset 50 tons of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.
According to Deborah Davies, manager of Assembly service, "The Office of the General Assembly (OGA) was mandated in 1990 to reduce and recycle the waste created by a meeting of this magnitude."
In response, Davies' office developed the e-commissioner program to help reduce paper and postage expenses. When commissioners register, they receive a CD containing all Assembly reports. In addition, the OGA uses recycled paper and participates in convention-center recycling programs.
How can you limit your own personal energy use at home? Turn off lights and air conditioning when you're not home; be thoughtful about your consumption of disposable items; recycle paper, cans, cardboard, and glass whenever possible; and praise God for the beauty of Earth and all creation.
For more information about the Rosebud Wind Turbine Project, visit www.nativeenergy.com/ejo. |
