Most faith traditions have strong statements about the moral imperative climate change presents and local communities have significant reach in their towns. Many take actions to lower the carbon footprint of their buildings, and many incorporate advocacy for fighting climate change in their social action strategies. In this session, Jim Nail will discuss how to tap this sector as both an outreach channel to engage residents in reducing their personal carbon footprints and to recruit them as partners in grassroots advocacy for legislative and regulatory actions to fight climate change.
Jim Nail is President of Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light, a 20-year-old non-profit organization that works with faith communities of all traditions to “Pray, Act, and Mobilize” to fight climate change. Jim leads the Environmental Stewardship Assessment program (an energy assessment tailored to the unique characteristics of worship buildings) and the Solar for Houses of Worship program. He is currently leading MassIPL’s partnership with MassSave and has assisted 300 houses of worship in qualifying for almost $6 million in weatherization incentives that will reduce carbon emissions by 400 mt CO2e.