Interfaith Global Warming Task Force Hoping to Make a Difference

What was once a well defined line between religion and science is now blurred.

Sandy Kurtz explains why this is. "As in many now of the faith based traditions and denominations there is an environmental movement going on."

Kurtz is a member of Chattanooga's Unitarian Universalist church, she is also the facilitator of the Interfaith Global Warming Task Force. That group partners people of every religious background to tackle climate change.

"We're all on the same planet together," Kurtz said. "No matter where you come from or what you believe, we still have to survive on this planet."

StormTeam 12 Chief Meteorologist Patrick Core agrees. "The more people you can get in a group setting, the more you can do to help the environment, it's just as easy as that. It's power in numbers."

So the members call upon their churches and congregations to make a difference and go green by reducing energy consumption.

"In churches that usually means changing the lighting," adds Kurtz.

In Kurtz's church that means compact fluorescent bulbs everywhere but in flood lights on the stage. Reducing consumption also means changing habits. "Do you have all the lights on in the church? Can you turn some of them off? Can you meet only one night a week instead of spreading meetings out throughout the week? How do you use air conditioning?" she explains.

By planting native species around the church, there are less open grassy areas. That means less mowing, and with less mowing- less gasoline for the lawn mowers. "Just allow it to grow up and be natural. Plant in some bushes. Forget the mowing," adds Kurtz.

Members are also encouraged to buy recycled goods and to take their own shopping bag to the store.

The Interfaith Global Warming Task Force will be attending this Thursday's Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee. They encourage everyone to attend the Tennessee Environmental Council seminar.

Learn more about the Interfaith Global Warming Task Force.

Learn more about Thursday June 12th's Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee.