Wednesday Bulletin

Dear Friend,

Thank you for adding your name to the thousands of pastors, Christians, and evangelical leaders from across the country who have signed the WeGetIt.org declaration! If a million Christians sign this statement, we can send an important message to our leaders that Biblical principles and factual evidence, not media hype about things like global warming, should guide our care for the environment and the poor.

Every week, the WeGetIt.org Wednesday Bulletin provides updates on the stewardship-related news of our day, and offers some practical ways to think Biblically about these issues. As you read, please be thinking of the people you know who would benefit from this information. Then, forward this message to your friends and encourage them to sign the declaration.

Civil Rights Leaders Liken Skyrocketing Energy Prices to War on Poor Minorities

As food and gas prices continue to climb, who is being hit the hardest in the United States? Niger Innis of the Congress of Racial Equality argues that minorities are being disproportionately affected by rising energy prices. Innis explains why he believes all forms of energy, including carbon intensive ones, should be used to solve our economic problems.

Innis and Bishop Harry Jackson (a WeGetIt.org campaign supporter) are the co-chairs of the Alliance to Stop the War On the Poor, which says that "more than 100 politicians and 50 environmental extremist groups…are waging an immoral 'war on the poor' by pushing policies that limit America’s ability to produce more American energy and drive energy prices skyward."

Test Your Global Warming IQ

Take a quick, 10-question test on global warming, and in the process learn a lot that doesn't fit well with the media hype. You'll find it not only educational but also entertaining. You'll probably want to share it with your friends.
(Sssshhhhh: a little tip: The author, Dr. Monte Hieb, wrote the test before it became apparent that global temperature has been declining significantly for the last seven to ten years. Consequently the test calls for an answer to the first question that isn't informed by those recent data.)

The Winds of Change?

Alternative energy sources like wind power are being promoted heavily as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to fight global warming. The Environmental News Network reports that US wind energy capacity has risen to 19.5 megawatts, making it the world's leader, and is expected to increase 45 percent through 2008.

But how significant is the achievement?

First, total annual US energy consumption is around 3.3 terawatts, which makes wind capacity 6/10,000ths of 1 percent.

Second, "capacity" isn't production. "Capacity" is how much a machine (nuclear plant, coal plant, windmill) could produce if operating at full load. Because wind is intermittent and not always at the highest speed wind generators can use, production runs between 10 and 20 percent of capacity.

So that puts the actual share of US energy consumption supplied by wind power between only a tenth and a fifth of the 6/10,000ths of 1 percent of total US energy consumption.

Wind power is also very expensive, not only in the direct cost of generating electricity from wind but also because, since wind is intermittent, conventional generators must continue simultaneously to sustain "base load" for the grid when wind isn't sufficient.

Want to learn more? See Robert Bryce's Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of 'Energy Independence.'

You can help us list your name with more context by including your title and/or affiliation (e.g. Pastor, Homemaker, Student; see more examples). By telling us a little about yourself, you can also help us tailor our communication with you. (Affiliations will only be used for identification purposes.) Here's what we recorded:

fullname (Edit)
Zip code: (Edit)

Remember, word of mouth is the most effective way to get the truth out. Help us reach one million signers by forwarding this email to your friends, and encouraging them to sign the WeGetIt.org declaration. Together, we can take a stand for truth and for the poor.

Gratefully,

-- The WeGetIt.org campaign team