Program areas at Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
Advocacy - FACS convenes advocacy teams in six local jurisdictions led by volunteers which meet monthly by webinar and are tasked with organizing meetings with their local elected officials twice annually. We build capacity of advocacy teams through training and development of talking points and other materials. Calls to action are issued, including petitions, public testimony, letters to the editor, participation in climate marches, and rallies, etc. FACS builds momentum and joins coalitions in support of our NOVA to Zero campaign to move Northern Virginia counties and cities to net zero emissions by 2050. We host an annual Sustainability Champions Award ceremony in June.
Education - FACS educates faith communities about the effects of climate change, how it disproportionately affects people of color, lower-income populations, and other vulnerable communities. FACS hosts a wide variety of well attended webinars. Our new Power of Faith program works with congregations regionally to help them lower their carbon footprint and save money to invest in their programs. A community engagement manager guides each congregation to track energy use, increase energy efficiency, install renewable energy, and finance their journeys.
Outreach - Expanded presence in Northern Virginia in order to reach a broader and more diverse segment of the faith community, including strengthening hubs in the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Fairfax County and the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Participated in actions jointly with community partners, such as rallies to support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Co-hosted programs and events with community partners focused on environmental issues. Hosted annual Sustainability Champion Awards and Climate Crisis Forum events.