The Environment

NMCC is one of fifty members of New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light (NMIPL), a statewide alliance of faith communities committed to creation stewardship. Click here for more information. NMCC's environmental task forces were involved in much of the ecological consciousness raising of New Mexicans preceding the founding of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light.

The NMCC is deeply and seriously involved as an advocate in global warming issues. We accept the position of the vast majority of informed scientists that global warming is a scientific fact, that the warming is primarily caused by human activities, and that the threat of serious damage to the earth's ecological health is serious. Unless substantial steps are taken to limit the emission of green houses into the atmosphere, enormous human financial and social cost is inevitable. Climate changes can generate vast migration of refugees, with all the human misery that represents and the wars they cause. Against such enormous future risk, the modest costs of green house mitigation pales by comparison.

Consequently, we have opposed the construction of a new coal fired power plant in the 4 Corners region, we have supported legislation to encourage electricity conservation and the more efficient use of electricity, and we have supported the adoption of the clean cars initiative in NM to limit CO2 emission. We also have been very active in the move by the Western states to develop a regulatory cap and trade scheme for green house gas emission, and enjoy a leadership position in the the advocate group associated with that effort. In that connection, we have been a leader in focusing the attention of the Western states on the possible impacts cap and trade policies can eventually have on low income people. We are and will be active in the effort to make sure poor people do not bear an unfair burden when that process finally comes to fruition. In all of this, we cooperate with other advocacy groups under the umbrella of the NM Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy.

The contact person in this area is Robb Thomson, email robbm@toast.net and address 250 E. Alameda Apt 515, Santa Fe, NM.