People of Faith Agree: Gulf States Deserve BP Fines

It’s a critical time for the future of the Gulf with conversations taking place all over Capitol Hill on efforts to protect and restore coastal ecosystems and communities and enhance offshore drilling safety. That’s why, next Monday, July 25, Gulf groups and people of diverse faith nationwide will join together in calling on the Senate to pass the RESTORE Act (S. 861) and create a  Regional Citizens Advisory Council for the Gulf. You can help – make the call on July 25.

The RESTORE Act is needed now to ensure that Clean Water Act penalties resulting from the spill are invested in restoring Gulf ecosystems and communities. A recent op-ed from evangelical Christian leaders explains why this is an issue of justice for the Gulf. As the Rev. Mitch Hescox, president of the Evangelical Environmental Network (an After the Spill campaign partner), and Dr. Randy Brinson, president of the Alabama Christian Coalition, explain, “We need to support Gulf Coast residents and clean up the economic and environmental disaster. There can be no room for theoretical debates as whole communities are at stake.”

They go on to say, “We must ensure — now and in the future — that legal fines resulting from any ecological disaster provide for those impacted, and are not simply held in trust or deposited into the treasury.” We could not agree more – read the  op-ed today and get ready to take action as part of next week’s call-in blitz for the Gulf!

Evangelical Relief Efforts Underway

1,500 Pounds of School Supplies Delivered
The Christian Coalition of Alabama, the Evangelical Environmental Network, and the Mennonite Central Committee Relief and Development (MCCRD) partnered together to help local school children by delivering over 1,500 pounds of school supplies to school children in Alabama in August. With the start of the school year upon us many districts lack adequate supplies given the Gulf Oil Spill and recent economic hardships. The groups secured trucks and were able to get the supplies in time for the start of school. Romar Baptist Church helped to deliver the supplies. We were blessed to have the opportunity to provide for families in need in Alabama.

Raised Gardens for Coastal Communities
Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) has been given the opportunity to work with communities across the Gulf Region to bring raised garden beds to those communities. (more…)