On December 6, 2021 the MNCJ (an affiliate of Earth Ministry/WAIPL) Leadership Team approved the signing of a letter from the Electrify Bellingham Coalition that encouraged the city council to pass polices requiring new building electrification policies. The leadership Team finds the letter to be consistent with, and supportive of, the MNCJ’s mission, vision and guiding values. Specifically, we believe this letter respectfully but clearly nudges the Bellingham City Council to contribute to the MNCJ’s vision of “a just and compassionate world with a healthy Web of Life” while also being consistent with our mission to “respond to the many environmental and social impacts of the climate crises.”
A majority of the letter articulates the need for new building electrification policies, much of which is supported by scientific facts. Examples include:
- 43% of carbon emissions in Bellingham come from buildings
- Burning gas in buildings compromises indoor air quality, leading to adverse health impacts that disproportionately effect lower-income communities and communities of color.
- Fossil gas is explosive, thus creating hazards for individuals, first responders, our community and environment.
- Fracked gas is dirtier than coal from source to end use.
- The production, delivery, and use of fossil gas inequitably impacts vulnerable populations.
- Technologies now exist to affordably and efficiently run buildings exclusively on clean electricity.
- These new technologies are more energy efficient, and all-electric buildings are less expensive to build.
- While some job dislocation is expected, new “green” employment opportunities are expected to occur with this shift, as well.
These facts, and the concern for marginalized communities expressed in the letter, are resonate well with the MNCJ’s goal of weaving spiritual wisdom and scientific knowledge in our efforts to respond to the many social and environmental impacts of the climate crisis.
The letter ends by making the point that taking concrete actions to address our climate crisis cannot wait and states that the future well-being of our community depends on our current leaders doing just that. The MNCJ Leadership Team fully agrees with this statement and applauds the city staff for drafting a new building electrification policy and bringing it to the city council for consideration on December 13th, 2021.
Dear Members of the Bellingham City Council and Mayor Fleetwood,
We, the undersigned, are a coalition of organizations that support building electrification in Bellingham. Climate change and pollution present a growing existential threat, and there is no time remaining to not take sweeping action to address this challenge. In 2019, the Climate Action Task Force recommended that Bellingham pass policies requiring new building electrification as quickly as possible. We’re calling on our city’s elected officials to continue Bellingham’s tradition of green leadership, which will help set a path for other Washington communities.
According to the Climate Action Task Force, 43% of Bellingham’s climate emissions come from buildings, making it one of our largest and fastest growing sources of climate pollution. Between 2019 and 2035, at least 45 million square feet of new floor area is expected to be constructed in Bellingham. It is clear that, in order to effectively address the climate crisis, we need to dramatically reduce the burning of fossil fuels. As such, we cannot continue building new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Additionally, burning gas in buildings compromises indoor air quality, leading to adverse health impacts. Indoor air pollution disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color. Not to mention the explosive properties of fossil gas that create hazards for individuals, first responders, our community and environment.
Contrary to efforts by the fossil fuel industry to lead the public to believe that “natural” gas is a relatively clean, transitional fuel, it is anything but. Fracked gas is dirtier than coal from source to end use. Further, the production, delivery, and use of fossil gas inequitably impacts vulnerable populations.
New building electrification is a practical policy. Technologies now exist to affordably and efficiently run buildings exclusively on clean electricity. These newer technologies are more energy efficient, and all-electric buildings are less expensive to build. While some job dislocation would be expected, new “green” employment opportunities are expected to occur with this shift, as well.
Taking concrete steps to address our climate crisis cannot wait. The future well-being of our community depends on our current leaders doing just that and wasting no more time in passing an ordinance requiring new buildings to be all-electric.
Thank you for your consideration and action.
Sincerely,
Stand.earth
Riveters Collective
Climate Solutions
The Climate Reality Project Bellingham Chapter
350 Bellingham
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
Whatcom Undaunted
League of Women Voters Bellingham – Whatcom County
Multifaith Network for Climate Justice
