National Catholic Rural Life Bulletin

In this issue

WHAT'S BEHIND THE WAY WE EAT?
WHAT'S ON OUR FOOD?
FARM AID GRANTS encourage the Family Farm System
Midwest Rural Assembly, August 10-11, Sioux Falls, SD
Creation an emphasis of Holy Father's Angelus
UN Expert Acknowledges Climate Change Work of Catholic Church
ACTION ITEM: Climate Change bill not Supportive Enough for Least Developed Countries
Distribution of Revenue from Carbon Permits

WHAT'S BEHIND THE WAY WE EAT?

Food, Inc. documentary takes a critical look at our food-producing system

The U.S. food supply is controlled now by a handful of corporations that put profit ahead of food safety, the livelihood of farmers, the safety of workers and the environment, according to a new documentary, Food, Inc. The film investigates the unintended consequences and hidden costs of our current system of producing food. This new expose of our food-producing system is especially significant because it draws together the system's many diverse elements in entertaining and informative ways and will be widely distributed in local theaters throughout the summer months. Its producers are hopeful the documentary will rattle the industry and shake up complacent consumers.

Read more of Rich Heffern's article in the National Catholic Reporter

WHAT'S ON OUR FOOD?

Pesticide Action Network has launched a new website called What's On My Food?

The searchable site reveals what pesticides are found on which foods, in what amount, and - for the first time - links pesticide residues to the health effects associated with exposure to each of the chemicals. By taking readers deeper into the public problem of pesticides, the site shows how widespread use of agricultural chemicals threatens the health of workers and rural communities, as well as harming wildlife and contaminating ecosystems.

What's On My Food? is an outreach tool meant to build momentum toward real pesticide reform.

FARM AID GRANTS encourage the Family Farm System

The mission of Farm Aid is to keep family farmers throughout the United States on their land. Farm Aid supports organizations that work to maintain a family farm system of agriculture and that promote solutions to the challenges facing rural communities.

Grants are provided in the following categories: Growing the Good Food Movement supports projects that increase the interest in family farm-identified, organic, or humanely-raised food. Helping Farmers Thrive supports projects that assist farmers transitioning to more sustainable farming practices, as well as support services for farm families in crisis. Taking Action to Change the System grants enable advocates to strengthen the voices of family farmers and promote their interests on a local, regional, and national level.

Learn more about the Farm Aid grants and how to access applications.

Midwest Rural Assembly set for August 10-11
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

As NCRLC has reported in previous bulletins, a Midwest Rural Assembly is happening this August 10-11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This regional gathering will feature policy issue sessions, skill building workshops for local development, and link grassroots groups and community leaders with members of Congress and USDA staff. Click on the link above to see a preliminary Program agenda.

Please consider joining us at the Midwest Rural Assembly. This is an opportunity to share information and strategies to advance a sustainable rural development agenda for the greater Midwest region.

CREATION an emphasis of Holy Father's Angelus

Pope Benedict XVI on the Feast of Corpus Christi drew images of creation and agricultural seasons on a cosmic background of natural seasons. Seasonal images reveal a manifestation of God in relationship of Trinity, Eucharist, love, and Paschal mystery among all of creation. The images also are a revelation of oneness and hope along the difficult "journey to freedom, justice and peace" amidst natural and liturgical seasons.

Read the June 14 Angelus

UN Expert Acknowledges Climate Change Work of Catholic Church

After a recent visit to the Vatican, the director of the UN Foundation's energy policy program, Mark Hopkins, said that "conceivably, Vatican City could become the first state to be powered by renewable" energy. While Vatican improvements in energy efficiency, according to Hopkins, could reduce Vatican greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent, additional reductions will be realized through alternative energy sources such as the solar array atop Paul VI audience hall and a planned solar farm on the outskirts of Rome. Hopkins told Catholic News Service (CNS) that Vatican engineers "are top-notch people doing great stuff. It's impressive they're actually doing what some people only talk about and (they) are doing it in a significant way."

Hopkins also acknowledged the advocacy work of U.S. faith communities encouraging the movement of legislation in Congress to mitigate climate change and to provide funding for adaptation to climate change among poor and vulnerable people now and for future generations. According to CNS, he encouraged the Catholic Church to be even more vocal about its efforts in advocacy for care of creation. Hopkins suggested that such leadership and status would put "the church in a great moral position" from which to encourage other nations and individuals to do more.

Read the complete story at http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0902734.htm

Invite NCRLC to conduct a workshop on climate change for your diocese, religious community, or university. Contact NCRLC Science and Environmental Education Specialist Tim Kautza at tim@ncrlc.com or 515.270.2634 ext. 12.

ACTION ITEM: Climate Change bill not supportive enough for Least Developed Countries

The U.S. House of Representatives is nearing passage of HR 2454 (American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009). But despite the efforts of the faith community, funding levels for international adaptation in the legislation remain woefully inadequate. The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change and its members (NCRLC, USCCB, CRS, and other national Catholic organizations) think the funding begins too low (less than $1 billion) with too-slow increases in the coming years.

The measure could go to the House floor before the Fourth of July break, so please call your U.S. Representative (202-224-3121) and urge that the funding level for international adaptation rise to at least $3.5 billion and that this level accelerate at a much faster rate than in the current version of the bill.

BACKGROUND

Relief and development experts believe that at a minimum $28 billion/year will be needed to help poor nations cope. The United States, historically the largest contributor to climate change, must also contribute to its solutions including international adaptation. Yet the bill contains only 1% (or less than $1 billion) for this effort. The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change believes that this amount should go to at least $3.5 billion and increase steadily in the short term rising to at least $7 billion/year. NCRLC asks you to advocate for this increase on behalf of those around the world who will suffer the most from damaging climatic changes.

See next item for information on revenue created by carbon permits to help pay for these increases.

See the USCCB letter to Congress on the issue of climate change and impacts on the poor.

Distribution of Revenue from Carbon Permits

Revenue that will be generated through the distribution of carbon permits will be allocated according to the following plan in the existing version of the bill:

* 15 percent will go toward helping low- and moderate-income families which CCCC members support.
* 1 percent for international adaptation from 2012 to 2021 (increases to 4 percent between 2022 to 2026, to 8 percent in 2027). CCCC members oppose this provision believing the initial funding must start higher (3.5 percent) and ramp up faster (.5 percent/year up to 7 percent). These carbon permits may then be sold on the carbon market to generate funds for international adaptation efforts.
* 1 percent for clean technology transfers from 2012 to 2021 (increases to 4 percent between 2022 to 2026, to 8 percent in 2027)
* 35 percent for electric utility sector, including 30 percent for distribution companies and 5 percent for privately owned coal companies
* 15 percent for carbon-intensive industries, such as steel and cement, in 2014 (reduced by 2 percent very year)
* 10 percent for states for renewable energy and efficiency investment from 2012 to 2015 (reduced to 5 percent between 2016 to 2022
* 9 percent for local natural gas distribution companies (reduced to zero between 2026 and 2030)
* 5 percent for tropical deforestation projects
* 3 percent for automakers toward advanced technologies through 2017 (reduced to 1 percent from 2018 and 2025)
* 2 percent for domestic adaptation to climate change between 2012 and 2021 (increases to 4 percent between 2022 to 2026, to 8 percent in 2027
* 2 percent for carbon capture and storage technology from 2014 and 2017 (increases to 5 percent after 2018)
* 2 percent for oil refineries from 2014 to 2026
* 1.5 percent for programs helping home heating oil and propane users (reduced to zero between 2026 and 2030)
* 1 percent for Clean Energy Innovation Centers for R&D funding
* 0.5 percent for job training from 2012 to 2021 (increases to 1 percent after 2022

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