Seattle Religious Leaders Testify at EPA Hearing

Three weeks ago the EPA announced that it would hold two hearings on its endangerment finding, that global warming pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. On Thursday, May 21, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came to Seattle and, three religious leaders testified at the EPA hearing -- Lutheran Bishop Wm. Chris Boerger (ELCA), Rabbi Zari Weiss (Jewish Climate Challenge), and LeeAnne Beres (Executive Director of Earth Ministry/WAIPL). Climate Solutions Policy Director KC Golden also joined their panel. The testimony was well received by the EPA and they received a long round of applause from the audience.

At noon, a spirited crowd estimated at 2,000 people gathered outside the EPA hearing in Seattle urging the Obama Administration to take action on reducing global warming pollution. Rabbi Zari Weiss offered a blessing for our shared work addressing the challenge of climate change and called on those present to support efforts at the local, state, and federal level. Rabbi Weiss was joined on stage by 30 religious leaders from a multitude of faith traditions and religious denominations, showing the depth and breadth of commitment in the faith community for action on climate change.

Click here for testimonies from the EPA hearing, Rabbi Weiss' rally invocation, media clips, and more photos!