Secretary Brian Moran, Chairman Pat Hynes of the Fairfax County School Board and Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) discuss climate change initiatives. Photos by Elana Orbuch
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, a Northern Virginia nonprofit that helps faith communities respond to climate change, hosted a summit in Oakton to bring faith leaders and local officials together.
Secretary Brian Moran, Virginia's chief resilience officer, was joined by Chairman Pat Hynes of the Fairfax County School Board and Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville). Leaders from congregations as diverse as Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in McLean, Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling encouraged officials to commit to robust action on climate change.
Secretary Moran shared details on the Commonwealth's Clean Power Plan, which is Virginia's response to the first-ever national standard on carbon pollution. Chairman Hynes released results on Fairfax County Schools' exploration of solar power and announced an upcoming "Get to Green" dashboard. Supervisor Foust announced the launch of Fairfax County's first energy use website, which reveals how much energy county facilities use and empowers citizens to advocate for efficiency.
Interfaith Power and Light of D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia shared important context on how Northern Virginia's sustainability policies relate to those of the region as a whole. Secretary Moran will share area faith leaders' messages on climate change with Gov. McAuliffe.