"People of faith across the nation recognize the urgent need to reduce global warming emissions, yet until now they were at a loss for solutions," said Edward Bennett, president of New York Interfaith Power and Light. "ShopIPL provides affordable means for individuals, families and congregations to take action, clean the air and save money at the same time."

On ShopIPL congregations may buy energy efficiency products proven to reduce emissions and energy bills such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, water heater timers, motion sensors, weatherization products and more at discount prices. Congregation members may order products for personal and business use and congregational ministries such as youth groups may sell the energy efficient products for fundraisers. Individuals not affiliated with a religious organization may purchase products at retail prices from the website.

The EPA reports that if more than 300,000 places of worship across the United States reduced energy usage by 10 percent, they would save nearly $200 million. Cutting energy use by just 10 percent would also prevent more than 2 million tons of greenhouse gas (global warming) emissions -- the equivalent of removing 400,000 cars from the road. Some simple, inexpensive ways to achieve a 10 percent reduction in energy use can be found on ShopIPL.org:

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lights
• Install switch plate occupancy sensors that turn lights on and off as people enter and exit rooms
• Install Energy Star qualified exit signs
• Use fans instead of air conditioning
• Seal air leaks with caulk and weather stripping
• Fix toilet leaks
• Use water-saving faucets, showerheads and toilets
• Replace old or broken appliances with Energy Star products 

Congregations should also contact their local government agencies or local utilities to find out about rebate and tax incentive programs that may offset some of the up front costs associated with making their sanctuaries, offices and other buildings more energy efficient.

"Global warming is a serious and urgent moral issue for people of faith to address," said the Rev. Sally G. Bingham, founder of Interfaith Power & Light. "Nothing and no one will escape its effects -- not rich or poor, human or nonhuman, food or habitat. People of all religious traditions have a responsibility to show leadership by example. If we do others will follow."

"Unless everyone gets involved we will not achieve the size and speed of emissions reductions we need to avert the worst global warming impacts," said Allison Fisher, coordinator for Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light. "ShopIPL.org makes it affordable and convenient for families and congregations to take action."

ShopIPL is a response to public demand for solutions resulting from the IPL "Spotlight on Global Warming" campaign in Fall 2006 when more than 4,000 congregations of all denominations across the country participated in the unprecedented inter-religious screening and discussion of educational films about global warming, featuring Paramount's An Inconvenient Truth, HBO's Too Hot Not to Handle and the independent documentary Lighten Up. Working collaboratively under an EPA grant of $450,000, 10 state IPL organizations developed the website and plan to market it to faith-based organizations nationwide.

Interfaith Power & Light is a nationwide multi-faith movement to engage religious communities in the urgency to address global warming. IPL has 4,000 participating congregations across the country. Products on ShopIPL.org are made available through the consumer division of Energy Federation Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that is one of the leading residential distributors of energy efficiency products in the United States.