Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions

08/19/2026

Extreme heat is more than an uncomfortable summer day. It’s a growing public health challenge, and some communities feel its impacts more than others.

Join FACS for our 10th Annual Climate Crisis Forum as we bring together Virginia-based experts, community leaders, and advocates to explore how extreme heat affects our health and what local solutions can help create safer, cooler communities.

We’ll discuss the public health impacts of rising temperatures and effective solutions, including trees, cool roofs, solar canopies, and more.

Thursday, October 22
6:15–8:45 PM
Van Metre Hall at George Mason University’s Mason Square Campus in Arlington

Come learn, connect, and be part of the conversation about building a more climate-resilient Northern Virginia.

Reserve your ticket:

How does extreme heat affect our health, and what can we do about it? Join FACS’ 10th annual Climate Crisis Forum to explore Northern Virginia’s urban heat islands and solutions including trees, cool roofs, and solar canopies.

08/18/2026

Exciting opportunity/ ATTN to City of Alexandria residents: The City of Alexandria Hub is excited to share that the City of Alexandria's Office of Climate Action is expanding its Plug In Alexandria and Step2Savings programs to houses of worship, offering free technical assistance and funding support for EV charging infrastructure and energy-saving upgrades. See upcoming Hub emails for more information.

08/17/2026

In partnership with Renew Rocktown and Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project, our City of Harrisonburg Hub hosted an Energy Check program, sharing simple, affordable ways to reduce energy use and lower utility bills with community members.

Participants were able to see a home energy audit demonstration and build their own energy efficiency kits to take home. The family-friendly event also connected residents with local energy-saving programs and resources available in the Shenandoah Valley!

08/13/2026

We had around 70 attendees at our See Watt's Possible: Energy Efficiency Showcase at Providence Presbyterian Church! ✨ 👏🏻 👏🏻

In partnership with Chesapeake Climate Action Network, these energy expos give residents a hands-on look at simple, affordable ways to make their homes more energy efficient from DIY weatherization tips and appliance upgrades to clean energy options.

💡 Interested in bringing an Energy Efficiency Showcase to your congregation? Contact [email protected] to learn how FACS can bring this program to your community.

08/10/2026

Welcome Our Newest Clergy Council Member: Rev. Dr. Janine Howard

Rev. Dr. Janine Howard has faithfully served as lead pastor at Fairlington United Methodist Church, Alexandria, since 2019. Her service in The United Methodist Church began in 1993 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She holds both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary and earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and History.

A dedicated advocate for creation care, Janine is a Virginia Certified Master Naturalist with the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and previously served on the Virginia Conference (UMC) Board of Church and Society Creation Care Committee. Two of the churches she has served received the Conference's Green Church Award. Outside of ministry, Janine enjoys exploring Virginia State Parks and completed the Virginia State Parks Trail Quest Challenge in 2023 with her canine companion, Kobi.

08/07/2026

"FACS is rooted in a powerful idea: people of faith and goodwill can come together to advance local solutions to the urgent moral challenge of climate change.” - Scott Peterson, FACS Co-Founder & Board Chair

In 2025, FACS expanded its advocacy, launched a Clergy Council, welcomed its first full-time Advocacy Director, and brought together experts to address data center growth and rising energy costs. Community support also grew, with individual giving increasing by 43% and congregational support by 83%.

See FACS’ 2025 Annual Report:

08/06/2026

Measurement Day Was a HUGE Success!

More than 80 dedicated volunteers across Northern Virginia collected temperature and humidity data on Measurement Day as part of phase one of FACS' Urban Heat Island Mapping Project, in partnership with George Mason University's Virginia Climate Center.

Check out our recap to see our volunteers in action and what's next, including how this work will continue at our upcoming Climate Crisis Forum.

See Our Volunteers in Action:

07/31/2026

See Watt’s Possible at our Energy Efficiency Showcase!

Join FACS and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network for a hands-on event featuring simple, affordable, and practical ways to make your home more energy efficient. Learn about DIY weatherization, energy-efficient appliance upgrades, clean energy options, and more.

Sunday, August 2 🕚 11:00 AM–12:00 PM 📍 Providence Presbyterian Church, Fairfax
Interested in bringing this program to your congregation? Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network

07/30/2026

🍃DMV residents looking to make a meaningful difference in our community can now apply for the 2026–2027 cohort of EcoAmbassadors. ⚡This climate and energy-centered volunteer training and community engagement program, co-managed by EcoAction Arlington and the Virginia Cooperative Extension, empowers everyday people to lead grassroots environmental efforts supporting the Eco-City Alexandria VA and Arlington County Virginia – Government climate initiatives. Applications are open online through August 31, 2026.

ℹ️ To help you learn more, EcoAction Arlington is hosting an informal summer socials. Come out to chat with Program Coordinators Bill Campbell and Kim Fredrich, and meet alumni from the past cohort at one of the sessions: 🗓️August 4 in Arlington (Rocklands BBQ). 🕛Both sessions run from 6:30–8:30 PM.

🔗Find more information and register online at https://ow.ly/JTRL50Zn4M5

07/30/2026

Thank you to DC News Now for joining our volunteers on Measurement Day and helping shine a light on the Urban Heat Island Mapping Project.

By riding along with volunteers as they collected temperature and humidity data across Northern Virginia, this segment helps show why the project matters. Extreme heat does not affect every neighborhood equally, and the data gathered will help identify local heat hotspots, inform future planning, and support more equitable, climate-resilient communities.

Watch the full segment to see this community effort in action!

DC News Now