Environmental Priorities Network

Lillian Light, President

Environmental Priorities Network [EPN] is a program of the South Coast Interfaith Council, which is a 501C3 non-profit organization.  EPN was formed September 2001 and currently has over 200 registered contacts.  Our monthly meetings are the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. held at Pacific Unitarian Church Library, 5621 Montemalaga Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The purpose of the EPN is to network with organizations that promote health and natural values in the community and to educate the South Bay community about the importance of conservation at the local, national and global level.

The goals of the EPN include joining with local organizations in sponsoring environmental educational events, working for policies that will decrease pollution, and promoting environmental protection at the local, state, and national levels.

EPN has reached out to over 800 South Bay residents and environmental corporations since our first event Saving Spaceship Earth I on April 20, 2002 in addition to networking with South Bay elected officials through local meetings and featuring them as speakers at our events.

EPN Program Board Members

Lillian Light, President
Kathleen Jacecko, Vice President
Beth Muir, Secretary
Ollie Coker, Treasurer         
Jane Affonso
Bob Carr
Barbara Epstein
Virginia Hilker          
Al Shadbourne
Grace Walters
Ray Waters
Patricia Weimer

EPN Events and Networking History

November 14, 2008: Tackling the Water Crisis Forum, focus on world’s shrinking water resources and drought in the western states with a growing population.

June 2006, 07 & 08: Annual Solar Homes Tour added more homes to visit in Beach Cities:  Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, and Rancho Palos Verdes.

May 2006, 07 & 08:  Annual Energy Fair, Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho PV.

November 8, 2007: Our Endangered Ocean ~ How to Preserve It.  Featured Mark Gold, President of Heal the Bay and Michael Weber, Program Officer with the Resources Law Group based in Sacramento.

January – May 2007:  Cool Cities. EPN presented a proclamation to the city councils of Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, and Torrance for adopting US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

November 2006:  Cool Cities:  Hermosa Beach first city to adopt US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

June 1, 2006:  Cool Cities Project. Organizing members to present and educate South Bay/PV city councils for adopting the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

November 11, 2005: Dangers of Nuclear Energy, Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes.  EPN cosponsored with PUC Social Justice Committee and South Cost Interfaith Council.  Rochelle Becker, ExDir of Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility addressed nuclear site safety issues, California’s vulnerable earthquake active coast, and her recent trip to Ukraine for the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster.

May 13, 2005:  Climate Change: The State of Current Knowledge, Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes.  EPN cosponsored with PUC Social Justice Committee, and South Coast Interfaith Council.  Alex Hall, UCLA Asst. Professor, outlined the current state of knowledge, change-related issues about climate change, and the need to take action.

February 7, 2005: Patriotism is Conservation at Joslyn Community Center, Manhattan Beach.  EPN cosponsored with Volunteers and Organizations Improving the Community’s Environment (VOICE).  Paul Ostrove discussed the connection between terrorism and America’s insatiable appetite for gasoline, conservation necessity, alternative fuels, and renewable energy.

September 14, 2004:  Earth – Environment – Economics – Election at Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes.  EPN cosponsored with Beach Cities Democratic Club and Pacific Unitarian Church Social Justice Committee for a presentation lead by John Quigley on the environmental record of the current administration.

May 15, 2004:  Public Policy Conference on Clean Air at Wilmington Senior Citizen Center, Wilmington.  EPN cosponsored with Wilmington Coalition for A Safe Environment, Social Justice Committee of St. Philomena Church in Carson, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Coalition for Clean Air.

November 12, 2003:  Diesel Fuel Emissions, A Public Forum held at Carson Community Center, Carson.  EPN cosponsored with Sierra Club, ECO-LINK, Wilimington Coalition for A Safe Environment, St. Philomena Church Social Justice Committee, and Carson Environmental Commission

October 17, 2003:  Depleted Uranium: Wonder Weapon or Toxic Hazard?, held at  Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes.  EPN cosponsored with PUC Social Justice Committee, Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society, and South Coast Ecumenical Council.

April 26, 2003:  Saving Spaceship Earth II, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, San Pedro.  EPN sponsored the conference topics on Dangerous Nuclear Policies, Clean and Affordable Power, and panel discussion on Keeping our Communities Healthy and Sustainable.

February 16, 2003: Iraq:  Voices from the Streets held at Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes.  EPN cosponsored with PUC Social Justice Committee video presentation and discussion on foreign and domestic policy lead by Saul Landau.

October 15, 2002:  Nuclear Threats Haunt America Today held at Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.  EPN cosponsored with PUC Social Justice Committee, and South Coast Ecumenical Council.  Dr. Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director of the LA Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility discussed the threat of nuclear war and a critical review of President Bush’s nuclear policies.

May 2, 2002:  EPN pledged support to South Bay Cares’ opposition to building a golf course on a toxic waste dump in Palos Verdes.  EPN took part in meeting with Peninsula city council members, with Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, and with the SCAQMD.  That latter meeting took place in January 2004.

April 20, 2002:  Saving Spaceship Earth held at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.  Speakers from California Earth Corps, Global Green USA, Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy; Global Trade Watch; and United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union, Local 324, AFL-CIO covered topics on nuclear power, global warming, clean air, smart growth, and globalization and the environment.