Remediating Barriers to Home Weatherization with Terri Eickel

In this episode of Mic Check, host Tyler Nelson speaks with Terri Eickel, Executive Director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN), Connecticut’s only faith-based environmental non-profit organization. Committed to justice and grounded in hope, IREJN seeks to inspire and equip Connecticut’s religious communities and their spiritual allies to protect our planet through education, engagement, and advocacy.

Topics covered in their conversation include:

• IREJN's origin story and how Terri came into this work
• the meaning and opportunity of interreligious coalition building
• distinctions between eco-justice (a.k.a. environmental justice) and environmentalism
• barriers to participation preventing vulnerable CT residents from home weatherization
• Residential Energy Preparation Services (REPS) – its success and the need to replenish funding
• the value of rapid solar deployment and turning houses of worship into climate resiliency centers

Find more information about Interreligious Eco-Justice Network at irejn.org or by contacting Terri at [e-mail].

Resources mentioned by Terri include:

• IREJN Energy Efficiency Small Grant Program
• Residential Energy Preparation Services (REPS)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• EnergizeCT

What is Mic Check?

WPKN’s ½-hour weekly public affairs and community discussion program. Our diverse roster of hosts presents a wide range of topics for discussion: focusing on global, national, and regional issues and their effect on the local Connecticut community. Just as the phrase “Mic Check” was used to mobilize people to create a human microphone during the Occupy Movement, this weekly program will amplify our local community’s many concerns and voices and bring them to the air-waves.