"Pastors from across [Maryland] state gathered Tuesday in Baltimore to discuss ways predominantly black churches can use the pulpit and the power of faith communities to discuss climate change, energy efficiency and other environmental issues.

"The message doesn't resonate too quickly with the African-American community," said the Rev. Kip Banks, an Upper Marlboro resident and senior pastor of East Washington Heights Baptist Church in Washington.

"We focus on the election, we focus on poverty, we focus on Black Lives Matter," Banks said. "Equally important is the environment.""

Scott Dance reports for the Baltimore Sun October 26, 2016. [2]