Read the latest tips and information provided by the Gloria Dei Caring for Creation team.
Greener Transportation
To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. ~ Colossians 1:29
In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. ~ James 2:17
When Earth was created, God entrusted us as its stewards and calls us to care for it and each other in all our actions. When we make environmentally-wise choices we are celebrating and respecting creation, giving thanks for Earth’s abundant resources, and being good stewards with what we’re given. Being good stewards of resources also means reducing transportation energy use.
The energy used to move from one point to another has a detrimental impact on our health as well as all living beings in God’s creation. Reducing the use of fossil fuels to get around by moving to clean alternatives is important to our survival and our family’s wellbeing. What can you do to reduce your use of fossil fuels through transportation?
Today, I can:
– Where feasible walk, bicycle, carpool or use public transit.
– Keep my vehicle’s tires properly inflated and the engine properly serviced.
In the future, I plan to:
– Purchase or lease my next family car with the highest Miles Per Gallon rating possible.
– Look seriously at purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle which are now readily available (and are a blast to drive!)
– When flying is absolutely necessary, I will buy carbon offsets.
– Consider taking a train.
Reduce Your Food Waste
And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like a garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced and are inhabited. ~ Ezekiel 36:35
When Earth was created, God entrusted us as its stewards and calls us to care for it and each other in all our actions. When we make environmentally-wise choices we are celebrating and respecting creation, giving thanks for Earth’s abundant resources, and being good stewards with what we’re given. Being good stewards of resources also means using only what we need – like being responsible about the food we produce and consume, and avoiding unnecessary waste.
Forty percent of all food produced in America is wasted, and households – not schools or restaurants – are the largest wasters along the food chain from farm to fork. Even if we compost all that, we still use a lot of water, land, energy, and labor to grow food we don’t eat. No one wants to waste food, and each of us can do more to be wise with our food waste.
Today, I can:
– Take the time to meal plan for the week so that I only buy the ingredients I need and can use large portions for more than one meal in the week.
– Make sure I store my food properly so it doesn’t spoil.
– Keep track of what I have in the house before I go grocery shopping so I don’t accidentally buy something I already have.
– Create an “Eat First” section of my fridge so items don’t get pushed to the back and new items get used before old ones are eaten up.
In the future, I plan to:
– Consider eating less meat and converting to more plant-based foods.
– Buy local produce where available and encourage growers to offer even produce that is not “perfect” and avoid throwing it away. Check out farmer’s markets in my community for local, fresh foods.
– Participate in a co-op or community supported agriculture (CSA) and get fresh produce.
– Compost responsibly to avoid sending food waste to landfills; ask my garbage hauler or city whether organics recycling pick-up is available or if there are drop-off sites in my neighborhood. If organics recycling isn’t available, I can learn how to start.
Trying a Plant-Based Diet
The heavens are yours, the earth is also yours; the world and all that is in it– you have founded them. ~ Psalms 89:11
When Earth was created, God entrusted us as its stewards and calls us to care for it and each other in all our actions. When we make environmentally-wise choices we are celebrating and respecting creation, giving thanks for Earth’s abundant resources, and being good stewards with what we’re given. Being good stewards of resources means using those resources wisely, especially in terms of our food supply.
Our current food system is rapidly deteriorating the planet – using resources faster than we can replenish them. In its current form, we will not be able to feed the over 9 billion people expected to inhabit the Earth by 2050. Our growing population makes food less and less secure for more people, and what we’re eating is pushing the planet towards a breaking point on climate change and deforestation. Our food system is responsible for over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, of which approximately 80% are associated with livestock production.
Today, I can:
– Reduce my meat consumption by having one meat-free day per week (lots of people try “Meatless Monday”), or one meat-free meal per day.
– Buy meat that is grass-fed or free range from local farmers.
– Learn more about the “foodprint,” which measures the environmental impacts of growing, producing, shipping, and storing food. foodprints.earthday.org
In the future, I plan to:
– Learn more about sustainable agricultural practices and support farmers who pursue them.
– Create a number of meat-free recipes that my family and I enjoy.
Source: Interfaith Creation Care of the South Metro is an organization of volunteers representing 15 faith communities in the South Metro. We collaborate to create content like this and to bring Creation-focused events and resources to all faith communities in the area.
