A few ways a congregation can more Earth-friendly.
- develop a mission statement together
- hold an Earth Day service
- introduce ecology to worship through hymns, prayers, scripture and bulletins
- undertake a formal environmental audit
- reduce energy by using energy-efficient light bulbs, turning off lights and turning down thermostats
- transportation accounts for 25 per cent of Canada's greenhouse-gas emissions: walk, bike, take a bus to church
- develop environmental sustainability criteria for purchasing supplies (e.g., consider locally available resources or products rather than imports)
- reduce consumption and waste, re-use as often as possible and recycle more than just paper. For example, wash dishes instead of using disposable cups for coffee and tea
- stop using pesticides and herbicides on church lawns
- convert open-space lawns to community gardens
- use non-chlorinated bleaches like Borax for difficult cleaning
- try David Suzuki's Nature Challenge (www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Challenge) or the One Tonne Challenge (www.climatechange.gc.ca)
– Janette McIntosh
