We are all aware of Climate change and we know that our choices affect the sustainability of life on Earth. As God’s people we value the Creation, and make it part of our Christian commitment to treat our environment thoughtfully, for the good of all.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do – so here is Just One Thing you could do this week, to tread more lightly on the sacred space that is our beautiful and bountiful home planet.
- Leave the car at home! Can you walk, cycle, car-share or take public transport today?
- Buy local! It’s the season for Essex strawberries, raspberries and other locally produced food. Cutting down food miles is good for us and local businesses as well as the climate.
- Turn it off! Can washing be dried on the line rather than using a dryer? Can other energy-hungry appliances be used at off-peak times to reduce the load on power stations and make optimum use of renewables?
- Enjoy more plant-based food! Diets with more plant and less animal-based foods are both healthy and much less energy-costly to produce, especially when the fruit and veg are local!
- Holiday the calm way! When was the last time you enjoyed the journey? Some of the best travelling avoids airports – and the carbon costs of ferries and trains are far lower than air.
- Repair, re-use, and recycle! Sometimes it’s really better value to repair a garment or bag if the zip’s gone – the clothes repair shop in Eld Lane is excellent and keeps items out of landfill.
- Find it for free! Local online exchange sites such as Freecycle and Gumtree are amazing at connecting people who are in need with those who have goods to give away. Ask for help if you have not tried using them – it’s surprisingly easy!
- What’s my footprint? Try a carbon calculator to see how big your carbon footprint is. This tells you how much you contribute to global warming, and helps you reduce it. A good one is https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/
- Say no to plastic! Carry a refillable water bottle and cloth bag for shopping, to avoid single use purchases. As yet only a tiny fraction of single use plastic is really recycled – and it is 100% avoidable!
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