January Church Magazine Article

 

10 Green Resolutions for 2009*

 

1. Take some time to think about what really matters to you, what you really care about, what and who you love. Be aware that our consumerist society may want you to want very different things to what you really desire for yourself and your family.
   
2. Stay grounded! Book holidays in places that you can get to by surface transport. If we were meant to fly, God would have made us with wings.
   
3. Give your car a break! Use buses, trains or legs to get about. I know it's less convenient, but is convenience really what you value most? Try it once a week.
   
4. Swim against the tide and be downwardly mobile this year! If you change your car, shame your neighbours by buying a smaller one; if you need a new fridge or TV, consider getting a smaller one - they will use much less energy (the energy rating on a fridge is per m 3 , not per fridge).
   
5. Pause before you buy. Anything bought new takes energy to make and transport and will probably require land-filling something to make room for it. Seen something you think you need? Wait five days and go back if you still need it.
   
6. Insulate - loft, cavity walls, hot water cylinder, drafty gaps. I know it's boring, but book a weekend with a buddy and do it. Ask your gas company or the energy savings trust about grants. And the cheapest insulation is a vest and a jumper.
   
7. Dump the tumble-drier.
   
8. Cook meat only once or twice a week. I know, I know, your spouse will sue, but think back to when you were young. Did you use to consume so much meat? We used to have a roast dinner on the Sunday and it used to do cold meat on the Monday and a casserole or soup on the Tuesday! And we didn't know then what we know now about the impact of livestock on our planet (18% of greenhouse gas emissions). OK then, try meat and dairy-free once a week (there's some great vegan recipes on the web), buy British Organic meat and halve the meat portions that you serve, and fill up on local, seasonal vegetables and potatoes.
   
9. Fit solar panels to heat your water or/and photo-voltaics to make electricity on your roof, or a heat pump to heat your house. Grants are available but the pay-back time is still very long. You will do this sort of thing because you want your home to be kinder to the earth, not to save money.
   
10. Be prophetic. We can all be prophets, and we don't have to take all our clothes off and eat honey coated locusts. We can be prophetic by speaking out about what is wrong in our society and by envisioning what is right. It's actually our democratic duty, as well as our Christian responsibility. So write to your MP, join an environmental campaign group, go on a demonstration or take part in acts of civil disobedience against the building of new coal plants.

*If short of space change the number and choose the ones you like best!

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