Think having a green corner in your parish newsletter or bulletin is a great idea, but don’t have time to research or write one? Episcopal Climate News is here to help! Every Monday, to help Christians live out our faith in daily life, ECN will offer a green-living tip and a theological quote that your parish can use in its weekly newsletter or bulletin. Just copy/paste the text below for your parish communications, and feel free to edit as space requires. Share this week’s column on Facebook.
Living on God’s Earth
By Episcopal Climate News, facebook.com/EpiscopalClimateNews
This week’s earth-friendly living tip: Switch to reusable water bottles!
The plastic water bottles that Americans use every year create an enormous amount of carbon pollution: The same level of fossil-fuel emissions as 535,000 cars. That’s equivalent to the energy it takes to power more than 250,000 homes! The world is also plagued by plastic pollution, which threatens more than 250 different species of wildlife every year. Even the water that fills these bottles is often taken out from under marginalized communities that need it more than the corporations that purchase it.
Imagine the difference it could make for God’s earth if we stopped using extra plastic items like water bottles, straws, and shopping bags. Changing our habits to avoid plastic water bottles doesn’t have to be hard. Put a reusable metal water bottle in your purse, car, or backpack and you’ll have one with you everywhere you go, ready to fill up at the next water fountain. At home, drink tap water: Use a water filter if needed. You can put a filter on the faucet, or get a pitcher with a built-in filter to keep in your fridge. (Bonus for the pitcher: You can add a couple lemons or limes for natural flavor!) These steps will save money, and help save God’s earth.
Episcopal Climate News quote of the week:
A prayer from the Most Rev. Winston Halapua, Archbishop of Polynesia [abridged]
“Loving and embracing God, we praise you for your gift of the water, which covers most of the surface of your planet Earth. We thank you for the flowing of the oceans into one another, and around the continents and islands. We thank you that the ocean is home for most species, small and great. The voice of waves speaks of your consistency, your love, and your care for creation. May we hear the cries of sea creatures endangered by the selfish greed of humanity. May there be deep listening to the voice of waters rising to engulf land. May ears be open to the groaning caused by our refusal to honor creation. May ears be open to the suffering caused by a love of power which destroys. We beat a loud drum, alerting people around the world to the danger of climate change, which threatens nature and human life. Help us to challenge short-sighted greed. Help us to address unjust structures and practices, and to change our relationship with creation to one of care. We have a vision. We have your guidance. We have the presence of the Risen One, whose power to love is greater than all the power of destruction. Grant that together, we may bring peace to our planet Earth. In the name of our God, creator, redeemer, and life-giving spirit. Amen.”
Source: https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/trinity-institute/2017/watch
Episcopal Climate News 
Leave a Reply