This week’s tip is to replace new devices like phones less often, and our quote is a poem by the late Mary Oliver.
Think having a green corner in your church 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, ECN offers a free green-living tip and a theological quote that your parish can use. Just copy/paste the text below, and feel free to edit/shorten as your 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: Replace phones and devices less often
The modern world encourages us to throw things away when they break, and to always buy the latest model of technology. This level of consumption is not only counter to the Gospel; it also contributes to climate change. That’s because it takes a great deal of mining to get the 60+ metals required for a new phone. Building just one iPhone emits as much CO2 as running a refrigerator for a whole year!
What can you do to make your smartphone last longer? According to the New York Times, “Extend your phone’s life by fixing it when things break, cleaning the charging port and swapping out dying batteries. If you must replace your phone, recycle your old device and consider buying a used one. ” Other steps you can take include removing unnecessary apps and photos, using a screen protector, turning the phone off regularly, and keeping the phone secure (both physically and against viruses).
Episcopal Climate News quote of the week: Mary Oliver
“Poem of the One World”
This morning
the beautiful white heron
was floating along above the water
and then into the sky of this
the one world
we all belong to
where everything
sooner or later
is a part of everything else
which thought made me feel
for a little while
quite beautiful myself.
– Mary Oliver, 1935-2019. From A Thousand Mornings, Penguin Press, 2012.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases you make from the book link above.
Episcopal Climate News 
Leave a Reply